JULY 9, 1991
CONTENTS OF
THE GENERAL PLAN
INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE ELEMENT
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
HOUSING ELEMENT
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
NOISE ELEMENT
PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT
CONSERVATION/ OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
PUBLIC FACILITIES/ GROWTH MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
APPENDICES
1 INTRODUCTION
JULY 9, 1991
INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL PLAN
Dana Point became an incorporated city on January 1, 1989. The City includes the
original “ Dana Point” named after Richard Henry Dana, and the surrounding
coastal area, a total area of 6.5 square miles. The City lies in the southwest
portion of Orange County and is part of the larger Southern California region, an
area in which the population and economy have grown substantially over the past
40 years. Dana Point is a coastal city with a picturesque Pacific coastline
extending almost seven miles from Laguna Beach on the north to San Clemente on
the south. This interface between water and land is characterized by rugged
coastal bluffs separated by two major freshwater drainages, San Juan Creek and
Salt Creek, which empty into the Pacific Ocean.
Development in the Dana Point area began in the early 1900’ s, but substantial
development did not occur until the decades following World War II. Over time,
that development created the tree pre- incorporate communities of Dana Point,
Capistrano Beach, and Monarch Beach. A 2,500- boat harbor with many water
related facilities and a major State Park make the City a destination for many
visitors.
2 INTRODUCTION
JULY 9, 1991
THE FUTURE OF DANA POINT
The future of Dana Point, like that of all cities, will be the
cumulative result of past and current decision making by those who
have a local role in the development process, such as residents,
property and business owners, elected officials and staff. In
addition, Dana Point’s future will be influenced by large- scale
economic, social, and environmental events and trends. Participates
who have a local role in the development process may have little
control over large- scale forces, but can utilize the authority and
resources they possess to create change in the physical development
of the City over time, to create positive results are most likely to be
achieved through concerted efforts to build upon those significant
natural and man- made characteristics of the community which
constitute fundamental strengths or opportunities commonly
acknowledged by the local participants. These significant natural
and man- made characteristics include Dana Point’s natural physical
form, its coastline as a unique area of interface between land and
water, and the diversity of its man- made physical development.
Natural Physical Form
The physical landform of Dana Point is characterized by nearly
seven miles of Pacific Ocean coastline consisting of prominent
coastal bluffs and rolling hills, separated by two major drainage
basins, which flow into the ocean. Between these two basins is a
unique apex of land, a promontory known as the “ Headlands” which
overlooks Dana Point Harbor, one of the most significant man- made
alterations of the Orange County coastline. This consummate blend
of the natural and man- made environment can be duplicated in very
few places. The strong visual image created by this blend is a
unifying element of physical form, easily recognized and
remembered, having fundamental importance and value.
Coastline
The coastline of Dana Point is an exceptional area where the
interface between land and water can be experienced in different
ways. With its combination of high coastal bluffs and coastal access
where the San Juan and Salt Creek basins meet the ocean, both
inhabitants and visitors to Dana Point have the opportunity to enjoy
the coastline by viewing it from visual vantage points along the
bluffs or further inland, or by utilizing community beaches and the
3 INTRODUCTION
JULY 9, 1991
Harbor. Maintaining these different ways of experiencing the
attractions offered by a beautiful coastline setting is fundamental in
the establishment of an image of Dana Point’s future.
Diversity of Development
The pre- incorporation development of the Dana Point area as three
communities – Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, and Monarch Beach –
has created diversity in the physical development of the City. This
has provided a certain eclectic quality characteristic of communities,
which have developed over relatively long periods of time. The
City’s diversity is not simply a range of land use types, but is a rich
collection of structures having different functions and exhibiting a
variety of architectural styles and influences. This sense of diversity
and variety is an important fundamental trait of present- day Dana
Point, and is a source of interest and charm for inhabitants and
visitors alike.
Future of Dana Point
These three significant natural and man- made characteristics provide
a commonly acknowledged basis for future development, growth,
and sense of place. Together, they act as a foundation for the
continuation of Dana Point as a successful community in the future –
desirable, attractive, and functional, for those who live, work, or visit
there.
PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL PLAN
California State law requires each city and county to adopt a
comprehensive, long- term general plan for its own physical
development. In essence, a city’s general plan serves as the
blueprint for future growth and development. As a blueprint for the
future, the plan must contain policies and programs designed to
provide decision makers with a solid basis for land use related
decisions.
The general plan must address many issues which are directly
related to and influence land use decisions. In addition to land use,
State law requires that the plan address circulation, housing, the
conservation of natural resources, the preservation of open space, the
noise environment and the protection of public safety ( Section 65302
of the California Government Code). These issues are to be
4 INTRODUCTION
AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
discussed to the extent that each applies to the particular jurisdiction.
