Moratorium on Building Sought by Councilman

Large building projects could be postponed for up to a year under a moratorium requested Tuesday by City Councilman Wyatt T. Hart.

The councilman, who is calling for an update to the city’s 1974 general plan, said the issue is not about growth, but rather the need for community planning.

“We are not trying to stop people from coming in,” Hart said. “We welcome new neighbors. But we want to make sure they have good school systems, good arterial systems and a strong financial community.”

The proposal would halt only those projects that include more than 12 housing units or more than 10 acres of retail or commercial development.

Exemptions would include previously approved projects and grading permits. Plans involving churches, schools or other public uses would be unaffected.

In making his proposal, Hart cited concerns about crowded schools, traffic congestion and growth in neighboring communities.

“In 1974 [San Juan Capistrano] was surrounded by farmland, Dana Point was a surfing beach, there wasn’t a harbor . . . and we had property tax and sales tax,” said Hart, referring to the loss of city revenue with the passage of Proposition 13.

The council will consider approval of the moratorium at its next meeting, on June 2 at 7 p.m.