OC Planned Communities La Pata Avenue / Del Rio
The proposed La Pata Avenue Gap Closure and Camino Del Rio Extension project is
designed to complete the planned improvements for La Pata Avenue and Camino Del
Rio, as identified in the County of Orange Master Plan of Arterial Highways. The
proposed improvements will ease local traffic while minimizing environmental impacts
on the area's high quality of life.
The following links provide information on the current status of the project to
keep you apprised of current activities, upcoming meetings, schedules and important
information.
Overview:
The County of Orange has prepared a project report and Final Environmental Impact
Report (Final EIR) for a proposed project that would extend and widen the existing
1.8-mile portion of La Pata Avenue south of Ortega Highway, outside the City of
San Juan Capistrano, roughly two miles to connect with La Pata Avenue in San Clemente
at Calle Saluda. The proposed improvements will ease local traffic while minimizing
environmental impacts. All trail connections will be maintained.
The project would close the "gap" between the two roadway segments – providing an
essential link in the local roadway network. The project also includes the Camino
Del Rio quarter-mile extension to the future La Pata Avenue from where it ends,
just east of Camino De Los Mares. Both plans are proposed as four-lane roadways.
The La Pata Avenue Gap Closure and Camino Del Rio Extension project is designed
to ease traffic congestion while ensuring minimal environmental impact on the area's
high quality of life. Particular attention in the study will be placed on minimizing
adverse visual, noise, air quality, light and glare impacts on the neighboring communities.
The proposed improvements are consistent with the City of San Clemente and County
General Plans and the Talega and Forster Ranch Specific Plans.
Several years ago, the County and City of San Clemente considered alternative alignments
for the La Pata Gap Closure, including locations near the Talega and Forster Ranch
developments. In-depth community input led to the development of a proposed project,
which will traverse parts of San Clemente and the unincorporated areas of the County.
The County retained consultants to prepare the environmental document approvals
for the projects, which study the proposed project environmental impacts and past
proposed alignments. The Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) has been
prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA). Measures are proposed to address potential impacts on the environment.
Public participation throughout the study process has been an essential component
to ensuring all issues are addressed.
The initial step began in November 2009 with the release of the Notice of Preparation
for the Environmental Impact Report. A public scoping meeting was conducted on December
2, 2009 in San Clemente to provide project information and garner input from interested
parties. A public meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report was conducted
November 18th, 2010 in San Clemente to provide interested parties an opportunity
to review and provide comments on the project documents. Public outreach efforts
included mailing project information to residents/businesses within a quarter mile
of the project and to key stakeholders/and interested parties. The County's project
Web site was launched and city Web sites included project information for residents.
Press releases were issued to regional and local media. Based on input from the
public meetings, the project was refined in the Final Environmental Impact Report
(Final EIR) to address comments received during the Draft Environmental Impact Report
phase.
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