The general plan may also cover topics of special or unique interest
to a city or county, such as urban design and economic development.
Adopted in 1976, the purpose of the California Coastal Act is to
generally protect the natural and scenic qualities of the California
Coastal Zone. Approximately one- half of the City’s land area lies
within the California Coastal Zone and is therefore, subject to
requirements of the California Coastal Act ( Division 20 of the Public
Resources Code commending with Section 30000). To meet these
requirements, the City must have a California Coastal Commission
certified Local Coastal Program ( LCP) consisting of its “( a) land use
plans, ( b) zoning ordinances, ( c) zoning district maps, and ( d) within
sensitive coastal resources area, other implementing actions, which,
when taken together, meet the requirements of, and implement the
provisions of policies of, this division at the local level.” ( Public
Resources Code § 30108.6). Therefore, the portions of the City’s
General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map and other
implementing actions effectively certified by the Coastal
Commission will constitute its LCP for that portion of the Coastal
Zone within its jurisdiction. California Coastal Commission
certification of the City’s LCP allows the City to assume
responsibility for administering coastal development permits in those
areas of its coastal zone that are not on submerged lands, tide lands,
public trust lands, or state universities or colleges. As a component
of the City’s LCP, the portions of the General Plan effectively
certified by the Coastal Commission includes required coastal
resources planning and management policies which are in
conformance with and intended to carry out the Chapter Three
policies of the California Coastal Act of 1976. These coastal
resources planning and management policies shall be applied in a
manner which is most protective of coastal resources and public
access.
ORGANIZATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
The City of Dana Point General Plan contains goals, policies and
programs which are intended to guide land use and development
decisions into the twenty- first century. The Plan consists of a Land
Use Policy Map and the following nine elements, or chapters, which
together fulfill the state requirements for a general plan. The nine
5 INTRODUCTION
JULY 9, 1991
elements are: Land Use, Urban Design, Housing, Circulation,
Noise, Public Safety, Conservation/ Open Space, Economic
Development, and Public Facilities/ Growth Management. Table I- 1
illustrates the relationship between the General Plan’s nine elements
and the seven state- mandated elements.
TABLE I- 1
RELATIONSHIP OF DANA POINT GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
TO STATE- MANDATED ELEMENTS
DANA POINT STATE- MANDATED GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS OPTIONAL
GENERAL PLAN
ELEMENT
Land
Use
Housing Circulation Noise Public
Safety
Conservation/
Open Space
Land Use *
Urban Design *
Housing *
Circulation *
Noise *
Public Safety *
Conservation/
Open Space
*
Public Facilities/
Growth
Management
*
Economic
Development
*
Approach to General Plan Organization
The Dana Point General Plan consists of text and maps. The Plan
provides direction for the City’s growth and development. Several
supporting documents completed during the preparation of the Plan,
include the Master Environmental Assessment, various technical
reports, the Traffic Analysis, Design Guidelines, the Implementation
Plan and the General Plan Program Final Environmental Impact
Report ( Program FEIR). These documents provide substantial
background information for the General Plan.
The Master Environmental Assessment ( MEA), which describes the
existing environmental setting in the City, serves as a reference
document for future development which occurs within the City. The
subject areas of the MEA follow the format prescribed by the
California Environmental quality Act ( CEQA) Guidelines.
6 INTRODUCTION
APRIL 13, 1999
GPA99- 01/ LCPA99- 01
The preparation of each general plan element was preceded by the
preparation of a technical report. The technical reports identify
issues and constraints ( i. e., existing conditions, infrastructure
constraints, funding considerations) which were used to guide the
formulation of General Plan policy. The Traffic Analysis assesses
traffic impacts of implementing the General Plan and the Design
Guidelines provide criteria for design of residential and non-residential
development.
The Implementation Plan identifies programs designed to achieve
goals and policies contained in the General Plan. Because the
Implementation Plan is not adopted as part of the General Plan, it
may be amended annually or as required. In fact, the
Implementation Plan should be reviewed and updated annually to
help identify specific time frames, responsible parties, and specific
measures to ensure that the General Plan policies are implemented.
The General Plan Program FEIR analyzes the potential
environmental impacts of the policies and programs contained in the
General Plan. The Program FEIR differs from the MEA in that it
focuses upon the specific impacts of the General Plan policies, rather
than the pre- General Plan environmental conditions of the City.
Element Organization
Each of the nine General Plan elements is comprised of three
sections – the Introduction, the Goals and Policies, and the Plan.
The Introduction describes the purpose and focus of the element and
also introduces other plans and programs outside of the General Plan
which may be used to achieve specific General Plan goals.
