[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655362,"mediaKeyId","5402475-b09102209577b8bd8b979ce6e52f97d6","parentId",5402475,"title","Dana Point council roundup: consent calendar approved with recusal; false alarm fee raised to $209; weed-abatement costs confirmed","audioSeconds",10044,"startMs",10044000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402475-b09102209577b8bd8b979ce6e52f97d6&start=10044&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402475-b09102209577b8bd8b979ce6e52f97d6/thumbnail_10044000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655362/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Dana-Point-council-roundup-consent-calendar-approved-with-recusal-false-alarm-fee-raised-to-209-weed-abatement-costs-confirmed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655362-c49f313d12aa4655d2bac5e21f85912a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775201619&Signature=eolzDPD0~gNerPZ-zEFbe8ldL~ROeUKAJh7pov0hgWv7~jL3fprmlOx4MO3rS9zwfgZh7Fib4hX~iyuqnBl2D2jZZuuDlNvZlvO7JcCcRJmcJmw0eGMmwyQZbXhcVb5A7W05Kh8xmDA65BhCLGG8akLFymRNWzOGU927wScxAH7DTxYG1QzrMHJ~kcAABUaZKC4i4XdwLMLt3F4lSNEbjcxTMtRCtAoqEb-dbcw-ymOVAR9uR8tkSGMsdiomFJ7mxPd4JfRwxmwNC2YZMKgQDaV~ErkChlMepEm7mlRgmEiVLpug3ovhlr3wQvJ1oczD7St-jQMTseF73n6GrVNHMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council Meetings 2025","date","2025-07-16T15:43:37Z","article","Dana Point City Council members on July 15 completed a series of administrative actions, including a consent-calendar vote that included a recusal, a public-safety fee update and formal confirmation of weed-abatement costs.

Consent calendar: recusal recorded

The council voted to adopt the consent calendar by roll call. During the roll call the council recorded a recusal by Councilmember Federico on item 8 (Victoria Boulevard), and the council then retook the roll call for a clean record. The consent calendar otherwise passed.

False-alarm fee

Staff presented an update to the city's false-alarm fee, noting an Orange County study and Board of Supervisors action that set the county false-alarm cost-recovery fee at $209 per qualifying false alarm effective July 1, 2025. Alton Spornick summarized the county cost study and referenced Dana Point Municipal Code section 11-60-20, which authorizes the city's false alarm program. Council moved and approved the staff recommendation to update the city fee to align with the county rate; the public record shows a voice vote in favor.

Weed abatement cost confirmation

The council heard a report on the city's weed abatement program from Ray Opreza. Staff said the program reached 135 property owners this year; voluntary compliance was achieved at 133 properties and two required city abatement. The council adopted a resolution confirming the cost report and authorizing collection of the weed-abatement costs. No public opposition was raised at the hearing.

Pines Park restroom survey (received)

City parks staff presented results of an informal May survey about adding a restroom at Pines Park. Staff reported that survey respondents were more than 80% Dana Point residents and that 65% supported adding a restroom while 35% opposed it. Early, planning-level cost estimates for a restroom and supporting infrastructure were presented in a range staff summarized at roughly $750,000 to $950,000 (approximate). Councilmembers and nearby residents discussed concerns about parking, potential nuisance impacts, hours of operation and management; staff will return with a design scope and refined cost if council directs. The matter was received and filed; council members expressed differing views but did not authorize construction at this meeting.

Backyard chickens (informational; staff to continue research)

Staff provided an informational report on residential chicken-keeping, noting other Orange County cities permit hens with rules (common limits include four hens and bans on roosters), setbacks and coop design standards. Several residents and council members spoke in favor and against; councilmembers asked staff to study model ordinances, enforcement mechanisms (including CASA/code enforcement responsibilities), HOA compatibility and potential alternatives such as community coops. The council indicated support for staff to continue researching the issue and return with options for code language and enforcement, but did not adopt an ordinance tonight.

Other items

The council also received a quarterly Dana Point Police Services report and recognized Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduates and wildfire preparedness outreach presented by Orange County Fire Authority staff.

