Howard Hart

Distrito La Novia Development: BMW Dealership and 95 Homes

About $4 million in one-time city fees, roughly $2 million a year in sales tax from BMW, and a $1.2 million affordable housing in-lieu fee.

Rosenbaum Road vacation and land sale to St. John Chrysostom Church

The city received $2,500 for the parcel sale while spending funds on surveying and legal notices.

Paving the Camino La Croix trail for emergency evacuation

He suggests reallocating funds from the public improvement budget — no cost estimate given.

Mission Hacienda Plaza sign program and downtown design character

No direct city cost; the private applicant bears project expenses and pays a flat fee under the city's older sign program incentive.

Norte Fire Response and Erosion Control

The city forgoes plan check and inspection fee revenue to speed fire recovery for affected homeowners.

Legacy Ranch Project at Northwest Open Space

Unknown — the negotiation covers the price the city might pay for the property.

Compass Energy Storage Project litigation

The 90-day litigation stay pauses the city's legal costs while it decides whether to keep pursuing the suit.

50-unit senior affordable housing on Don Juan Avenue

The city bought the site for $2.35 million in housing in-lieu funds; additional dedicated housing funds may be recommended at the July 21 hearing.

French Hotel project and historic adobe restoration

The developer says the hotel will generate transient occupancy tax, sales tax, and property tax while drawing customers to nearby shops and restaurants.

Calle Jardin / Alipaz Street property negotiation

Any eventual sale or lease price for the parcel isn't public yet.

Camino Capistrano Freeway Noise and Traffic Safety

None for the city; relies on Caltrans study.

Appointment of Matisse Reischl as City Manager

Reichl's salary will be set in a forthcoming employment agreement; Siegel serves through December 31, 2026.

Ortega Highway Caltrans Lane Expansion Impacts

None for the city; relies on Caltrans study.

New Parking Management Positions

Up to $50,000 more for the consultant now, plus enforcement staffing costs to be quantified in the upcoming implementation plan.

San Juan Creek Road right-of-way acquisition

The purchase price is still being negotiated, so the cost to the city isn't public yet.

Ortega Highway noise impacts on El Nido Mobile Estates

None for the city; relies on Caltrans study.

Anticipated litigation — significant exposure (2 items)

Unknown; significant exposure to litigation is disclosed but amounts are confidential.

Los Rios Plaza uses expansion study (CA 26-001)

The applicant projects additional sales tax revenue for the city from expanded commercial activity.

Vehicle miles traveled as the sole significant unavoidable impact

The project sits next to the train station and the 91 bus line, giving guests and employees alternatives to driving.

Shared Fire Hydrant for Pharmacist Farms Area

Consent Calendar (balance: E.1, E.2, E.3, E.5, E.7)

E.4 Adoption of Ordinance — Code Amendment (CA) 25-005 and Third Amendment to Development Agreement (DA) 26-002, Distrito La Novia

E.6 Waiver of City Permit and Impact Fees for Norte Fire Structures

D.1 Legacy Ranch Project — EIR Certification, CA 25-001, CUP 26-004, and Lease Agreement

Approval of City Council Minutes - Regular Meeting (Executive Session) of October 20, 2026

Approval of City Council Minutes - Regular Meeting of October 20, 2026

Approval of Consent Calendar (Item C.1 only)

General Plan Conformance — Rosenbaum Road and Trabuco Creek Road Vacations and Surplus Property Disposition (C.2)

Sign Program (SP) 26-013 — Mission Hacienda Plaza (E.1)

Distrito La Novia Project Approval (Resolutions 26-10-20-01 through 26-10-20-04)

Extension of Meeting Past 9:00 p.m. (Policy 128)

Consent Calendar Items E1-E12

Ratification of Local Emergency Proclamation — Norte Fire (Resolution 26-10-20-07)

Successor Agency Consent Calendar (B1-B3)

Motion to Read Ordinance by Title Only

Approval of City Council Minutes - Regular Meeting (Executive Session) of October 6, 2026

Approval of City Council Minutes - Regular Meeting of October 6, 2026

New Development Application Status Report (440.10)

Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the City’s Municipal Code Regarding Filling of Council Vacancies and Finding Said Action Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, Sections…

Appointment to the Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commission (110.20)

adopt RESOLUTION 26-10-20-01 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, CONSIDERING AND APPROVING A SECOND ADDENDUM TO THE CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPA

Distrito La Novia Project Approval (Resolutions 26-10-20-01 through 26-10-20-04)

Stated the project is a trade-off but right for the city; traffic drops 53% versus the approved plan.

find actions categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption); RESOLUTION 26-10-06-01 adopted entitled, “A RESOLU