The Goals and Policies section presents the City’s long- term
objectives for the subject area of each element. The goals and
policies are arranged by issue of subject, and a brief description of
philosophy or basis behind this objective precedes each group of
goals and policies.
For general reference, goals and policies may be defined as follows:
GOAL: A goal is a broad statement of purpose and/ or direction.
Policy: A policy describes a more definitive course of action
supporting the achievement of a goal.
7 INTRODUCTION
APRIL 13, 1999
GPA99- 01/ LCPA99- 01
The third and final section of each element consists of the “ plan,” or
the further definition of programs to be used to implement General
Plan policy. For example, the Land Use Element contains a “ Land
Use Plan” which indicates the types and intensities of land use
permitted city- wide. The “ Circulation Plan” in the Circulation
Element includes a Master Circulation Plan showing streets and
intersections to be improved and new infrastructure provided to meet
the circulation needs of City residents and those employed in or
visiting the City. As appropriate, each element contains maps,
diagrams and tables to illustrate General Plan policy.
Local Coastal Program Components
The certified Land Use Plan (“ LUP”) policies, land use designations,
and maps, diagrams, figures, tables and other graphics for all areas
of the City of Dana Point’s coastal zone, excepting the uncertified
Dana Strands area and the area covered by the existing certified
Dana Point Specific Plan/ Local Coastal Program, are contained in
the Land Use, Urban Design, and Conservation/ Open Space
Elements of the General Plan. The policies, land use designations,
and maps, diagrams, figures, tables and other graphics which apply
specifically to Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point Headlands, Dana
Point Town Center, and other geographic areas of the City which are
covered by the existing Dana Point Specific Plan/ Local Coastal
Program are contained within the Dana Point Specific Plan/ Local
Coastal Program. These LUP policies, land use designations, and
maps and other graphics contained in the Dana Point Specific
Plan/ Local Coastal Program remain in effect for local coastal
program purposes for those specific geographic areas. The Certified
LUP carries out the requirements of the California Coastal Act by
including coastal resources planning and management policies
described in Chapter 3 of the California Coastal Act. Identification
of the Chapter Three policies is provided by the inclusion of
parenthetical references to the applicable section of the California
Coastal Act. For example, a policy statement relating to coastal
visual resources will be followed by the parenthetical reference
( Coastal Act/ 30251) to indicate that the policy relates to or addresses
scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas as required by Section
30251 of the California Coastal Act. The Land Use, Urban Design,
and Conservation/ Open Space Elements also each contain a
8 INTRODUCTION
AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
reference matrix identifying Coastal Act planning and management
issue areas and the Chapter 3 Coastal Act policies applicable to that
element.
No changes to the Certified LUP policies, land use designations, and
maps, diagrams, tables, and other graphics of the Certified Land Use
Plan shall be effective unless and until such changes are effectively
certified by the Coastal Commission.
9 INTRODUCTION
JULY 9, 1991
10 INTRODUCTION
JULY 9, 1991
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
The citizens and other members of the public play an important role
in both the preparation and implementation of the General Plan.
Because the Plan reflects community goals and objectives, citizen
input is essential in identifying issues and formulating goals. Public
participation in the General Plan preparation process occurred
through the following methods which assisted City decision makers:
· Issues identification through a mail survey distributed to
3,000 households in the City;
· Public “ Open House” sessions held early in the process at
different locations in the City to solicit input for issues
identification and goal formulation;
· Opportunities to address decision makers ( the City Council
and the Planning Commission meeting as a committee)
regarding issues, concerns, and desires at numerous General
Plan Workshops both prior to preparation and during review
of the Preliminary Draft General Plan; and
· Public review and comment on the Draft General Plan and its
supporting documents during public hearings held before the
City’s Planning Commission and City Council.
JULY 9, 1991
CITY OF DANA POINT
CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMISSION
William R. Bamattre Lynn Dawson
Judy Curreri James Hyde
Mike Eggers Robert Montgomery
Eileen L. Krause Carlos N. Olvera
Karen Lloreda William
Ossenmacher
Mark Sloate
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Edward M. Knight, Director of Community Development
Lance B. Schulte, Senior Planner
Gregory J. Pfost, Assistant Planner
Kit Fox, Planning Technician
Sue Curley, Secretary
CONSULTANTS TO THE CITY IN
PREPARATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
COTTON/ BELAND/ ASSOCIATES, INC.
