SAN CLEMENTE : Council OKs 62-Acre Development Plan

A development company cleared a major hurdle this week in its efforts to build 217 single-family houses in the Rancho San Clemente community.

In a 3-1 vote, with one member absent, the City Council approved a 62-acre development plan from Richland Interests that includes the 217 homes, a two-acre park and more than 14 acres of open space.

City officials say the development plan is less dense than an earlier development proposal for the same property in 1988. That plan included 253 houses and never received final approval because of concerns involving open space, architectural designs and obstructed views of ridgelines from other parts of San Clemente.

In addition to lower density, the new plan provides for larger lot sizes, increased open areas and more space between houses, officials said.

“The changes that have been made are very beneficial,” council member Joseph Anderson said. “It looks like a well-designed project to me.”

Councilman Thomas Lorch voted against the latest proposal and said he still has concerns about such things as ridgeline views and setbacks.

If built, the new development would become home to about 716 people. Construction would take about three years to complete. The 217 homes would range in size from 1,900 to 2,648 square feet and sell at prices ranging from $212,000 to $291,000.

Rancho San Clemente is located in the backcountry of east San Clemente, off Avenida Pico.

Richland Interests must still receive final approval on the development plan. Among conditions of final approval, the company must help pay for traffic signals at both ends of the Avenida Vista Montana loop at Calle del Cerro.