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Laguna Woods council approves conditional use permit to redevelop El Toro gas station
Summary
City council unanimously approved a conditional use permit to redevelop the automobile service station at 24362 El Toro Road, allowing a larger convenience store, continued fuel sales and on-site alcohol and tobacco sales; changes include driveway removals and restriping to meet city parking and ADA standards.
The Laguna Woods City Council voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing redevelopment of the automobile service station at 24362 El Toro Road, including expansion of the convenience store, continued fuel sales, and authorization for alcoholic beverage and tobacco sales.
City planning staff told the council the project would expand the store into the portion of the building now used for vehicle repair, increasing the store to about 2,000 square feet while leaving the building footprint unchanged. The applicant will reconfigure parking to meet the city's off-street parking standards, remove one driveway on Moulton Parkway closest to the intersection, and reconstruct the remaining driveways on El Toro Road and Moulton Parkway to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Planning staff said fuel islands will remain in their existing positions, and the applicant agreed to conditions that limit exterior amplified sound to short-range intercoms used at fuel islands and transaction-triggered video screens, but prohibit station-wide music. The conditions also allow city staff to authorize the future removal of up to two parking stalls if the city's parking standards change, without returning to amend the CUP; larger changes would require a CUP amendment. The council's packet included a full list of conditions and findings.
The staff recommendation cited a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act under Title 14, Cal. Code Regs., section 15302. After the staff presentation and a public hearing with no public comments, the council moved and approved the resolution adopting the CUP.
The council complimented staff on safety measures, including the replacement of a driveway with a raised landscaped planter to discourage unsafe turns and create a visual barrier. Council members also urged use of fire-hardened exterior materials when the building is modified.
Votes at the meeting were taken by voice and were recorded as unanimous. No public testimony was submitted during the public hearing portion for this item.