Urban and Environmental Planning
Pasadena and Encinitas
Agajanian & Associates Economic
Development
Austin- Foust Associates
Transportation
Gerald Gast, AIA, and Daniel Hillmer, AIA Urban
Design
Mestre Greve Associates Noise
Zeiser Geotechnical Geotechnical
LAND USE ELEMENT
i OCTOBER 26, 1999
GPA97- 03
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
Introduction to the Land Use Element 1
Purpose of the Land Use Element 1
Scope and Content of Element 2
Local Coastal Program 3
Related Plans and Programs 4
Land Use Element Goals and Policies 8
Balanced Development in Dana Point 9
Compatibility Among Land Uses 11
Directing Growth to Maintain and Improve Quality of Life 13
Preservation of Natural Resources 16
Development of the Headlands 17
Development of the Town Center 19
Development of the Doheny Village 20
Development of Monarch Beach 21
Development of Capistrano by the Sea 23
Protection of Resident- Serving Land Uses 25
Related Goals and Policies 25
The Land Use Plan 28
Land Use Policy Considerations 28
Land Use Designations 29
Land Use Policy Diagram 38
Distribution of Land Uses 39
Specific Plan Areas 45
LAND USE ELEMENT
ii JUNE 27, 1995
GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table LU- 1 Local Coastal Program Reference Matrix 26
Table LU- 2 Land Use Related Goals and Policies by Element 27
Table LU- 3 Development Intensity/ Density Standards 30
Table LU- 4 Future Land Use and Population in the City 43
Table LU- 5 Planned Land use Distribution by Percentage 44
Table LU- 6 Headlands – Planned Land Use Composition 48
Table LU- 7 Town Center – Planned Land Use Composition 50
Table LU- 8 Doheny Village – Planned Land Use Composition 53
Table LU- 9 Monarch Beach – Planned Land Use Composition 56
Table LU- 10 Harbor – Planned Land Use Composition 58
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure LU- 1 Coastal Zone 5
Figure LU- 2 Floor Area Ratio Defined 31
Figure LU- 3 Land Use Policy Diagram Key Sheet 40
Figure LU- 4/ 5 Land Use Policy Diagrams 41/ 42
Figure LU- 6 Headlands – Land use Policy Diagram 47
Figure LU- 7 Town Center – Land Use Policy Diagram 49
Figure LU- 8 Doheny Village – Land Use Policy Diagram 52
Figure LU- 9 Monarch Beach – Land use Policy Diagram 55
Figure LU- 10 Harbor – Land Use Policy Diagram 57
LAND USE ELEMENT
1 JULY 9, 1991
INTRODUCTION TO
THE LAND USE ELEMENT
The Land Use Element is a guide to the allocation of land use in the City and
has major impacts on key issues and subject areas examined in the other
Elements of the Plan. For example, all future land use within the City
described in this Element will affect the transportation system discussed in the
Circulation Element, residential development affects housing policies and
programs contained in the Housing Element, and identified recreational or open
space lands represent the application of Conservation/ Open Space Element
policy planning. Land use policy will also affect numerous issues in the
remaining Plan Elements, including those concerned with Economic
Development, Urban Design, Public Facilities and Growth Management,
Public Safety, and Noise.
The Land Use Policy Diagram which describes future planned land uses within
the City is a primary feature of the Element. The Land Use Policy Diagram is
included in this Element and a larger version is included in the pocket of the
General Plan document binder. The land use designations depicted on the
Diagram are described in the narrative portion of the Land Use Element.
PURPOSE OF THE LAND USE ELEMENT
The City of Dana Point represents the unification of three distinct
pre- incorporation communities -- Dana Point, Monarch Beach
and Capistrano Beach. These coastal communities developed
together, before incorporation, through the efforts of local
community planning groups with guidance provided by the
County of Orange. That history of strong local involvement in
the planning process, and the existence of common goals and
aspirations led to the incorporation of the City of Dana Point in
1989. To maintain and improve the quality of Dana Point, the
City will strive to achieve Land Use desires through the
implementation of the policies contained in this Element. The
goals include:
° Establishment of a balanced, functional mixture of
different types of Land Use that are consistent with the City's
long- range goals and values;
LAND USE ELEMENT
2 JULY 9, 1991
° Quality new development or revitalization of existing
development within the City and removal of constraints that
prevent these desirable changes;
° Preservation of developed and undeveloped portions of
the City which have cultural, social and natural resource value
to the City and it's citizens;
° Financially sound investment of public and private funds
that effectively supports both desirable change and
preservation within the City; and
° Reduction of loss of life, injury and property damage that
might occur as a result of natural hazards, such as flooding,
seismic activity, soils erosion and storm waves, and man- made
hazards, such as unsound construction, poor traffic patterns
and roadway conditions, and incompatibility among different
land uses.
The Land Use Element promotes the achievement of these goals
by establishing clear, logical patterns and standards for future
land use. The Element does so through the use of narrative text,
tables, diagrams and mapping, and its single most important
feature is the Land Use Policy Diagram. This diagram, a copy of
which is contained in the Element and in the pocket of the
General Plan document binder, indicates the location, density
and intensity of future development for all land uses city- wide.