Resolutions of Intention to Vacate Rosenbaum Road and Trabuco Creek Road and Sell City Property

Downtown Parking Implementation Plan — Near-Term Recommendations (F.1.a)

Supported the items that advance the resident parking permit discussion in phase two, while voicing concern about paid parking mission creep.

receive a presentation from Dixon Resources Unlimited; and staff directed to implement the plans’ near-term recommendations, including: (1) Update Municipal Code language; (2) Hire dedicated parking s

approve consent calendar items E1 through E7, as recommended by staff, with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused from item E6

Consent Calendar (Items E.1 through E.9)

to approve consent calendar items E1 through E9, as recommended by staff with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused from E9.

adopted RESOLUTION 26-07-21-01 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY A

Tea House on Los Rios AUP extension (AUP 21-001)

to adopted RESOLUTION NO. 26-06-16-10 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA MAKING A FINDING OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE OR NECESSITY REQUIRED BY THE CAL

to allocate $300,000 from the Parks fund to conduct remedial improvements during the remaining summer months at the Marco Forster Sports Fields.

Allocation of $300,000 for Marco Forster Sports Fields improvements

Believes drawing on reserve funds before completing the field plan is premature and fiscally unsound.

Acceptance of Works of Improvement and Notice of Completion — Tract 19063, The Farm (Lennar Homes)

approve consent calendar items E1 through E8, as recommended by staff.

direct staff to communicate City Council’s support of Senate Bills 936 (Nitrous Oxide Containers), 1167 (Electric Bicycles “E-Bikes”) And Assembly Bill 1569 (E-Bike Safety Training) to the bill author

authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to the current Professional Services Agreement with LSA Associates Inc. (LSA) for revisions to the project description and Environmental Impact Re

find the recommended vacation action categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3), 15301 and 15305; find the recommended property sale

Rosenbaum Road/Trabuco Creek Road vacation and property sale — public hearing continued

Consent calendar items E.1 through E.8 approved

Legacy Ranch EIR amendment with LSA Associates (Item E.9)

FY 2026-27 operating budget and seven-year capital improvement program — direction to staff

Support for SB 936, SB 1167 and AB 1569

adopted City Council Policy 139 establishing procedures for disruption of telephonic or internet service during public meetings

adopt RESOLUTION 26-05-05-02 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA INITIATING CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 26-003, A STUDY TO AMEND THE CITY’S LAND USE CODE

approve the reading and introduction of an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AMENDING THE CITY’S LAND USE CODE REGULATING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT

Introduction of ADU Ordinance (CA 26-002)

Consent Calendar (Items E1–E12)

Initiation of Code Amendment CA 26-003 — Lodging Prohibition Study (Resolution 26-05-05-02)

Believes the ambiguity is a citywide problem that should be fixed in the land use code and all specific plans, not just Los Rios

approve consent calendar items E1 through E12, as recommended by staff

Adoption of City Council Policy 139 (SB 707 Meeting Disruption Procedures)

review faux and natural material samples for construction of monument signs; natural materials selected a preferred material; additional funding of $250,000 for construction, approved; and actions fou

approve consent calendar items E1 through E7, E9 through E13, as recommended by staff, with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recusing from items E7 and E12.

approve the reading and introduction of an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVEING CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 25-004 TO AMEND MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 7-8.

Introduction of Wireless Facilities Ordinance (CA 25-004)

Consent Calendar (Items E1-E7, E9-E13)

Unidos South OC License Amendment (E8) — Pulled for Discussion

Rosenbaum Road/Trabuco Creek Road Vacation and Property Sale Resolutions (F1a)

find the actions categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption); RESOLUTION 26-04-21-01 adopted entitled, “A RE

authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the License Agreement with Unidos South OC, Inc., for expanded use of the city-owned TJ Meadows building located At 31421 La Matanza Street; an

find Public Convenience or Necessity, as required by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, to allow for the on-premises consumption of beer, wine and distilled spirits within a prop

Monument Sign Materials and $250,000 Funding (F2a)

Concerned about faux stone fading over years and prices rising.

Public Convenience or Necessity Finding — Capo Cigar Lounge Type 57 License (F3a)

Believes public convenience or necessity is an unworkable standard and the private club format is acceptable with membership constraints.

Approval of WISE Agreement with County of Orange and updated solid waste rates

approve consent calendar items E1 through E8, as recommended by staff.

approved the Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE) Agreement with the County of Orange for municipal solid waste disposal rates and services; the City Manager authorized to execute the agreeme

approve the reading and introduction of an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVEING CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 21-006 TO AMEND MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 1-8.

Introduction of ordinance approving Code Amendment (CA) 21-006 — Housing Element Implementation Code Updates

Consent calendar items E1 through E8