Planning Decision on 3-Story Ban Likely Postponed Again

After , the Planning Commissioners were set to deliberate Wednesday on whether to recommend a three-story building ban in San Clemente's historic downtown area.

A planning official told the Orange County Register, however, staffers are asking to postpone a decision until Sept. 19.

Those advocating the ban are led by the , who assert that allowing three-story buildings would dwarf historical structures and ruin the "village character" of the downtown.

The Historical Society has started an online petition in support of their efforts.

and architects, who argue that there is already a rigorous permitting process in place for any expansion project. An arbitrary three-story ban removes design flexibility and could eventually make the downtown look worse, they said.

The recommendation, part of the city's General Plan process that will guide development in the city for the next decade, will still have to be adopted by the San Clemente City Council before it becomes law.

The Planning Commission meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 100 Ave. Presidio.

This article was updated with information about the likely postponement as of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.