Finally, the goals and policies contained in this Element establish
a constitutional framework for future land use planning and
decision making in the City.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE ELEMENT
This Element presents the City's goals and policies regarding
land use for the long- term growth, development and
revitalization of the City. The Land Use Element contains text
describing land use goals and policies, land use descriptions, a
Policy Diagram and a statistical summary of the land use
distribution illustrated on the Policy Diagram.
The Land Use/ Local Coastal Element Technical Report,
prepared prior to preparation of the Land Use Element, is a
supporting background document which contains quantitative
information about the distribution of land use in Dana Point.
LAND USE ELEMENT
3 JULY 9, 1991
This technical report may be updated periodically as a means of
maintaining a data base of current land use conditions in the
City.
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
As discussed in the Introduction, the General Plan, Zoning
Ordinance, Zoning Map, and other implementing actions
constitute the Local Coastal Program ( LCP) for that portion of
the coastal zone within the City's jurisdiction. The LCP includes
several required components and issue areas which relate to the
subjects of several different General Plan Elements; therefore,
specific components of the LCP are distributed among various
elements of the General Plan and are individually discussed
within their applicable Plan Element. To fully identify all
components of the LCP, a matrix is provided which cross-references
LCP components/ issue areas with the supporting
information included in the elements of the General Plan and
Zoning Ordinance. The portion of the Local Coastal Program
Reference Matrix that applies to the Land Use Element is
provided in Table LU- 1, located at the end of the section of this
Element entitled " Land Use Element - Local Coastal Program
Reference Matrix".
The Land Use Element is a major component of the LCP and
consists of " relevant portions of a local government's General
Plan... which are sufficiently detailed to indicate the kinds,
location, and intensity of land uses, the applicable resource
protection and development policies and, where necessary, a
listing of implementing actions" ( Section 30108.5, Coastal Act).
The City's LCP requires certification by the Coastal
Commission. After certification the City assumes responsibility
for administering coastal development permits in those areas of
its coastal zone that are not on submerged lands, tide lands,
public trust lands, or state universities or colleges. Development
within the City's coastal zone would then be approved only if
found to be in conformity with the certified LCP.
Approximately 2,158 of the City's total 4,148 acres lie within the
coastal zone. The City's coastal zone is identified in Figure LU-
1.
Identification of those portions of the Land Use Element, and
other General Plan elements which constitute components of the
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
4 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
City's Local Coastal Program, is provided by the inclusion of
parenthetical references to the applicable sections of the
California Coastal Act. For example, a policy statement relating
to coastal visual resources will be followed by the parenthetical
reference ( Coastal Act/ 30251) to indicate that the policy relates
to or addresses scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas as
required by that section of the California Coastal Act.
RELATED PLANS AND PROGRAMS
The scope and content of the Land Use Element is primarily
governed by the General Plan Law and Guidelines and the
Planning, Zoning and Development Laws for the state
( California Government Code Sections 65000- 66009). In
addition, there are a number of other plans and programs that are
considered in the formulation, adoption and implementation of
land use policy. Relevant plans and programs are described in
this section.
County Of Orange Zoning Ordinance and City of Dana
Point Zoning Ordinance
Following incorporation and prior to adoption of a City Zoning
Ordinance, the City elected to use the County of Orange Zoning
Ordinance as an interim means of regulating land use. The
County Zoning Ordinance was supplemented directly by
City- adopted ordinances which tailored its application to the City
of Dana Point. The City adopted its own Zoning Code in 1993
as the primary implementation tool for the Land Use Element,
and its goals and policies. The City Zoning Ordinance and
Zoning Map will be consistent with the City's General Plan and
Land Use Policy Diagram. Together, the Zoning Ordinance and
Zoning Map will identify specific types of land use, intensity of
use, and development and performance standards applicable to
specific areas and parcels of land within the City.
LAND USE ELEMENT
5 JULY 9, 1991
Figure LU- 1
LAND USE ELEMENT
6 JULY 9, 1991
Regional/ Local Plans
The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) is
responsible for the regional planning in Southern California.
SCAG has been preparing long range growth and development
plans for the Southern California region since the early 1970s as
part of the ongoing Development Guide Program. This program
provides a framework for coordinating local and regional
decisions regarding future growth and development. An
important component of this process is the preparation of growth
forecast policies at intervals ranging from three to five years.
The adopted growth forecast policies become the basis for
SCAG's functional plans ( transportation, housing, air and water)
for the region. The population totals and growth distribution are
used in planning the future capacity of highways and transit
systems, quantity and location of housing, water supply systems,
and siting and sizing of sewage treatment systems.
