Rancho San Juan Apartments Project 1
Project Description: Rancho San Juan Development, LLC requests approval to develop 100 apartment units on a 4.6 acre portion of an existing 9.7 acre parcel. The project proposes 26 affordable apartment units, 10% of the total of 255 homes in the Planned Community, for qualifying moderate, low, and very low income households. The remaining 74 units would be market rate. The proposed 26 affordable units include 11 very low income units, 7 low income units, and 8 moderate income units. The 18 lower income units comprise less than 20% of the total number of residential units, the threshold at which the project would be subject to the California Housing Accountability Act (Government Code Section 65589.5). 2
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Background: On June 21, 2012, the initiated consideration of a General Plan Amendment for the development of 100 unit apartment complex with an affordable component. This project was introduced to the on December 3, 2013 and at that time, staff supported the Planning Commission s recommendation of denial based on the Commission s findings with respect to the project s potential traffic impacts and effectiveness/feasibility of proposed improvements. Following the December 3, 2013, meeting, the applicant s traffic consultant, Stantec, conducted additional traffic impact analysis to support the proposed street improvements (signalizing the project entrance and restriping Vista Montana). 5
General Plan Housing Element: Housing Element Goal 1: Encourage the provision of a wide range of housing by location, type of unit, and price level to meet the current and future housing needs in the. Housing Element Goal 4: The will facilitate the development of rental housing for very low and lower income households, assist in creating ownership opportunities for moderate income households, and attempt to preserve the affordability of existing restricted units. The General Plan Land Use Element s Planned Community standards for Whispering Hills Estates Rancho San Juan presently allow low density residential housing and would be amended to allow multi family housing. 6
Stantec Traffic Analysis: To provide additional queue capacity for vehicles eastbound on Vista Montana, the project proposes to restripe the eastbound intersection create two dedicated left turn lanes and a shared through/right turn lane at La Pata Avenue. A proposed traffic signal at the project entrance, opposite Via Granada, would assist residents of both the proposed apartments and the single family neighborhoods to exit during the high school peak periods. The signal phasing would be coordinated with the La Pata Avenue signal to minimize the disruption of traffic flow along Vista Montana, but would be timed to allow pedestrians to cross the street. 7
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Emergency Access: 9
Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees At its Wednesday, January 8,, meeting, the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees adopted Resolution 1314 31 opposing the proposed project and recommending denial. 10
Recommendation: 1.A. Adopt a Resolution certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report; and, 1.B. Adopt a Resolution approving General Plan Amendment 12 02; and, 1.C. Introduce an Ordinance Approving Rezone 12 01, An Amendment to the Whispering Hills Estates Comprehensive Development Plan; and, 1.D. Adopt a Resolution conditionally approving Architectural Control 12 13 and Grading Plan Modification 12 01. 11