Urban Development up for Discussion at Meeting

Urban development and historical preservation as called for in San Clemente's draft Centennial General Plan will be up for discussion at Wednesday afternoon's planning commission meeting.

Controversial zoning decisions about downtown building heights won't be discussed Wednesday, according to the agenda reports, but will be at a later meeting.

The general plan, a massive package of zoning, land use and other decisions that will shape development in San Clemente for decades, is in the final public review phase. The chapters of the plan on the agenda for discussion at the 4 p.m. planning commission meeting include the Historic Preservation and Economic Development Elements, and portions of the Draft Urban Design Element.

Building heights will likely come up at the May 22 general plan meeting under the Land Use Element discussion, according to the agenda report. The San Clemente Historical Society has led the faction in town calling for two-story building height limits in the historic downtown area, while the business and architectural community has called such a measure too blunt an instrument to control density.

The Wednesday meeting is the first of several during which residents have another chance to voice their opinions on the general plan before it goes to the San Clemente City Council for final approval.

The San Clemente Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. at the San Clemente Civic Center, 100 Avenida Presidio.

The Draft Plan, Initial Environmental Study and Notice of EIR Preparation are available on the City’s website.