San Juan Capistrano certifies EIR, approves El Camino Specific Plan amendment for housing; tables Performing Arts Center entitlements

San Juan Capistrano — The City Council on Sept. 16 certified the final environmental impact report for the El Camino Specific Plan amendment and introduced an ordinance to change zoning and land‑use designations that will allow a mixed‑use development and future performing arts facility in the downtown area.

The council’s action advanced the Forrester and El Camino mixed‑use project — a private development proposing 95 residential units, a clubhouse, pool and commercial space supported by 173 parking spaces — while tabling several entitlements tied to a separate Performing Arts Center proposed on city‑owned parcels within Historic Town Center Park. The tabling leaves time for additional design review and public comment on the theater’s architecture, park layout and the land‑use transaction necessary to place a building on city property.

Why it matters: The specific plan amendment would expand the existing 1.6‑acre El Camino specific plan area by roughly 5.6 acres to create a 7.3‑acre planning area that encompasses private parcels proposed for the mixed‑use project and five city‑owned parcels where the Performing Arts Center is envisioned. Staff said the mixed‑use and performance uses are intended to be complementary: daytime commercial and office uses would help supply shared evening parking for the theater, and the development aims to…