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Council approves monument sign design direction, requests bids for natural and faux options
Summary
After extended debate over materials, scale and cost, the council unanimously approved the Design Review Commission concept with direction to staff to solicit bids for both natural‑material and faux‑material options for two gateway monument signs, to add 'EST. 1776' on the face, and to use porcelain pots; staff will return with contract award recommendations.
San Juan Capistrano — The City Council voted unanimously Feb. 3 to accept the Design Review Commission’s monument sign concept for two gateway locations and to direct staff to solicit construction bids with two price options (natural materials vs. faux finishes) and to incorporate the legend "EST. 1776" on the sign face and porcelain planters in the design.
Acting community services manager Paul Garcia said the city had previously appropriated funding across budget cycles to design and build two monument signs and that staff recommends amending the existing agreement with RJM Design Group to finish construction drawings and bid documents. Garcia described two concept styles — a more traditional, mission‑style option that used brick and a contemporary option with a smooth plaster finish — and presented a revised design that incorporated Design Review Commission feedback. He called out key dimensions: "The sign would have a width of 11 feet 10 inches or just about 12 feet, and the overall height would peak at 7 feet 9 inches," and said the island where a sign would sit is roughly 17 feet wide.
Council discussion focused on material longevity, safety and budget. Several members said they favored natural stone or brick at the Ortega Highway gateway to match existing low walls and to create a lasting entrance, while acknowledging a budget premium. Other council members emphasized safety and maintenance, supporting a breakaway faux core used by nearby cities to limit damage and maintenance burdens if a vehicle strikes a median sign. The city manager explained the current design contract amendment under consideration increased the design scope and that the $114,000 figure cited by staff represented the design cost being requested from a total $300,000 program budget; staff also noted a $71,250 amendment figure clarified earlier in the presentation.
A resident speaker urged using premium materials at Veterans Park because children will climb on the sign; another resident suggested showing cost comparisons for faux vs. real stone. Council members agreed to have staff solicit two bid packages so the council could compare costs at contract award.
Final motion and result: The mayor moved to approve the DRC design with the existing dimensions, request two prices (natural materials vs. faux finishes), add the text "EST. 1776" on the face of the sign and specify porcelain or mission clay pots; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff will solicit bids and return to council for contract award and appropriation adjustments as needed.
Next steps: Staff will finalize construction drawings, solicit bids from qualified sign contractors, and return with contract‑award recommendations and cost comparisons for natural vs. faux options.
