Staff outlines City Council actions on restaurant permit, Camino Terrace project and outreach plans

City staff updated the Planning Commission on several items decided by the City Council at its March 19 meeting and on upcoming outreach events.

Joe Perez summarized the council’s action on the Titanic Ceviche conditional use permit: the council approved the appeal with modified conditions, switching the ABC license to a Type 41 (beer-and-wine only), setting a closing time of 11 p.m., requiring on- and off-site improvements to be completed before issuance of a certificate of occupancy, and removing live-entertainment conditions while leaving a path for the applicant to apply for special-event permits. Perez said the applicant accepted the revised conditions and the council’s vote was unanimous.

Perez also described substantive changes to the Camino Terrace apartment project: development was consolidated on the southern parcel, the previously proposed community center/supportive-housing elements were relocated, and the applicant agreed to provide $1,200,000 to underground utilities along Camino Real and to provide a backup generator for the community building. The council inserted conditions restricting blasting for grading unless the applicant demonstrates need to the city engineer and fire department.

Commissioners asked whether the $1.2 million includes design costs and how undergrounding would be coordinated with grading and sidewalk work; Perez said the figure was based on an engineering estimate and was intended to cover engineering and potential overages, and that undergrounding would be coordinated early in the project schedule to avoid rework. Commissioners also asked about state-agency reviews (for example, Corps of Engineers/flood-control requirements) that could extend timelines; staff agreed additional interagency coordination will be necessary.

Perez closed with announcements on community engagement: code-enforcement town halls (District 2 and District 3 on the posted dates), a joint Santa Ana River Master Plan study session involving council and commission, a Belgrave-area study workshop for property and business owners, a business training workshop and a ‘Beautiful Home Award’ nomination period ending April 15. He said outreach will include mailings, social media and flyers to reach residents and businesses.