San Clemente Council agrees to hold public hearing on Cars and Coffee after community split over off-site behavior

The San Clemente City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday to schedule a public hearing to consider modifications to the conditional use permit that authorizes the weekly Cars and Coffee event at the Outlets of San Clemente, after months of public complaints about off-site speeding and noise.

The council’s action gives staff authority to set a noticed hearing (including full public notice and opportunity for comment) to review whether the event continues to meet the findings required by the San Clemente Municipal Code for approved uses and the specific permit conditions for CUP 2023-28.

Supporters of South OC Cars and Coffee told the council the weekly Saturday gathering draws thousands of visitors, sustains downtown restaurants and retailers, and functions as a longtime family-oriented community event. Simon Ware, who identified himself as a founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, said volunteers and signs are used to manage behavior and that the group regularly works with law enforcement and removes repeat violators.

"This is the largest weekly free community event in the county," Ware said. "It doesn't cost…