City Council Meeting: Comment Tuesday on Plaza Banderas Agreement

Residents have the opportunity during the San Juan Capistrano City Council meeting Tuesday night to air their opinions on a draft development agreement with the developers of the Plaza Banderas hotel.

Although an ad-hoc committee composed of former councilmen had input on specific elements of the agreement, such as the fiscal and economic impacts, the Planning Commission has asked the council to deny the agreement, .

The 124-room hotel was approved by the city council in mid-October. It will be built on a 3-acre parcel on the northeast corner of Ortega Highway and El Camino Real.

The commission is concerned about the following, and more, if the draft were to be approved as it's currently written:

• The city manger would have the authority to approve minor changes, adjustments or clarifications to the agreement without input from the City Council.
• If the developers default on the agreement, the city may terminate the contract, but if the city defaults, the developer may not only cancel the contract, but also “pursue any other remedy available at law or equity…”
• Airspace, space above or below a parcel, will be given to the developers if the city does not accept an easement dedication from the developers during the life of the agreement.

Also on Tuesday, the City Council will reconvene as the governing board for the redevelopment agency to discuss its future, given Gov. Jerry Brown's  to annihilate redevelopment agencies statewide. 

The council is also slated to listen to a presentation on the project to extend carpool lanes from Pacific Coast Highway to the Avenida Pico interchange in both the north and south directions on the 5 freeway.

The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To view the entire agenda, click here.