Council unanimously initiates study to consider BMW dealership and housing at La Novia site

The San Juan Capistrano City Council voted unanimously to initiate a study for a General Plan amendment and municipal code changes that would allow a proposed project at the District of La Novia site to include a 65,000‑square‑foot BMW dealership and 96 for‑sale homes, replacing previously approved retail, office and residential entitlements.

Isaac Mireles, senior planner, told the council the item before them was only to start the required studies and technical analyses. If the council initiates the amendment, staff will proceed with traffic, parking and environmental analyses, circulate CEQA materials and present recommendations to the Planning Commission before any final council decision. Mireles emphasized the initiation “is not being approved tonight” and that project entitlements and environmental review would come later.

Public commenters raised concerns that changing the previously voter‑reviewed approvals would eliminate planned retail and affordable units, place a dealership adjacent to future homes, and alter the original community expectations established in the 2010/2011 referendum. Supporters and other council members noted market changes that have reduced demand for retail and said a mixed outcome could yield revenue and lower residential density compared with earlier approvals.

Next steps: staff will prepare comparative traffic and parking studies, draft CEQA documentation, and return to the Planning Commission and City Council with findings and recommendations.