Orange County governmental agencies have developed regional
and local facilities and service plans which affect land use policy
in the City. For example, land use policy and circulation
decisions of the City are affected by the planning and anticipated
development of the San Joaquin Corridor, a major freeway
serving the southwest coastal Orange County area. In addition to
County agencies, local water and sewer service districts provide
key development supporting services; school districts offer
educational services and facilities that are essential to City
families; and the local park district provides recreational
opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
Descriptions of relevant State, County and Local Agency
planning are found in the applicable General Plan Element.
Specific Plans/ Planned Communities
Much of the City's development has been shaped by the three
pre- incorporation Specific Plans for Dana Point, Capistrano
Beach, and South Laguna, and the Planned Communities of
Laguna Niguel, Dana Point Harbor and Bear Brand. The
Specific Plan and Planned Community documents provided
policy guidance and regulatory control of development before
incorporation and during the preparation of the City's General
Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The three Specific Plan documents
included Local Coastal Programs required by the California
Coastal Act.
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
7 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Specific Plans may also be used as a method for implementing
the City's General Plan in the future. Specific Plans are
authorized by Section 65451 of the Government Code and are
used by many cities and counties to implement general plan
policy for identified geographic subareas or properties within
their jurisdictions. Specific Plans implement general plan policy
by establishing regulations, conditions, and programs concerning
the following:
° Development standards and precise location for land use and
facilities;
° Standards and locations for streets, roadways, and other
transportation facilities;
° Standards indicating population density and building intensity,
and provisions for supporting services and infrastructure;
° Specific standards designed to address the use, development
and conservation of natural resources; and
° Other provisions for the implementation of the General Plan.
LAND USE ELEMENT
8 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
LAND USE ELEMENT GOALS AND POLICIES
The goals and policies contained in this element provide guidance for
development of vacant land, revitalization of existing development, and
preservation of the many stable and desirable areas within the City. The goals
and policies of this element are aimed at:
° Achieving a balanced mixture of residential, commercial, industrial, and other
land uses;
° Achieving compatibility and enhancement among the various land use types;
° Directing growth to maintain and improve the quality of life;
° Preserving natural environmental resources;
° Providing for suitable development of the Headlands;
° Achieving enhanced development of the Town Center as a primary business
district;
° Achieving revitalization of the Doheny Village as a primary business district;
° Providing for suitable development of Monarch Beach;
° Protecting resident- serving land uses; and
° Implementing state coastal resources planning and management policies.
As described earlier in this element, identification of those coastal resources
planning and management policies within the Land Use Element, which are
part of the City's Local Coastal Program, is provided by parenthetical
references to the applicable sections of the California Coastal Act.
LAND USE ELEMENT
9 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IN DANA POINT
Balancing development within the City requires the inclusion of
a mixture of different types of land use - residential, commercial,
industrial, community facilities, recreation and open space, and
others. A well- balanced community offers a broad range of land
uses organized in a desirable pattern and intensity which
enhances the overall living environment. By providing for a
balanced mixture of land uses, the City can achieve a suitable
inventory of housing to meet the needs of all income groups, a
stable commercial and employment base, recreational
opportunities for inhabitants and visitors, and acceptable public
facilities and services. An appropriate pattern and balance of
land use is the key to the fiscal and social health of the City.
The existing mix of development within the City has been
shaped by pre- incorporation planning efforts. These previous
planning efforts generally provided an adequate balance of land
uses within the City. However, greater and more appropriate
balance is achieved by increasing the overall proportion of non-residential
development, particularly in the Town Center and
Doheny Village areas. Future employment opportunities within
the City are expanded by increasing the percentage of lands
designated for industrial, office, and business use and the long-term
fiscal condition of the City is strengthened. Community
facilities consist primarily of land owned by school, water,
sewer, and park and recreation districts. Expansion of the land
area designated for community facilities is necessary to
accommodate additional City facilities.
GOAL 1: Achieve a desirable mixture of land uses to meet
the residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, open
space, cultural and public service needs of the City residents.
Policy 1.1: Develop standards for building intensity, including
standards for ground coverage, setbacks, open
space/ landscaping, maximum dwellings per acre, floor area
ratios, size and height restrictions.
Policy 1.2: Establish maximum intensities of development for
each of the various land use categories.
Policy 1.3: Assure that land use intensities are consistent with
capacities of existing and planned public service facilities.
