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Rancho Santa Margarita council approves final design, easement prep for Veterans Monument
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Summary
The City Council unanimously authorized staff to proceed with plans and specifications and to prepare an easement with Sam Lark for a Veterans Monument behind the plaza of flags, approving a refined design that moves the memorial away from olive-tree roots and sets a $70,000 budget estimate.
The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to advance the Veterans Monument project, directing staff to proceed with plans and specifications and to prepare an easement agreement with Sam Lark for construction.
City staff said the monument proposal, initiated in 2024, was revised after Sanlark (transcript spelling varies: "Sam Lark"/"Samlark"/"Sammark") staff and their Landscape and Facilities Enhancement Committee (LFEC) expressed concern that the original placement would have damaged the root systems of two olive trees. The design was reoriented, moved roughly 18 feet closer to City Hall and away from the drip line, and straightened; the revised rendering shows a monument roughly 15 feet long, 4 feet high and 2 feet wide, with higher stone veneer, lighting and benches.
Wilson Loon, the project's principal engineer and project manager, said the plaques from a 2015 scout-constructed veterans monument in the same area would be salvaged and incorporated into the new installation. Staff estimated hard construction costs at $50,000 plus $20,000 in soft costs and contingency for a total project cost of $70,000 and said work is contingent on an easement with Sam Lark. "We anticipate the completion of the construction in May 2026," Loon said.
Two veterans who spoke in support framed the monument as an enduring local place for reflection. Retired Chief Petty Officer Jim Clements told council, "Being a veteran is earned. It can never be taken away," and VFW Commander Harry Steelman said local memorials provide a quiet place to remember those who didn't return.
Council members asked staff to consider additional emblems and name placement. Council Member Figueroa, who led the project effort, said she and staff will host a veterans meeting to discuss name placement and details; the council encouraged placing POW/MIA recognition and discussed listing distinguished local veterans on the monument's rear face near benches.
Council Member Figueroa moved to approve staff's recommendation to proceed with bidding documents and to prepare the easement agreement with Sam Lark; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps: staff will draft the easement agreement with Sam Lark, return technical plans for permitting and advertisement for bids, and hold the veterans’ meeting (announced for Nov. 19) to discuss name-placement details. Construction timing remains contingent on an executed easement and final permitting.
