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Dana Point planning commission approves Monarch Bay addition and attached El Encanto ADU; continues separate coastal permit
Summary
The commission approved a coastal development permit and minor site permit for an addition in Monarch Bay and a site-development permit for a 792-sq.-ft. attached ADU at 33881 El Encanto Avenue; a separate coastal/site permit hearing was continued to Feb. 9, 2026. No public comments were received.
Dana Point’s Planning Commission on Jan. 26, 2026 approved two residential permit applications and continued a separate coastal/site-permit hearing to Feb. 9.
Senior planner Danny Giametti recommended approval of coastal development permit CDP25-0020 and minor site development permit SDP25-0029 for an addition in Monarch Bay, saying, “The addition is 1,084 square feet, which results in a total square footage of 3,624 square feet.” The commission voted to adopt the draft resolution approving the permits after commissioners described the project as compatible with the neighborhood and made the requisite findings.
Project planner Alyssa Gonzalez presented site development permit SDP25-0028 for an attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 33881 El Encanto Avenue. She said the applicant is requesting “to construct a 792 square foot 1 bedroom attached accessory dwelling unit.” The subject lot is 4,750 square feet, and the existing primary dwelling—built in 1951 and about 1,198 square feet—was described in staff materials as nonconforming for parking (no two-car garage) and for a deficient front-yard setback (19 feet where 20 feet is required). The applicant proposed widening the driveway apron by 10 feet and expanding a paved area to add an off-street space; staff and public-works review found that change would not eliminate on-street spaces. Commissioners raised concern about losing curb area but supported approval, saying the net effect would likely put an additional car off the curb in this congested area.
The commission also opened the public hearing on coastal development permit CDP24-0015 and site development permit SDP25-0027 and agreed to continue that item to Feb. 9, 2026 with the hearing left open. No members of the public spoke during either public-comment period.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes from Dec. 8, 2025: motion carried by voice vote. - Continuance: CDP24-0015 / SDP25-0027 — continued to Feb. 9, 2026 (hearing left open); motion carried by voice vote. - Approved: CDP25-0020 and SDP25-0029 (Monarch Bay addition) — motion carried by voice vote. - Approved: SDP25-0028 (attached 792-sq.-ft. ADU at 33881 El Encanto Avenue) — motion carried by voice vote.
What the decisions mean The Monarch Bay action allows an approximately 1,084-square-foot addition to a single-family house that staff identified as a nonconforming property because of a 12-foot front-yard setback; staff concluded the additions meet the required findings for a coastal development permit and a minor site development permit under the Dana Point General Plan and zoning code. The El Encanto decision permits a 1-bedroom attached ADU on a lot that remains nonconforming for parking and front-yard setback; staff noted that the ADU does not trigger a separate parking requirement under local ADU rules but the applicant voluntarily proposed additional on-site parking.
Next steps The continued coastal/site-permit hearing (CDP24-0015 / SDP25-0027) is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026. Approved permits may be subject to the conditions included in the staff draft resolutions and any required follow-up administrative steps by planning staff.
