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Hanson Hotel appeal continued after notice error; native-plant group raises habitat concerns
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Summary
The San Clemente City Council agreed April 21 to renotice a de novo appeal hearing for the proposed Hanson Hotel after staff acknowledged a public-notice address error; environmental speakers said vegetation had been cleared and urged full CEQA and Coastal Act review.
The San Clemente City Council voted April 21 to continue and re-notice the de novo appeal hearing for the proposed Hanson Hotel to the May 19 regular meeting after staff said a published notice listed an incomplete project address.
Adam Matamian, the city’s community development director, told the council the city received a demand letter from appellants saying the notice omitted a digit and staff recommended not holding the hearing until noticing requirements were met. Matamian said staff’s earliest option was to renotice for May 19.
Members of the public who had traveled to speak on the project were allowed to comment before the council closed the hearing. An appellant asked how to handle slides and presentation materials; the council accommodated one short presentation but otherwise deferred a full applicant presentation to the renoticed hearing.
Ron Vanderhoff, speaking for the Orange County chapter of the California Native Plant Society, said his group had documented a functioning coastal sage scrub community on the site and that all vegetation was removed in January. “A follow-up site confirmed that the site had been completely and thoroughly cleared to bare soil, eliminating all native plant cover,” Vanderhoff said, arguing that vegetation removal may constitute development under the Coastal Act and that environmental review should use pre‑disturbance conditions.
After the public comments, Council member Wu moved to continue the item to the May 19 regular meeting; Mayor Pro Tem Novak seconded. The council voted in favor with no recorded opposition and the hearing was continued and will be renoticed with a new staff report.
The council’s action was procedural: the item was continued so that the city can correct its public notice and ensure required procedures are followed. The council did not vote on the project merits or on any permits at the April 21 meeting.
What’s next: staff will re-publish required notices, prepare an updated staff report and place the de novo hearing for the Hanson Hotel on the May 19 agenda for full consideration.
