SAN CLEMENTE : Ideas for Pier Bowl Future Endorsed

Following weeks of public debate, the city Planning Commission has unanimously endorsed a plan that outlines ideas for future commercial and recreational development in the seaside Pier Bowl area.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the plan on Sept. 9.

While planning commissioners agreed with most of the points covered in the plan, they made some modifications Tuesday and called for an extensive, long-range study that would determine if any of the development ideas outlined in the plan are economically viable.

“They want to make sure what planning there is down there is realistic,” city planner Jim Pechous said.

Among other things, the Planning Commission:

* Disagreed with the idea of building an Amtrak train depot at the base of the pier, saying North Beach is a more realistic place for such a depot.

* Agreed with the goal of preserving historic homes and buildings but said preservation decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis rather than being mandated in the General Plan.

* Agreed with the idea of exploring more commercial development midway on the San Clemente Pier, as long as it does not block views or disturb the existing restaurant at the base of the pier. The city Parks and Recreation and Community Design committees had both recommended against allowing any more commercial development on the pier.

During recent public workshops, residents said they were primarily worried about too much commercial development in the Pier Bowl, with its narrow streets and tightly packed homes. Many residents also said they would like the city to scale back a proposal that would turn the small 52-year-old Beachcomber Motel along the coastal bluff into a 123-room luxury hotel.

Most agreed that preserving older, historic homes should be a top priority, including restoring Casa Romantica, the mansion built by city founder Ole Hanson in 1927. The city bought the three-acre site for $2.5 million about four years ago.

Once the City Council adopts the conceptual plan, it will consider a more specific land-use plan for the Pier Bowl and Casa Romantica.