LAGUNA NIGUEL : Plan Unit Deadlocks Over Smith’s Center

After hearing three hours of testimony, the Planning Commission deadlocked over the fate of a plan that would put a sprawling Smith’s Food & Drug Center on one of the city’s few remaining premium commercial parcels.

A straw vote Tuesday night on the proposal to build the 77,754-square-foot center ended with two commissioners in favor and two opposed. The fifth commissioner, Connie Axen, abstained, citing a conflict of interest because of her husband’s business ties to the project.

More than 120 residents packed the chambers and mingled outside during a discussion of the project, which has spurred a sizable community backlash and criticism from the city manager.

Richard Motske, an organizer of the community protest, viewed the commission tie as a victory.

“I think we should be buoyed by the vote,” said Motske, for 13 years the owner of a pharmacy across the street from the proposed center. “It was just the first round of a 10-round fight, and I think the residents won the first round.”

For residents, the debate has centered on whether the community needs, or can even sustain, another large grocery store. City Manager Tim Casey has spoken out against the Smith’s Center design, calling it “a big box” that does not fulfill General Plan intentions for the high-profile, 7.27-acre parcel.

The General Plan identifies a mixed commercial office and retail usage for the parcel, which is on the northwest corner of La Paz and Aliso Woods roads, less than a block away from City Hall. Casey said earlier this week that the 24-hour discount center falls short of the high expectations for the land.

Planning commissioners continued a decision on the Smith’s Center proposal to their June 16 meeting. City Atty. Terry Dixon said the commission will then try to break the stalemate or, more likely, “seek to conclude their involvement with the project” by remaining at an impasse.

Dixon said the commissioners seemed steadfast in their respective positions, which makes it likely that the final decision will be made by the City Council.