LAND USE ELEMENT
10 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
Where existing or planned public works facilities can
accommodate only a limited amount of new development,
services to coastal dependent land use, essential public services
and basic industries vital to the economic health of the region,
state, or nation, public recreation, commercial recreation, and
visitor- serving land uses shall not be precluded by other
development. ( Coastal Act/ 30250, 30254)
Policy 1.4: Assure that adequate recreational areas and open
space are provided as a part of new residential development to
assure that the recreational needs of new residents will not
overload nearby coastal recreation areas. ( Coastal Act/ 30252)
Policy 1.5: Work closely with Orange County to plan for the
future development within the Harbor Area and to assure that
additional development is compatible with existing uses and
enhances the scenic, recreational and visitor opportunities for the
area. ( Coastal Act/ 30220- 224, 30233, 30234, 30250, 30252,
30255)
Policy 1.6: The development of unified or clustered commercial
centers and neighborhood commercial centers rather than
continued development of Strip Commercial shall be encouraged
to minimize significant adverse individual or cumulative impacts
on public access. ( Coastal Act/ 30250, 30252)
Policy 1.7: Require comprehensive analysis and mitigation for
any proposed General Plan Amendment to ensure that the
amendment will result in a desirable mixture of land uses
meeting the social and fiscal needs of the City and its residents.
Policy 1.8: The location and amount of new development
should maintain and enhance public access to the coast by
facilitating the provision or extension of transit service,
providing non- automobile circulation within the development,
providing adequate parking facilities or providing substitute
means of serving the development with public transportation,
and assuring the potential for public transit for high intensity
uses. ( Coastal Act/ 30252)
Policy 1.9: New or expanded public works facilities shall be
designed and limited to accommodate needs generated by
development or uses permitted consistent with the certified local
coastal program. Special districts which include the coastal zone
shall not be formed or expanded except where assessment for,
LAND USE ELEMENT
11 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
and provision of, the service would not induce new development
inconsistent with the City of Dana Point certified local coastal
program. ( Coastal Act/ 30254)
COMPATIBILITY AND ENHANCEMENT AMONG LAND USES
As the City develops, new land uses replace existing ones and
the characteristics of individual land uses which distinguish them
from one another can also be described as differences which
cause them to be incompatible when they occur close together.
For example, the traffic, night lighting, noise, and odors
associated with an otherwise successful commercial area may be
perceived as nuisances for nearby residents. An understanding
of impacts which occur when different types of land use develop
close to one another leads to proper planning and positive
impacts on surrounding land uses. The use of horizontal
separation, vertical separation of buildings and uses, landscaping,
walls, and proper orientation of buildings, lighting, and street
access can avoid or minimize land conflicts and impacts, and
enhance the overall living environment.
LAND USE ELEMENT
12 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
GOAL 2: Achieve compatibility and enhance relationships
among land uses in the community.
Policy 2.1: Consider the impacts on surrounding land uses and
infrastructure when reviewing proposals for new
development. ( Coastal Act/ 30250)
Policy 2.2: Visitor serving commercial areas shall not intrude
into existing residential communities. ( Coastal Act/ 30250)
Policy 2.3: Develop regulatory mechanisms to mitigate land use
conflicts. The portions of the General Plan effectively certified
by the Coastal Commission as the Land Use Plan shall take
precedence over all other General Plan elements in the area of
the City within the Coastal Zone.
Policy 2.4: Encourage the use of shared parking facilities,
such as through parking districts or other mechanisms, in a
manner that maintains and, where feasible, improves public
access to the coast. ( Coastal Act/ 30212.5/ 30252)
Policy 2.5: Facilities serving the commercial fishing and
recreational boating industries shall be protected and, where
feasible, upgraded. Proposed recreational boating facilities shall,
where feasible, be designed and located in such a fashion as not
to interfere with the needs of the commercial fishing industry.
( Coastal Act/ 30234)
Policy 2.6: Increased recreational boating use of coastal
waters shall be encouraged, consistent with other provisions of
the certified local coastal program. ( Coastal Act/ 30224)
Policy 2.7: Coastal- dependent developments, as defined in
Chapter 9.75 of the Zoning Code, shall have priority over other
developments on or near the shoreline. Except as provided for in
Conservation and Open Space Element Policy 3.6, coastal-dependent
developments shall not be sited in a wetland. Coastal-related
developments should be accommodated within the closest
feasible proximity to the coastal- dependent uses they support.
