TRABUCO CANYON : Development Vote Likely to Be Delayed

A long-awaited vote on the future development of about 6,500 acres of Trabuco Canyon, which was to be taken by the County Board of Supervisors today, will probably be put off for at least a month.

In a letter to board colleagues released Monday, Board Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez, whose district includes the canyon area, asked for a delay in the vote, saying the board “should not move hastily.”

Vasquez said in his letter that the development plan “provides a sound basis” for future planning in the canyon region but that he wants county staff to look more closely at “how to preserve significant open space” in the area.

“I want to make sure I understand the plan,” Vasquez said in an interview.

After nearly 50 public hearings in recent years, the county Planning Commission late last month approved a plan authorizing construction of more than 2,700 new homes in one of the county’s last largely undeveloped areas.

The plan has drawn fire from some environmentalists and local residents who fear overdevelopment of the pristine area.

In his letter, Vasquez said the plan needs more “precise” language and “clarification” on a number of issues, including commercial use around Cook’s Corner, standards for future development and traffic improvements.

The plan is on the supervisors’ agenda for a vote today. But Vasquez said he will move to have the vote rescheduled for Dec. 3, and an aide said, “There are all indications that it will be continued.”