The Dana Point Planning Commission on Sept. 8 approved a master temporary site development permit allowing the Dana Point Marriott to temporarily move private events to the city‑owned middle lawn of Lantern Bay Park while the hotel undergoes renovations.

Senior planner Danny Giametic told the commission the permit covers roughly 30 nonconsecutive special events between October 2025 and June 30, 2026. Amplified music would be permitted only between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., with amplified sound cut off at 9 p.m. sharp. Speakers must be oriented toward the hotel or the ocean and not toward residential areas such as Lantern Bay Estates and adjacent condominiums. As a condition of approval, the hotel must notify the city at least three weeks prior to each event and must comply with a sound abatement plan that includes short sound checks, no on‑site rehearsals, and pausing future events if code violations occur.

Giametic said the resolution includes conditions that require the hotel to submit required special‑event permits for individual dates and to cease use of the middle lawn at the permit expiration on June 30, 2026, unless the director reissues the permit. He said sound enforcement includes the city’s decibel requirement and that staff will respond to complaints and take decibel readings as needed; the city ordinance sets a 55‑decibel limit at the location where sound is received by nearby residents.

Commissioners asked whether existing city events would conflict with Marriott dates. City staff member Jeff said the city has scheduled several events and staff will coordinate with the Marriott on dates. Jeff also confirmed that the public walkways and park would remain open during events: “The public will be able to use the park at all times during any of the events.”

Commissioners also clarified that liquor service and any fenced alcohol areas would be addressed when the hotel applies for the standard special‑event permit; a prior applicant letter had requested a fee waiver, but staff noted fee waivers are a City Council matter, not a Planning Commission decision.

The planning commission voted to approve MTSDP25‑0023 with the staff‑recommended conditions. The permit requires compliance with the city code and conditions; any sound violations must be corrected before future events can proceed.