Review Begins for 100-Unit Apartments

The environmental review process for a 100-unit apartment complex planned for next to San Juan Hills High School began Wednesday night.

San Juan Capistrano city officials held the first public meeting to discuss how the project, dubbed the Rancho San Juan Apartments, will be scrutinized for its potential environmental impacts and make its way to an ultimate decision before the City Council.

That process could take as long as nine to 12 months, said Keeton Kreitzer, a consultant hired by the city to oversee the environmental review, which will include close analysis on everything from air quality to noise to soils studies to traffic impacts.

“Traffic has been a huge issue in San Juan,” Kreitzer said, promising a “rigorous” review.

Here’s what we know about the proposed apartment complex on a 4.6-acre parcel in its current state so far:

• 100 units
• 26 to be affordable housing 
• The applicant is Woodbridge Pacific Group of Mission Viejo
• The location is the northeast corner of Vista Montana and La Pata Avenue, on the right as one turns the high school, across from the new Valinda project
• 284 parking spaces, 100 of those in garages
• 68 two-bedroom
• 32 one-bedroom units

The public is invited to submit any concerns or questions about the project to city Associate Planner Nick Taylor at ntaylor@sanjuancapistrano.org.