A proposed hotel and residential development for the heart of downtown drew criticism Tuesday night from San Juan Capistrano planning commissioners, who said they found the plan too intense.
Urban Village Development Company has proposed taking the 3 acres behind Judge Egan’s house where currently older office buildings remain partially vacant and putting up a hotel, 38 three-story homes and some commercial/restaurant space.
“What you've presented tonight is way overbuilt,” said Commissioner Sheldon Cohen.
Joshua Host, a principal with the company, said the concept is still fluid, and after the work session, told Cohen he would take the commission’s comments to heart and return with revised plans.
As proposed currently, some of the homes are designed to be “artist-in-residence” dwellings where artisans can show their works in a garden setting when they like.
Commissioners found the idea sketchy and said they preferred a more traditional urban use, with living quarters over retail space.
“It’s one of those things that always looks good on paper,” Commissioner Roy Nunn said of the artist-in-residence concept. “The planners come up with ideas that are a little quirky, that are a little different to try to bring in business, but I haven’t seen much success.”
He also called the look “Disney venture,” and others criticized the look.
Chairman Rob Williams said he found it curious that the hotel was tucked in the corner. He doubted any hotel operator would want to be tucked behind homes. And Commissioner Jeff Parkhurst doubted homeowners wanted a hotel in their backyard.
Still, the commissioners said there were positives with the design and encouraged the developer to keep tinkering.
Said Commissioner Tim Neely: “This is an extremely important property in the downtown, we’re only going to get one chance to do it right. This is, I think a long way to getting to the finish line.”
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