Study Session and Planning Commission Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

The City of San Clemente Planning Commission held a meeting on April 22, 2026, focusing on several key planning and zoning issues. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing proposed amendments to the municipal code regarding roof element definitions and height measurement standards, aiming to clarify and standardize how roof heights are calculated to encourage architectural variety while preventing excessively massive structures. Public and expert feedback was solicited, with concerns raised about potential impacts on architectural design and the clarity of definitions. Additionally, the commission reviewed updates to the city's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to ensure compliance with recent California state laws, including changes to owner occupancy requirements and size limits. Commissioners expressed concerns about the rapid increase in housing density and potential impacts on infrastructure and public welfare, recommending that the city council consider these issues carefully and explore measures such as electrical service upgrades for ADUs. The meeting also included a review of the draft Parking and Transportation Demand Management Plan, which proposed near-term and long-term strategies such as expanding paid parking, leasing private lots for public use, enhancing enforcement, and improving transit options to address downtown parking challenges. The commission agreed to forward the ADU ordinance amendments to the city council with recommendations highlighting infrastructure concerns and to continue monitoring parking management efforts. No direct contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting.