Park Neighbors Don't Sign Off on Banners

The biggest flap facing the planning commissioners of Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday was banners—big, ugly banners at the tops of fences that affect sight lines and brought the locals out in force.

Chairman Jack Leonard and his four colleagues heard numerous complaints from residents near Trabuco Mesa Park. Ultimately, the commissioners continued an item involving the zoning code text to modify regulations to temporary fencing, wireless facilities and banners inside park zoning districts.

The chain link fencing and wireless facilities were mostly a moot point for  residents, who complained that the softball fields attracted people nine months and other organized sports remainder of the year. It resulted, they said, in congested traffic around the park, parking in adjacent neighborhoods, litter, and plenty of non-caring parents of players. Although little could be done about the latter—and those complaints were irrelevant to the approval or disapproval of the zoning text amendment—the real issue confronting the commissioners was the banners on fences that are considered eyesores to the neighbors with no controls over placement, quantity and durations in place.

Several complaints addressed businesses on banners that are not even in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Banners are a source of income to various sports organizations. They provide a source of income that provides a means of keeping down the fees charged to players.

The commission directed the city staff to meet with homeowners, the sports organizations that use the park, and SAMLARC to see if they could work through the banner issue. It will be discussed at the next commission meeting, June 1.

The commission approved a zoning code text and map amendment to create an auto center overlay zoning district that includes current auto dealership sites and the Interchange Center, where businesses such as Shell, FedEx Office and Kindercare exist. The amendment would allow for the site to become an auto dealership with auto repairs and parts sales, if agreed to by enough owners, accounting for at least 4.5 acres of the lot. The Santa Margarita Animal Care Shelter expressed opposition. However, under the amendment, the combination of the animal center and Kindercare could effectively preclude the site from becoming an auto center.

Craig Ferguson, owner of Rancho Canyon Music, received approval to move into the Brookhollow Business Park after being given a 30-day notice to vacate its current premises. Ferguson received unanimous consent, with the understanding that he was looking to move back into a location at the Empresa center that he previously occupied; that site would require no improvement costs or delays to open but would require another trip before the Planning Commission.

Big Lots!, the cost-conscious store that is in the Lowe's center, got approval to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption.

Also, the commission heard a presentation about the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event June 11 at Central Park, a 24-hour fundraising event that includes games, crafts, entertainment and food.