Plans for $6-Million Saddleback Stadium Have 2 Hurdles to Clear

MISSION VIEJO — Final city approval of plans to build a $6-million baseball stadium at Saddleback College could come at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, although college officials say their vote is still months away.

The Planning Commission also will be reviewing an environmental impact report on the stadium, which would be the home field for the Mission Viejo Vigilantes minor league baseball team.

The site plans are not final and leave room for major changes. For instance, the city is planning a 4,500-seat ballpark, but officials said that the capacity could be altered. A plan to build a campus road to channel traffic into the ball field is also subject to change.

What the plan does establish is that all seating will be between the foul poles in a U shape; it also gives details about lighting and overall park construction.

Unless appealed to the City Council, the commission’s decision on the site plan will be final. The council will have to decide how to finance the $6-million stadium.

The environmental report and the ballpark design must be approved by the college’s board of trustees. A college official said that is likely to take months.

‘We’re going to do a thorough analysis on all the elements that affect the college community,” Vice Chancellor Kathie Hodge said. ‘We’ll be reviewing this well into the season.”

The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 25909 Pala. Information: (714) 470-3000.