Commission approves parking-deficiency exception for Mission Viejo Business Plaza

Planning staff presented PME2024-0002, a minor exception request seeking to allow a parking deficiency at three buildings in Mission Viejo Business Plaza and to confirm shared parking among center tenants. Staff said the center comprises 137,075 square feet of floor area, currently has 565 on-site spaces and a calculated requirement of 622 spaces by city standards, a deficit of 57 spaces prior to the proposed change.

Staff summarized a parking study prepared by Linscott Law and Greenspan Engineers (dated 04/07/2025) that used weekday counts in February 2025 and observed a peak of 366 occupied spaces (around 65% occupancy). "The overall parking deficit increases from 57 to 102, which is 18% deficient deficit as a result of the additional proposed medical office use," staff stated while recommending the commission find the site exempt from CEQA and adopt a resolution approving PME2024-0002 subject to conditions. An applicant representative described post-COVID occupancy declines and asked for permission to increase medical tenancy by about 15% on the three applicant buildings. After commissioners questioned hours of operation and confirmed conditions requiring a parking-management plan if problems arise, a motion to adopt the resolution allowing the parking deficiency passed; the commission granted the exception.