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 progress
to keep you apprised of current activities, upcoming meetings, schedules and important
information.
Overview:
The County of Orange is preparing a project report and environmental studies 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 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 recently retained consultants to prepare the environmental document approvals
for the projects, which will study the proposed project environmental impacts and
summarize several past proposed alignments. The County will prepare an Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA). The process is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
Measures will be proposed to address potential impacts on the environment. Public
participation throughout the study process is 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. Public outreach efforts also included mailing project information to residents/businesses
within a quarter mile of the project and to key stakeholders/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 scoping process, the project will be refined to address key
issues.
Public input will also be critical after the draft environmental report is released
sometime in summer 2010. A public meeting will be held again to give participants
the opportunity to comment on the draft report findings. The final environmental
impact report is expected to be available for public review next fall or early winter.
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