PAMELA BAKER, San Clemente
Once again, I am saying “shame on you.” This time to the city council, all except for our Mayor Kathy Ward, who is not afraid to say no when it is necessary to do so.
The other four councilmembers including the mayor pro tem, who once again knows better but chooses to look the other way, voted to give an exception to our General Plan to a business. By the way, this business does not need an exception.
I need not name it since it doesn’t need more advertising, more signs, more kudos in order to thrive in any location it desires. Those four councilmembers should apologize and not finalize the vote when it comes for confirmation at the next meeting.
The planning commission did its job, and thank you very much to them. They made their decision adhering to the city of San Clemente’s General Plan and made their recommendation to the council, who then ignored them except for Mayor Ward. This is a very bad decision and could ultimately make the city vulnerable to lawsuits from businesses previously denied exceptions.
This sets the precedent for other businesses to ask for exceptions and send the message to the planning commission that their diligence is not appreciated. This “yes” vote by four councilmembers has opened up a whole “new can.”
Very disappointed.
