Planning commission approves Spa Del Rio permit to move into downtown office building
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Summary
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Spa Del Rio to relocate a massage and skin-care business to 265 Laguna Avenue; staff said the proposal fits the downtown commercial context and would not increase parking demand.
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on April 1 unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Spa Del Rio to relocate a massage and skin-care business to Unit 4 at 265 Laguna Avenue.
Associate Planner Sherryar Khan told commissioners the 1,317-square-foot tenant space sits within a 3,509-square-foot multi-tenant office building in the Central Business District office (CBDO) zone and that staff could make the required findings for approval. "The proposed use is consistent with the surrounding commercial context, would maintain a balanced mix of uses downtown, and would not result in an intensification of use," Khan said, noting staff found the action categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15301.
Architect Morris Kenderian introduced the project team and said interior work includes ADA-accessible bathrooms, new lighting, drywall and wiring under required building permits. Tenant Leslie Del Rio said Spa Del Rio has operated for more than five years and that staffing at the new location would start at three employees, increasing to up to six only on occasional high-demand days. "We've been operating Spa Del Rio for over 5 years now," Del Rio said.
Commissioners questioned parking and signage. The project team said the building is grandfathered with two on-site spaces and that public parking immediately adjacent to the site would serve customers; the prior medical office use had the same parking ratio as the proposed massage facility. Staff and the applicant said no exterior signage is planned at this time and that any future small blade sign could be handled administratively.
After commissioners voiced broad support and said they could make the findings, a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-2443 approving Conditional Use Permit 2025-2443 passed on a roll call vote with five "yes" votes from Commissioners Dubin, Sadler, Whiting, Chair Pro Tem Goldman and Chair Kellenberg.
The commission closed the item after offering the applicant congratulations and brief remarks. The applicant may proceed to meet the conditions in the adopted resolution and obtain required building permits before opening.
