Submitted By: Community Development
Prepared By: Adam Atamian, Community Development Director
Subject:
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REFERRAL OF THE LODGE HOTEL PROJECT AT 401 W. AVENIDA VISTA HERMOSA TO THE DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO THE SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 17.12.025
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Fiscal Impact:
None.
Summary:
At its October 7, 2025 regular meeting, the City Council agendized consideration of directing the Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC) to review the Lodge Hotel project for design recommendations to help address community concerns related to light and noise. San Clemente Municipal Code (SCMC) 17.12.025 describes the function and duty of the DRSC: “The DRSC is a subcommittee of the Planning Commission and is an advisory body, not an approval body. The Subcommittee advises applicants on how projects can best comply with policies and design guidelines that relate to various visual impact issues, such as site planning, architecture, landscaping, and the preservation of cultural and aesthetic resources…”. Projects can be referred to the DRSC by the review authority for consideration of design elements. The City Council may refer the Lodge Hotel project to the DRSC, and that body may review and advise the project applicant on how forthcoming construction plans can adhere to the already-approved project plans, while improving compliance with the City’s zoning standard for lighting (SCMC 17.24.130) and municipal code standard for noise control (SCMC 8.48).
On October 15, 2025, staff met with several residents to discuss potential mitigation efforts that address the concerns related to sound and lighting. There has also been communication with the applicant regarding these issues. Staff would recommend continuance of this item to a date uncertain to provide the applicant the time necessary to generate proposals in response to the input received at the meeting with residents.
Background:
At its September 16, 2025 regular meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-137 to approve Public Hearing Project 25-343 for the Lodge Hotel project to amend Commercial Site Plan Permit (SPP) 99-16 and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 99-17. This action modified the previously approved hotel at 401 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa to allow for an increase in height from 45 feet to 62 feet to incorporate a rooftop restaurant with outdoor dining and elevator towers. The City Council found that Addendum No. 6 to the MCSP Final EIR, which was prepared to evaluate the amended plans, demonstrated no new or more severe significant impacts when compared to the Final EIR and that no further environmental review was needed, consistent with CEQA Guidelines §15162 and §15183.
Council Options:
• Adopt Resolution No. 25-158 to refer the Lodge Hotel project to the DRSC for guidance on compliance with SCMC standards related to lighting and noise contained within SCMC 17.24.130 and SCMC 8.48, respectively.
• Continue the item with direction to staff to provide additional information.
• Do not adopt Resolution No. 25-158, which will result in declining to refer the item to the DRSC.
Environmental Review/Analysis:
The action before the City Council, to refer the Lodge Hotel project to the DRSC, does not constitute a “project” under CEQA (Guidelines § 15060(c)(3)). If the DRSC recommends, and the project applicant agrees to pursue, modifications to the project that are not in substantial conformance to the already approved project, then the amended plans will be subject to subsequent review procedures specified under CEQA and SCMC 17.12.180.
Recommended Actions:
Staff Recommendation
recommendation
Staff recommends continuance of the item and future consideration of Resolution No. 25-158, which would refer the Lodge Hotel project to the DRSC for guidance on compliance with SCMC standards related to lighting and noise contained within SCMC 17.24.130 and SCMC 8.48, respectively.
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Attachment:
1. Resolution 25-158
Notification:
Lodge at San Clemente, LLC