Zoning administrator approves STAR permit at 222 La Paloma with on‑site manager requirement and garage parking condition

The San Clemente zoning administrator approved a short‑term apartment rental permit for the upper unit at 222 La Paloma (public hearing project 25‑178), finding the project categorically exempt from CEQA and adding permit conditions that require a full‑time on‑site manager in the lower unit and that the property’s garage be maintained to satisfy required on‑site parking.

Staff described the site as a 4,100‑square‑foot lot in the residential‑medium zone with Midcoast overlay. The applicant requested STAR approval for Apartment B (upper unit); Unit A (lower unit) would remain the on‑site manager’s unit. The rental unit is about 800 square feet, two bedrooms and one bathroom, with a maximum guest count of six. Staff noted the site is within 300 feet of an existing STLU and explained that because the property historically operated as short‑term rentals, the application meets the STAR criteria with the manager living on‑site.

At the hearing the zoning administrator asked about parking and observed the garage was being used for storage during a site visit; staff clarified the garage must be available for required on‑site parking and the resolution was revised to condition garage availability. The zoning administrator also directed clerical corrections to the resolution (unit labels and condition references) so the record matches the property description.

The zoning administrator adopted resolution ZA25‑017 approving the STAR permit subject to the corrected conditions, including explicit statements that Unit A is the lower level (on‑site manager) unit and Unit B is the upper level rental, and that references to unrelated conditions be removed. The decision was made at the close of the public hearing; staff will provide the corrected resolution and notice of the 10‑day appeal period to the applicant.