By Jim Shilander
The San Clemente Planning Commission on Oct. 22 approved the first steps toward remaking one of the city’s commercial centers.
The owners of the plaza on Camino de Estrella, at the San Clemente/Capistrano Beach border, received architectural and site plan permits for the first of a two-phase project that would transform the currently empty space, formerly occupied by Kmart and Sears, into three stores—Sports Authority, Stein Mart and Sprouts Farmers Market.
The proposal seeks to transform the plaza’s exterior with Spanish-style architecture, including red tile roofs. Parking is in place for the proposal.
San Clemente Assistant City Planner Sean Nicholas said the owner is targeting mid- to late-summer opening.
San Clemente’s planning commissioners voiced enthusiasm for the project, though there were some issues taken with the design of the back of the buildings, which commissioners said needed to be enhanced.
The owner of the property is also currently in the planning process for a second phase of the project, which will include all of the other buildings on the property, with the exception of Citibank. Stores currently in place on the west side of the plaza will receive a face lift and a new tenant is being targeted for the former Big Lots property.
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