Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Business Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission approves conditional use permit for Shocker Shack personal-service shop at 207 Ocean Avenue
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Shocker Shack to operate a 1,428-square-foot suite at 207 Ocean Avenue offering retail plus personal services (Reiki, astrology, small group workshops), with limits on group size to manage parking demand.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit April 2 for Shocker Shack to operate at 207 Ocean Avenue in a vacant 1,428-square-foot suite within the downtown specific plan visitor-commercial district.
Planning technician Sarah Olsen summarized the application: the business combines retail with personal services such as aura photography, intuitive readings, Reiki, mediumship, astrology and small group workshops. Staff concluded the blended parking requirement in the downtown specific plan (3 spaces per 1,000 square feet) is satisfied by the prior retail use and proposed tenant improvements are limited to interior partitions. Olsen recommended approval and a CEQA exemption.
Commissioners raised operational questions during deliberations. Commissioner Kellenberg asked how larger group activities would be handled; staff added a condition limiting groups to 10 participants and suggested groups exceeding 10 could be addressed through a director-level temporary use permit. Olsen also confirmed signage would be handled through the standard sign-permit process and that any new exterior signage within the downtown specific plan rules could be approved administratively if it met size limits.
Applicant Jill Templin, who has operated similar services in Laguna Beach for nearly 23 years, addressed the commission and described current operations at her temporary location, noting she currently runs a small 9 a.m. meditation class with six participants and occasional small tarot classes. She told commissioners only one of the new rooms would hold up to ten people; the other would be reserved for one-on-one services.
Commissioners said they welcomed the reuse of the vacant suite and viewed the project as a way to help revitalize Lower Ocean Avenue. Commissioner Whiting noted personal services are relatively limited downtown and supported the application; Commissioner Sadler said she could make the CUP findings and supported the CEQA exemption.
Commissioner Dubin moved to adopt the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit 25-0482 and finding said action exempt from CEQA; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.
The permit includes conditions limiting group size (10 people) and requires a CUP amendment and revocable encroachment permit for any restaurants or businesses seeking to serve alcohol or expand outdoor dining into the promenade area in the future; signage will follow downtown specific plan standards.
Votes at a glance: Conditional Use Permit 25-0482 approved unanimously (Goldman, Whiting, Dubin, Kellenberg, Sadler).
