Submitted By: Planning Division
Prepared By: Jonathan Lightfoot, City Planner
Subject:
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REVIEW OF THE CARS AND COFFEE EVENT, AN APPROVED WEEKLY EVENT UNDER CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 22-328, FOR PERMITTED EVENTS AT THE OUTLETS AT SAN CLEMENTE, AND CONSIDERATION TO INITIATE A PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 17.12.175 - CITY INITIATED CHANGES OR REVOCATION OF APPROVED APPLICATIONS
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Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to receive and file this report. However, should the City Council direct staff to initiate a public hearing pursuant to San Clemente Municipal Code Section 17.12.175 - City Initiated Changes or Revocation of Approved Applications, staff anticipates an approximate cost of $5,000 for the staff time and related costs to prepare and conduct such a hearing.
Summary:
On September 16, 2025, the City Council requested a future agenda item to review the operations of the weekly Cars and Coffee events hosted at the Outlets at San Clemente ("Outlets") every Saturday. The Outlets have operated special events under Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 16-349 since January 2018, authorizing a range of outdoor events. Following community complaints related to vehicle noise and traffic associated with the Cars and Coffee event between 2020-2021, the Planning Commission approved an amendment to the CUP in December 2022 (Resolution PC 22-031, provided as Attachment 1). The amendment permitted weekly car shows, while adding new conditions of approval to address parking, noise, and public safety concerns.
Since adoption of the amended CUP, there has been compliance with the specified conditions. The event operators have implemented an on-site sign program, established an online feedback system, and provided logs of public correspondence as required. However, due to complaints regarding off-site speeding or vehicle noise, the Orange County Sheriff Department (OCSD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) have conducted targeted en...
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