Dana Point planners approve Marriott renovation and shared-parking program

The Dana Point Planning Commission voted Sept. 22 to approve a coastal development permit and a conditional use permit for renovations to the Marriott resort at 25135 Park Lantern. The approved project includes interior and exterior renovations, a new 6,040-square-foot junior ballroom, relocation of the pool and a new event lawn, spa and pool-area changes, a 16-foot entry trellis, restroom additions, and a revised shared parking program. Senior planner Alyssa Gonzales told the commission the 11.61-acre site is developed with a five-story, 378-room hotel and a three-level parking structure. Gonzales said proposed changes include a new trellis at the entry, interior lobby and bar upgrades, expansion of an existing terrace, conversion of seven guest rooms to support space (including storage and restrooms), and an expanded junior ballroom that results in a net increase of 2,846 square feet of meeting and banquet space. Gonzales said restroom additions on the first and second floors total about 769 and 1,033 square feet, respectively, and a 506-square-foot addition is proposed to improve administrative access. To improve guest amenities the applicant proposed swapping the locations of the existing event lawn and pool: the new pool area would be adjacent to the existing restaurant, and a new event lawn would occupy the former pool location between guest wings. A perimeter glass wall and landscaping are proposed along the south property line facing Lantern Bay Park. Gonzales said all additions would remain below the height of the existing structure and that the project conforms to development standards of the Coastal Visitor Commercial (CVC) District and applicable Orange County zoning code requirements. On parking, Gonzales reported that Walker Consultants used transaction data from July 2024 through July 2025 to compute base parking ratios. The study projected a total parking demand of 470 spaces and, with valet stacking, a capacity of 580 spaces — a surplus of 110 spaces — and concluded the proposed parking supply would meet expected demand. Neighboring property representative Greg West, speaking for Lantern Bay Villas, said the association supports the renovation overall but requested a single point of contact be provided so the community will be informed of changes during construction. "We are not opposed to the plan that they put together at all," West said, adding a preference for neighborhood communication to go through one office. David Levin, who identified himself as representing the applicant, said the renovation is intended to modernize the property and reverse post‑COVID declines in occupancy. Levin said the plan does not increase the hotel’s room count and is a reorganization to improve efficiency and marketability. The commission asked clarifying questions about the shared-parking analysis and confirmed that the study was based on full-day transaction data. Multiple commissioners — including Commissioner Dhingra and Commissioner Bowen — voiced support for the project. One commissioner asked the applicant to consider local naming that reflects Dana Point; Levin said the applicant is open to working with the community. A motion to approve the Coastal Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit carried; the chair announced the project was approved after commissioners voted in favor with no opposition or recorded roll-call dissent. Staff had recommended approval subject to findings and conditions in the draft resolution. The commission did not record a roll-call vote in the public discussion or attach additional conditions regarding the neighborhood point of contact, though the applicant voluntarily provided a direct contact to a neighbor before the hearing.