Dana Point council extends three interim land‑use ordinances to align local rules with state housing laws; density‑bonus ordinance second reading continued

Dana Point City Council voted on Oct. 21 to extend three interim (urgency) ordinances that the city adopted in September to align local zoning with state housing laws, and to continue a pending second reading of a proposed density‑bonus ordinance after staff received comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

City staff said the three extensions are temporary measures to keep local zoning consistent with state law while staff and HCD finish reviewing a permanent ordinance package. "This afternoon, we received comments on the ordinance from HCD," City staff member Mr. Russell told the council when asking to continue the ordinance’s second reading so staff could address HCD’s feedback.

Why it matters: the urgency ordinances were adopted earlier to respond to HCD notices and to ensure the city’s zoning and coastal planning materials remain consistent with state statutory changes on ADUs, SB 9 (duplexes and urban lot splits) and the state density‑bonus law. The extensions preserve the interim rules as staff drafts permanent language and seeks required approvals from the Planning Commission and, for some changes, the California Coastal Commission.

Key actions taken - The council continued the second reading of a proposed ordinance (identified on the agenda as CTA‑25‑00001 / LCPA‑25‑00001) that would repeal Dana Point Municipal Code chapter 4.4 and add section 9.07.0.28 (density bonus application requirements) and would submit a related local coastal program amendment to the California Coastal Commission. Staff said HCD had provided comments and asked for additional review; the council continued the second reading to a future council meeting so staff can return with revisions.

- The council voted to extend three interim urgency ordinances: (1) Urgency Ordinance 25‑11 extending interim ADU regulations expressly approved by HCD; (2) Urgency Ordinance 25‑12 extending an interim repeal of chapters adopted to implement SB 9 (chapters 9.72 and 7.37); and (3) Urgency Ordinance 25‑13 extending an interim zone text amendment (ZTA‑25‑00001) to ensure local zoning is consistent with the state density‑bonus law. Staff reiterated that each interim ordinance is effective for 45 days under state law and the extensions grant staff time to produce permanent code amendments and route them through the Planning Commission, City Council and, where required, the Coastal Commission.

Council and public involvement - No members of the public spoke during the public hearings for the three extension items; the hearings were opened and then closed with no public comment.

- Council members moved and seconded the staff recommendations and approved each extension by voice vote ("Aye"). The staff report for the ordinance second reading (CTA‑25‑00001) was removed from the consent calendar after staff informed the council it had received HCD comments and preferred to return with a revised draft.

Details and constraints - Staff described the extensions as temporary and tied to HCD review; they said the final, permanent ordinances would be processed through the Planning Commission and then the Coastal Commission as needed.

- The agenda materials and the draft ordinance language for the second reading were available on the city website, but staff asked for more time after receiving the HCD letter.

What happens next - Staff will revise the proposed density‑bonus ordinance to address HCD comments and present a revised draft at a future council meeting for a continued second reading. Related zoning and local coastal plan materials will follow the standard public review sequence (Planning Commission, City Council and Coastal Commission where applicable).

Provenance: transcript excerpts show the city clerk reading the ordinance titles and staff reporting receipt of HCD comments, and subsequent council motions to extend the interim ordinances and to continue the second reading. The public hearings on the three extension items were opened and closed with no public comment.