Planning Commission approves amendment to coastal development permit and site development permit on Camino Capistrano bluff lot

The Dana Point Planning Commission voted to amend Coastal Development Permit CDP23-0038 and approve Site Development Permit SDP24-0028 to allow building height to be measured from up to 30 inches of engineered fill and to permit portions of a side-yard retaining wall and guardrail to exceed six feet for a new single-family home on an undeveloped coastal bluff lot on Camino Capistrano.

Planning staff presented the amendment as a response to a drainage and driveway-access issue identified after the original project approval. Staff explained the lot is steep, with a ravine-like topography that established a low point used in the prior height measurement. According to the staff presentation, the plans do not change the building footprint or the structure's layout but add engineered fill to raise the driveway and garage pad so the garage floor is at street level; the fill is limited to a height-credit of no more than 30 inches (2.5 feet) for measuring building height.

Planner Danny (staff) said the fill is needed because a nearby storm drain basin fronting the property serves a larger area and could overflow into the property during large storm events. Staff described the proposed solution as raising the garage finished floor and installing a berm on the driveway to reduce the risk of runoff entering the garage and to improve driveway grade from approximately 16 percent to about 9 percent. Staff also said the fill will be premium, clean, compacted material inspected to required compaction rates.

A resident who identified themselves as living on Callejo spoke in opposition, expressing concern that the 2.5-foot fill "is gonna affect everybody down in Cuyonango" and worried about dirt and material washing onto Pacific Coast Highway during heavy storms; the speaker asked, "So is that gonna raise the whole height of that home 2 and a half more feet?" Staff responded, "Correct. The structure will be raised 2 and a half feet." The resident asked that the commission deny the request due to view and drainage concerns; no other public speakers addressed the item.

Commission discussion focused on engineering and drainage. Commissioners noted that the fill is engineered, compacted, and reviewed by public works and engineering staff; one commissioner observed the fill is east of the building footings and that the building footings extend below the fill, reducing the risk of movement. Staff and commissioners said the amendment conforms to the Local Coastal Program and general plan policies cited in the staff report.

A commissioner moved to approve the amendment to CDP23-0038 and SDP24-0028 as described in the staff draft resolution. The motion was seconded and the commission approved the amendment by voice vote.

Clarifying details from the hearing: - The requested height credit is up to 30 inches; staff confirmed the plan callout is for 2.5 feet (30 inches). - The applicant's civil engineer and city reviewers identified an existing drainage issue related to a storm drain basin in front of the lot. - The fill is described as premium, clean, compacted, and subject to inspection and geotechnical recommendations.

The commission approved the amendment and moved on to the remainder of the agenda.