As it stands, the proposed retail development deviates from the vision for downtown
By Laura Freese, former San Juan Capistrano City Councilwoman
What is your vision of San Juan Capistrano’s downtown? What do you want downtown San Juan Capistrano to be?
Is your vision an array of assorted strip malls or a charming oasis in the midst of master-built modern Orange County? I picture a place where travelers are awed as soon as they turn off the interstate by the ambience of our heritage as reflected by a historic looking downtown.
Once upon a time, Camino Capistrano was a real main street. Then it was changed into a pseudo-highway when the state made it part of Highway 101. It lost the welcoming impact that a main street conveys. Ortega Highway was also a main street, called “Broadway.” It became part of State Highway 74 and lost its warmth too. A couple of years ago, the City Council voted to adopt a plan to bring back the main streets and protect the heritage of our downtown. Now they are in jeopardy of it being lost—again.
I am referring to the proposed development at the corner of Ortega and El Camino Real. That area, just off the all asphalt and concrete interstate, should reflect old San Juan with warmth, small shops that open to the street, highly walkable architecture, trees and flowers. The proposed plan has none of that: Businesses face inward and are designed to be driven to and away from. It is fine for the suburbs but does not fit downtown San Juan Capistrano.
There are enormous benefits to keeping downtown a historic haven. The most obvious ones are the continuation of our heritage, the protection of Mission San Juan Capistrano and the branded friendly look of the city.
But the harsh reality of allowing a misdirected, massive concrete and asphalt development that does not meet our city standards to get approved at this sensitive area is the possible devastation of the downtown’s existing businesses, as well as destroying the look of the city’s entrance for the next 100 years. As Bill Ramsey, San Juan’s retired Assistant Development Services Director and cultural heritage expert, said, “The Walnut Grove site is the gateway to the historic downtown and needs to be treated in a manner much more befitting that role.”
The council is trying to do the right thing but the error lies in their misconception that being “business friendly” means opening the flood gates to out-of-place developments in ill-chosen locations. Only Councilman Larry Kramer understands that.
To all lovers of San Juan Capistrano, don’t be fooled by fancy drawings. Carefully judge any proposal for this significant downtown area. We cannot afford to approve a mistake.
Laura Freese is a local business owner and 36-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. She currently serves as chair of the Economic Preservation Committee and previously served one term on the City Council. In 2014, she was added to the city’s Wall of Recognition.
