Council Approves Permit to Build 4-Level Parking Garage at Soka

The Aliso Viejo City Council gave the go-ahead to a planned 677-space parking garage project at a local college Wednesday.

During the Aug. 18 meeting, officials voted 4-0 to grant Soka University of America a site development permit for the school’s proposed 214,983-square-foot parking structure.

Under Soka's current plan, a four-level garage would replace the existing parking lot at the corner of Wood Canyon Drive and University Drive.

While some of the structure would be underground, the building is expected to be 26 feet, 8 inches tall from the vehicle entrance.

According to university officials, Soka needs the garage to prepare for student population growth, as well as for the upcoming opening of a new 1,100-seat auditorium.

Some nearby residents have raised objections about the project, arguing that the structure will interfere with the view, that Soka’s plan is different from the one originally promised to new homeowners, that the garage will bring construction problems and that the noise will be a major irritant.

Robert Bunyan, consultant for Soka and owner of the consulting firm Robert Bunyan & Associates, said the university has worked with homeowners and incorporated their ideas into the project.

In an interview after the meeting, Bunyan said, when the project is completed, residents will see that their concerns have been addressed.

"The structure will be almost like it’s not even there," Bunyan said.

The proposed parking structure is planned to be on Soka property—University Drive on the south, Wood Canyon Drive on the east, the campus tennis courts on the north and Lions Way on the west.

As part of a condition of acceptance, the college will install a traffic signal on the corner of Wood Canyon Drive and University Drive.

According to figures provide by the college, Soka’s 2010-11 enrollment was 470 students. Many organizations use the site for special events,  and Soka officials expect the student population to grow.

Though there is no word when the groundbreaking could take place, the college plans to move forward with the design immediately, according to a letter to the City Council from Bunyan.  Construction could take 11 to 12 months to complete. 

Other business

— As part of a consent calendar item, the council rejected a request for damage compensation from Victoria Rezaei, who said her cat was injured during an incident with Orange County sheriff's deputies. 

According to the staff report, the OCSD "holds the city harmless from claims arising from law enforcement activities in the city."

Rezaei submitted the claim application on July 6.  

— The council honored:

• Aliso Viejo resident Jake Ogden, for earning two silver medals in the 3,000 meters and 1,500 meters at the 2011 USA Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championships July 26-31 in Wichita, KS. Despite extreme temperatures (115-122 degrees), Ogden managed to set a personal record in the 1,500 meters (4:16 PR.)
  Ogden is a four-time national champion and an eight-time All-American in the 3,000 meters and 1,500 meters.
• Aliso Viejo Little League 9-year-olds district all-stars for winning a recent tournament.
  Led by manager Paul Buratti and coaches Jeff Carducci and Tim Pimentelli, the team includes Cooper Bien, Aidan Booth, Lucas Buratti, Sam Carducci, Conner Le, Tyler Mazzagatte, Caleb Peterson, Alex Pimentelli, Aaron Rice, Noah Sudyka, Kyle Thomas and Tanner Thorp, according to a city news release.
• Bill Rodriguez for his “nearly two decades of service to the Aliso Viejo Little League,” where he has managed coached and umpired. Bill has served on the league's board of directors for 15 years.

The Wolverines flag football team led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The next City Council meeting is Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., 12 Journey Way.

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Watch for more coverage of the Aliso Viejo Little League and Aliso Viejo Girls Softball sharing costs with the city for park improvements within the city.