SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – The city is launching a study to decide if the Ito Nursery property in the historic Los Rios area of town should be transformed into “River Street,” a rural-themed 60,000-square-foot commercial village.
Developer Dan Almquist of Frontier Real Estate Investments envisions a town marketplace featuring farm-fresh produce, artisan shops, indoor/outdoor dining and office space in six buildings around a grass courtyard.
Almquist introduced the concept at last week’s City Council meeting. Council members voted 4-1 to initiate a study that could lead to an amendment to the Los Rios Specific Plan.
Almquist called River Street “a legacy project” that would respect San Juan’s history and agricultural roots, help further establish San Juan as a dining destination and “could be one of the most iconic projects in Orange County.”
He said he visited successful iterations of the concept for ideas and met with Los Rios-area residents and business owners to gather suggestions, comments and concerns he intends to address.
Sheree Ito, whose family has owned the property for 57 years, said that of the offers the family has fielded for the site, this one was the best fit. The developer was sensitive to the Los Rios environs, she said, and willing to listen.
“It wasn’t the best offer monetarily,” she told the council Oct. 4.
Several residents spoke in favor, describing the conceptual plan as a tasteful addition to downtown that respects San Juan’s heritage.
“The project, from what I’ve seen in the rough draft drawings and concepts, sounds like an absolute jewel to be added to San Juan Capistrano,” longtime resident Monique Rea said.
Others had concerns. Los Rios resident Michael Laux opposed changing the Los Rios specific plan, which he said calls for low-intensity land uses that generate minimal traffic and parking demand.
“What this plan is, it’s a mall,” he said. “It’s going to be restaurants and shops. There’s going to be workers and their cars. There’s going to be delivery trucks and all the patrons.”
He said area traffic already is a nightmare.
City staff members said a traffic analysis is part of the study.
Councilman Sam Allevato said he liked what he has seen so far and was confident that traffic, noise and other potential impacts would be mitigated.
Mayor Pam Patterson voted against moving forward, saying she loved the project but the city keeps adding event venues without addressing downtown parking.
“Do we just get to make it up as we go along?” Patterson asked.
“I think it’s exactly the right project, exactly the right time,” Councilman John Perry said. “By the time this is finished the hotels will be on the way, visitors will be on the way and I think this is the kind of destination spot that is going to make this city a real place that people will want to come and will want to stay.”
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