Actions at a glance

- Consent calendar: approved; Councilmember Federico recused on item 8 (Victoria Boulevard) and the council retook roll call for the item.
- False-alarm fee: council adopted staff recommendation to update the fee to $209 per qualifying false alarm (aligned with Orange County effective 07/01/2025). Authority: Dana Point Municipal Code section 11-60-20; county Board of Supervisors cost study cited by staff.
- Weed abatement: council adopted a resolution confirming the weed-abatement cost report and authorized collection of abatement costs (135 properties contacted; 133 voluntary compliance; 2 city-initiated abatements).
- Pines Park restroom: survey results received (65% yes / 35% no among survey respondents, ~80% respondents Dana Point residents); staff may return with design and funding recommendations if directed.
- Residential chickens: informational report received; council directed staff to continue evaluating model ordinances, enforcement options and HOA compatibility.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting: July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dana Point city council on July 15 approved routine consent items (with a recusal), updated a false-alarm fee to $209 to match county cost recovery, and adopted a weed-abatement cost confirmation for billing.","taxTitle","Dana Point, Orange County, California","taxId",52415,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655367,"Dana Point council upholds denial of ADU at 33861 Malaga Drive, citing traffic and safety concerns",1509,6885000,8394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402475-b09102209577b8bd8b979ce6e52f97d6&start=6885&end=8394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402475-b09102209577b8bd8b979ce6e52f97d6/thumbnail_6885000.jpg","/articles/6655367/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Dana-Point-council-upholds-denial-of-ADU-at-33861-Malaga-Drive-citing-traffic-and-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655367-4eae57af1926270892f2a9697333d81d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775201619&Signature=TT98b4bX84mBaUcRrqh0~QEiIcSsRUEHdzTWKzUQqzrwxMBvzzf-lNrgCvoZQNsuLed5DFe8Z147JnvMvPoSV7igppkz2BWuINIijSMWhw640CdW8dG5PJA9Jid2gm9~3-WeNg4xfCtSX7Qc6fFmc3fxiwbYtNfR654wfGBJuSfw-RDCjVidUCghxUFgpbJUdW5wI9A8o4SKCELhNjhc4Sf2bLZN3rmgf-hTOoPTBiJ5dQQ90PBofVTwHq82v7h88y7KfaO43hzNfErsklbzlO7OK3rnZ2018PpYzMhSZWwMjqPwoAfabu29JWNhUaEpJ-H~zVZdQLVH-u~~ZXUQLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dana Point City Council on July 15 upheld the Planning Commission's decision and the community development director's denial of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permit application for 33861 Malaga Drive, rejecting an appeal by the property owner.

City project planner Alyssa Gonzales told the council the project proposed converting an existing two-car garage into a 384-square-foot studio ADU attached to a three-unit multifamily building on a 3,391-square-foot lot. Staff said the site lacks required parking and driveway length for safe vehicle movements: the zoning requires six parking stalls and a 20-foot driveway; the site has three stalls and a five-foot driveway. Gonzales said onsite and on-street conditions in the Lantern Village create line-of-sight, sidewalk-blocking, and circulation problems that justify denying ministerial approval under the city's local ADU map-area restrictions.

Appellant attorney Dylan Casey urged the council to overturn the denial, saying state ADU law (as cited in the appeal) prioritizes ministerial approval for conversions of existing space and limits local prohibition and replacement-of-parking requirements. \"The legislature has firmly decided to prioritize homes for people,\" Casey said, arguing the proposed conversion would not expand the building footprint and therefore qualifies for ministerial approval under state ADU statutes.

Residents who live near the site urged the council to affirm the denial. Doug Cannon, who lives on Silver Lantern, described chronic overcrowding, cars parked on sidewalks and at intersections, and a recent hit-and-run in the neighborhood. Several council members said the photo evidence and site visits supported staff's findings that parked cars block sidewalks and create unsafe conditions for pedestrians and motorists.

Council members repeatedly framed the decision as one of public safety and traffic management rather than opposition to ADUs in principle. Councilmember Federico said the Lantern Village lacks the on-street capacity and configuration to absorb additional residential parking without worsening pedestrian and traffic hazards. Multiple council members noted the city has approved ADUs in other locations where parking and circulation were adequate.

After council discussion the motion to uphold the Planning Commission and director's denial was made and seconded and passed (recorded vote: all in favor; roll call names not specified in the public record excerpt). The council did not adopt replacement parking or mitigation as conditions; staff noted the applicant had been offered the option to pursue a discretionary Site Development Permit (SDP) process but declined to do so.

The council's decision preserves the planning commission's written findings that the ADU would have a negative impact on public safety and traffic flow in map area 1 of the city's local ADU ordinance.

What the council decided and why

- Action: City Council upheld the Planning Commission and community development director's denial of ADU permit PLN25-0003 for 33861 Malaga Drive.
- Primary rationale: documented parking shortfall, substandard driveway length (required 20 feet; observed 5 feet), on-street parking blocking sidewalks and sight-lines, and traffic-engineering review that flagged circulation and pedestrian-safety risks.
- Applicant options noted by staff: the property owner was informed he could pursue an SDP (discretionary review) but had not submitted one as of the hearing.

Next steps and context

The appellant (represented by Dylan Casey) indicated litigation or further legal review may follow, saying the parties have differing interpretations of state ADU law and that the issue might be resolved in court if not by compromise. Staff and council members emphasized the decision applies to this site given its specific nonconforming conditions and mapped restrictions; they also reiterated that the city has approved ADUs elsewhere where parking and circulation allow it.

Evidence and public record

The council heard the staff presentation, public comment from the appellant's counsel and neighborhood residents, and reviewed photographic and field-observation evidence compiled during the local ADU mapping and traffic-engineering review. The minutes record that the council held a public hearing and then voted to uphold the denial.","The Dana Point City Council on July 15 upheld the Planning Commission and community development director's denial of an accessory dwelling unit permit to convert a two-car garage at 33861 Malaga Drive, citing public safety, traffic flow and parking deficiencies despite the applicant's claim that state ADU law requires ministerial approval.","actionData","errors"]

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Dana Point council roundup: consent calendar approved with recusal; false alarm fee raised to $209; weed-abatement costs confirmed

Dana Point council upholds denial of ADU at 33861 Malaga Drive, citing traffic and safety concerns