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Planning commission approves Park Monaco exterior color change with staff review after tenant objections
Summary
The Planning Commission approved Design Review 25-0903 allowing an exterior paint color change at the Park Monaco building in South Laguna, with a condition that the lightest color sample be darkened subject to staff review. One tenant spoke in opposition, citing branding and lease expectations.
The Planning Commission on June 4 approved a design-review application allowing the Park Monaco building at 32392 Coast Highway in South Laguna to change its exterior paint palette to a three-tone green scheme, with one condition: the commission required the lightest (dominant) green to be darkened in value and left final color selection to staff review.
Staff presentation and proposal: A staff member summarized the project as a repaint of an existing three-story professional office building and said on-site swatches showed a lighter green appeared less saturated than the digital rendering. Staff concluded the proposed color scheme "will overall enhance the appearance of the building" and recommended approval, finding the project consistent with the design review criteria and exempt from CEQA.
Public comment: Two representatives from Hebe Skin Health, a tenant in the building, spoke in opposition. The tenant-owner, Nicole Smith, said she and her business planned to remain long-term and had expected a neutral (tan/cream) building that fit the coastal aesthetic and their black-and-white luxury branding. "We are opposing the color green for this building," Smith said, adding that she believed painting the stucco green would look "outdated" and could make leasing a currently vacant suite more difficult. Her son, Clayton Smith, told the commission the green palette would blend into the hillside and likened the effect to "Go Away Green," a color often used to hide infrastructure.
Commissioner discussion and condition: Commissioners agreed the three-color palette can be appropriate for the site but several asked that the lightest (dominant) sample be toned down. Commissioner Dubin suggested darkening the value of the lightest color; staff recommended a condition that the dominant color be darkened in value and that city staff would review and approve final selections.
Vote: The commission voted unanimously to approve Design Review 25-0903, including the staff-recommended condition requiring the dominant color to be darkened and subject to staff review. The chair noted a 14-day appeal period to City Council.
Ending: The decision permits the repaint with the specified condition; staff will work with the applicant on the final paint values to ensure the dominant tone meets the commission's guidance.
