Refugee From North Makes Good in San Juan : Lifestyle: Former mayor of Manhattan Beach has gained many influential friends and large stake in South County future.

Steve Nordeck calls homespun San Juan Capistrano “my remedy for Manhattan Beach.”

Nordeck, a former mayor of that upscale Los Angeles County beach town, moved to Orange County 10 years ago to escape the frenetic L.A. lifestyle.

“I came down here to ride horses. If I want it, the beach is only five minutes away,” said Nordeck, 52, a Coto de Caza resident who served four years on the Orange County Planning Commission. “I plan on being here a long time.”

Such words open political doors in this historic city, which hangs a communal hat on its ranching and equestrian heritage. And, in the space of just a few months, this relative newcomer Nordeck has staked a major claim: He and his partners now own a large part of San Juan Capistrano’s downtown.

First, a year ago, Nordeck acquired a local landmark second only to 218-year-old Mission San Juan Capistrano--the venerable Swallows Inn. Then, last month, in partnership with local millionaire rancher Richard J. O’Neill, Nordeck paid $1.1 million for what is considered the most prominent commercial block in the city, along Ortega Highway across the street from the mission.

Both deals were made with unanimous approval from officials of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

O’Neill, one of the state’s wealthiest men and a county rancher for decades, is known all over California.

But who is this guy Nordeck?

“Steve is a guy who has glided in here and done a nice job of fitting into the community,” said Tony Forster, a member of one of San Juan Capistrano’s oldest families. “He’s done a fantastic job with the Swallows Inn, which is an important part of this community.”

City Councilman Gary L. Hausdorfer calls Nordeck “a nice guy and a good businessman . . . with a good blend of experiences.”

“We got a guy who knows how government works and the need to make a profit,” Hausdorfer said.

Judging by his resume, the tall, blond Nordeck also knows how to meet the right people. Through important alliances, Nordeck has moved from his Manhattan Beach job as a marketing executive at Rockwell International to South County restaurateur and major player in South County business circles.

Although Nordeck and O’Neill are only recent business partners, their relationship dates further back in Democratic Party politics. O’Neill, a former chairman of the California Democratic Party, met Nordeck in the 1970s when the former school board member and 13-year Manhattan Beach city councilman made an unsuccessful run for the state Senate and “toyed with the idea of running for Los Angeles County supervisor,” Nordeck recalled.

But it was after moving to Coto de Caza in 1984 and buying another county landmark--the Trabuco Oaks Steak House in Trabuco Canyon--that Nordeck’s friendship extended to officials of the Santa Margarita Co. and the 40,000-acre Rancho Mission Viejo, both run by members of O’Neill’s family.

Because of his love of horses, Nordeck was soon offered an exclusive invitation to ride along on the El Viaje de Portola, a private weekend ride on Rancho Mission Viejo hosted by the O’Neills and attended by many prominent South County movers and shakers.

“That’s where you get to meet people around here,” Nordeck said.

Nordeck, who used his restaurant experience to help provide the food for the ride, met Gilbert Aguirre, Rancho Mission Viejo’s general manager, who became one of Nordeck’s partners in the Swallows Inn.

At a social gathering, Nordeck met Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez, who wound up appointing him to the county Planning Commission, where he served until redistricting cost him his seat in 1992.

It was while serving on the commission in 1990 that Nordeck experienced the only serious blot on his record. A political dinner held at his Trabuco Oaks restaurant was attended by some powerful local developers who had projects pending before the commission.

Nordeck was sharply criticized by environmentalists for the appearance of impropriety, but ultimately cleared by the county district attorney’s office of any wrongdoing.

Vasquez said that incident did not alter his respect for Nordeck.

“Steve is very down to earth and a straight shooter,” Vasquez said. “He’s a consensus builder and a guy who solves problems instead of complicating problems. . . . All in all, he’s been a very positive person to deal with and work with.”

The few people who have nothing positive to say about Nordeck--and O’Neill--are among the longtime commercial tenants of the block across from the mission who expect to be displaced as the new owners make changes.

“I am very, very bitter,” said Al Whelchel, owner of the Capistrano Cafe for the last 14 years. “I’m waiting to hear that I’m going to be put out on the street.”

Jeff Levine, manager of A&W; Traders in the El Peon Plaza, said he expects to be out of a job soon because of the sale.

“We’re going to be priced right out of here,” Levine said. “We don’t attract big tourist dollars here. This isn’t Rodeo Drive or Fashion Island.

O’Neill and Nordeck say no final decisions have been made about who will be the new tenants in the historic buildings they purchased. Some tenants will have to leave, but others will stay, Nordeck said.

The appearance of the 65-year-old brick buildings will not be radically changed, although they will be made earthquake-proof and upgraded at a total cost of “about $3 million,” Nordeck said.

“What this city really needs is a new focus on the center of town, to compliment the mission,” Nordeck said. “We want to give this area a new direction, not to make it a Rodeo Drive, but to offer the residents and neighbors of San Juan Capistrano an enticing place to go and eat and keep everybody in town.”

Nordeck said he will use the same business formula he has employed at the Steak House and the Swallows.

“The Swallows and the Steak House are historical places successfully created by others,” Nordeck said. “I’m just trying to preserve them and I’m privileged to keep them going.”