City Manager's Update, March 11, 2012

: On Feb. 28, the Planning Commission, on a 5-1 vote, recommended approval of the downtown plan and other documents that would usher the plan into law. The document will be ready for City Council consideration on April 3.

: The owner intends to be open for the and has permits for a new roof, ADA restroom, painting, and signs. The application to expand the building is still being pursued through the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission.

: The staff has received two formal proposals, one for a wine-tasting facility and another from an artist facility. The item was reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Commission on Feb. 28. The Open Space, Trails & Equestrian Commission considered the item on March 5.

: The staff has been researching other cities’ provisions and scheduled a public hearing for Planning Commission review on March 27.

: The three model homes are complete; a precise grading permit was issued for 16 residential lots, and under-slab utilities have been installed for the Phase 1 homes. A temporary sign program will be reviewed by the Planning Commission on March 13.

: A rough grading permit was issued for 132 detached condominiums on 28 acres south of San Juan Creek Road adjacent to Calle Entrado.

DEL OBISPO STREET BRIDGE WIDENING: The contractor worked on construction of the bridge deck and deck overhang forms. Workers sandblasted residual concrete off of the rebar sticking out of the constructed bent caps and diaphragms. They also installed inserts for dry utility hangers, which will be set in the deck concrete. The project completion date is June 2012.

EAST OPEN SPACE LEMON GROVE SITE: The construction of irrigation mainline pipe is now complete. Pressure testing and inspections have been conducted and the mainline pipe is now service-ready. Underground power to support the irrigation system is near completion, pending the installation of meter pedestal. Installation of irrigation wires, lateral pipes, and emitters at each proposed tree location is currently in progress, with the balance of equipment such as valves, strainers, flow sensors, fertilizer injector, and irrigation controller to be installed upon receipt from the supplier. The project will be completed mid-March.

ILLEGAL CONCRETE DUMPING ON SAN JUAN CREEK ROAD: An illegal dumping took place on San Juan Creek Road, where a truck had placed a load of broken concrete pieces on the side of the road. The maintenance crew had the materials removed and disposed of properly. 

COMMISSION VACANCY: The City Council declared a vacancy on the Open Space, Trails, and Equestrian Commission. The commission’s duties include to review and make recommendations to the City Council and/or Planning Commission with regards to the city's Open Space, and Equestrian and Recreation Trails Plan as identified in the city’s general plan for development; standards for private and public recreational facilities including bicycle, hiking and equestrian trails, and equestrian facilities for the boarding, training and raising of horses; preservation and/or acquiring additional open space; planning for land use and infrastructure; and to undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the City Council. Applications are due to the City Clerk by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s office or on the city’s website at www.sanjuancapistrano.org.