Council keeps Design Review Subcommittee process and asks staff to prepare targeted zoning cleanups

San Clemente’s City Council heard a lengthy public record on May 20 about the role of the Design Review Subcommittee (DRC) in the plan-review process. Architects, planning commissioners and longtime design-review volunteers told council the subcommittee provides in-depth, technical and peer-to-peer review that improves projects before they reach the Planning Commission and that removing or weakening the subcommittee would slow the process and reduce design quality.

After public testimony from current and former Planning Commission members and architects, staff presented a packet of potential zoning-code cleanups and streamlining options (Exhibit A). Councilmembers said they did not want to dismantle the DRC but directed staff to initiate a zoning amendment process limited to code cleanups and batch amendments. Council also asked staff to study one specific option—making DRC review optional for applicants—and return with recommendations. The council adopted a resolution initiating the zoning-amendment work and found the initiation exempt from CEQA. The vote was unanimous.

Supporters of preserving the DRC said the subcommittee’s early, technical review reduces rework and appeals because applicants are able to address issues before a full public hearing. Several commissioners and design professionals urged the council to proceed cautiously and to prioritize transparency and clear submittal requirements to reduce applicant uncertainty.

Staff will prepare draft code amendments addressing the Exhibit A items and will include analysis on whether and how to implement an optional DRC pathway. Any zoning amendments will go to the Planning Commission for a recommendation before returning to council for final decisions.