Steadfast’s return to the Planning Commission on Mon., Dec. 12, should shake people up … if they know about it. In addition to those living near the proposed high-density housing project at Los Alisos Blvd. and Jeronimo Road, all residents should be concerned about the impact on the city. With irresponsible council and planning commission majority decisions, high-density projects could spring up in other locations. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall council chambers. This is a crucial meeting to stop the housing project.

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Leaders of the Capistrano USD recall are featured in a nine-minute video blog by Full Disclosure, an Emmy Award winning news program. Here’s a link to the video, which shows exclusive footage regarding recall issues.

Recall leaders featured in the video are Kevin Murphy of San Juan Capistrano and Jennifer Beall and Tom Russell, both of Rancho Santa Margarita. The CUSD trustees had an opportunity but declined to be interviewed by the program. In other CUSD recall news, the recall organizers have asked law enforcement authorities to begin an investigation into the allegations of crimes and corruption at CUSD.

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Board members from the Mission Viejo Foundation made an appearance at the Dec. 5 council meeting. Foundation chairman Jim Leach (Cox Communications employee) spoke as six of the other 12 board members sat in the audience. He reported the foundation has $500,000 in assets. He counted the city’s $200,000 grant for 2005, residents’ pledges and the pledges made by board members’ employers. Calling pledges “assets” is one thing, but how can an organization pay its director more than $9,000 per month plus expenses, print literature, hold meetings, and so on … and still have its first dime? Has anyone seen a balance sheet? The board members, however, deserve commendation for getting pledges from their respective companies.

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If the MV Foundation is to stay ahead of the council majority, the board members will have to work nights. Does anyone who watched the Dec. 5 meeting believe the council and city staff are competent at completing the community center expansion? Some people observing the process estimate the design phase alone will likely top $1 million – that’s unreasonably high (18 percent) for a $5.5 million project. Architectural fees can average up to 8 percent of construction costs for public works projects of similar size and high complexity, according to such sources as L.A. County Community College District and the State of Washington, which publish fee schedules. Councilwoman Kelley pressed on, despite no sense of direction or basis for making a decision, referring to the architect’s projection of 1 percent to 1.5 percent monthly inflation in building materials as a reason to decide quickly. The Buzz paraphrases: “Oooooooh, let’s vote first and then figure out what we’re doing.” Compared with the city’s usual budget overruns, the rising cost of materials is practically inconsequential.

The architect said he was considering alternative materials to steel, which has dramatically increased in price. Costs of such other construction materials as rebar, concrete and lumber have also sharply increased. Those who think they know which materials will be up or down by the time construction begins should be playing the commodities market. The city would be better off containing things within its control, including architectural fees.

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When residents watched Susan Withrow as mayor during 2002, they thought it couldn’t get worse, but it did. Trish Kelley’s year is ending, and Lance MacLean received acknowledgement on Dec. 5 with a 5-0 vote that he would be the next mayor. No one expressed real support for him, but Council Members John Paul Ledesma and Gail Reavis both politely said everyone should have a turn.

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Let us learn you to write? The city’s character program will now have a character essay contest. The stated reason is “to help students become better writers.” Failing to get any traction with “character words,” the program will now take a swing at sentences. Did someone take a wrong turn on her way to a school board meeting? Those driving this social engineering effort appear to have no clue about education or the English language.

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What’s in back of the push for “green buildings” in Mission Viejo, and what’s the point? Apparently, a planning commissioner thinks residents who are considering a remodel will go to city hall to get construction ideas. Most folks look for contractors or go to a showroom. By the time they consider getting a permit from the city, the design process is over. This planning commissioner seems to be the least likely person to offer advice. From the dais, she said she didn’t know the street in front of her house is a public street, owned by the city. After six months on the planning commission, she didn’t know the city had a design review process. Now, she’s promoting a “green building” concept for a city that’s completely built out.

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Keep those calls coming in. Parents of special children in Capo USD are getting together with a Parent to Parent Support Group, which will meet on Sat., Dec. 17, 9 a.m., at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo, Dana Point. Children are welcome. For more information, call (949) 249-0629.

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Insiders say the Acura dealer walked away empty-handed after requesting redevelopment funds. The dealer’s request for money was denied. As another thread, UDR/Pacific has been trying to get redevelopment funds to subsidize the affordable element of its housing project, recently approved by the council for the former Kmart site. The set-aside funds might be used instead for affordable housing at Technology Park, along the freeway south of Oso Parkway. Both UDR/Pacific and Steadfast are apparently interested in eliminating the affordable element altogether in their respective plans.