( Coastal Act/ 30255)
Policy 2.8: Coastal water areas suited for water- oriented
recreation activities shall be protected for such uses. ( Coastal
Act/ 30220)
LAND USE ELEMENT
13 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
Policy 2.9: Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall
be protected for recreational use and development unless present
and foreseeable future demand for public or commercial
recreational activities that could be accommodated on the
property is already adequately provided for in the area. ( Coastal
Act/ 30221)
Policy 2: 10: The use of private lands suitable for visitor- serving
commercial recreational facilities designed to enhance public
opportunities for coastal recreation shall have priority over
private residential, general industrial, or general commercial
development, but not over agriculture or coastal- dependent
industry. ( Coastal Act/ 30222)
Policy 2: 11: The location and amount of new development
should maintain and enhance public access to the coast by
assuring that the recreational needs of new residents will not
overload nearby coastal recreation areas through the correlation
of the amount of development with local park acquisition and
development plans with the provision of on- site recreational
facilities to serve the new development. ( Coastal Act/ 30252( 6))
Policy 2: 12: Oceanfront land that is suitable for coastal
dependent aquaculture shall be protected for that use, and
proposals for aquaculture facilities located on those sites shall be
given priority, except over other coastal dependent developments
or uses. ( Coastal Act/ 30222.5)
DIRECTING GROWTH TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE QUALITY
OF LIFE
As the City matures, additional demands will be placed on public
services and infrastructure ( e. g., police, fire and recreation, and
streets, water lines, sewer lines, power lines, and others). The
infrastructure system serving Dana Point includes major
components or " back bone systems" which can provide the
capacity to accommodate projected growth. The secondary
components, connecting development with the major
components of the infrastructure system, must be extended to
support new development and replacement of aging portions of
the system needs to occur in the future to maintain the present
quality of services provided. Continued demand for these public
LAND USE ELEMENT
14 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
services and facilities requires adequate planning for the
financing of future improvements to ensure that the quality of
City life is maintained or improved in the future.
GOAL 3: Direct growth of the community so as to maintain
and improve the quality of life.
Policy 3.1: Require new development to contribute its share of
the cost of providing necessary public services and facilities
through equitable development fees and exactions. ( Coastal
Act/ 30250)
Policy 3.2: Coordinate Dana Point's land use and growth
policies with the County and other communities in the region to
strengthen and promote interjurisdictional communication and
cooperation.
Policy 3.3: Priority should be given to those projects that
provide for coastal recreational opportunities for the public.
Lower cost visitor and recreational facilities shall be protected,
encouraged, and, where feasible, provided. Upland areas
necessary to support coastal recreational uses shall be reserved
for such uses, where feasible. ( Coastal Act/ 30213, 30222,
30223)
Policy 3.4: Examine the short term and long term fiscal effects
of development and revitalization decisions.
Policy 3.5: Public facilities including parking areas or facilities
shall, wherever appropriate and feasible, be distributed
throughout the coastal zone area to mitigate against the impacts,
social and otherwise, of overcrowding and overuse by the public
of any single area. ( Coastal Act/ 30212.5)
Policy 3.6: Encourage patterns of development necessary to
minimize air pollution and vehicle miles traveled. ( Coastal
Act/ 30250)
Policy 3.7: Encourage safe and convenient bicycle and
pedestrian access throughout the community. ( Coastal
Act/ 30210- 212.5, 30250, 30252)
Policy 3.8: Allow increases in intensity up to the maximum
floor area ratio identified in the Land Use Element only where
development projects demonstrate exceptional design quality,
LAND USE ELEMENT
15 AUGUST 26, 1997
GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
important public amenities or public benefits, or other factors
that promote important goals and policies of the General Plan.
Policy 3.9: Designate the right- of- way for Alipaz Street for
Open Space use if Alipaz Street is removed from the Master Plan
of Arterial Highways in the future.
Policy 3.10: Consider designating vacated street rights- of- way
for Open Space use. Any public rights- of- way which lead to
navigable waters shall not be vacated, and may be used for
public recreation/ open space or public pedestrian purposes if not
needed for vehicular traffic. ( Coastal Act/ 30210- 212, 30213)
Policy 3.11: Development shall not interfere with the public’s
right of access to the sea where acquired through use or
legislative authorization, including, but not limited to, the use of
dry sand and rocky coastal beaches to the first line of terrestrial
vegetation. ( Coastal Act/ 30211)
Policy 3.12: Public access from the nearest public roadway to
the shoreline and along the coast shall be provided in new
development projects except where it is inconsistent with public
safety, military security needs, or the protection of fragile coastal
resources, or where adequate access exists nearby, including
access as identified on Figures UD- 2 and COS- 4. ( Coastal
Act/ 30212)
LAND USE ELEMENT
16 JULY 27, 1995
( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Portions of the City consist of fragile coastal beaches and bluffs,
hillsides, and canyons which are sensitive to changes associated
with land development. These fragile areas provide an important
sense of place and openness. Preservation of such areas provides
a physical buffer protecting persons and improvements from
natural and man- made safety hazards. These areas also present
opportunities for passive recreation, such as trails for bicycling
and hiking, which result in only minimal disruption to sensitive
lands.
In the General Plan, bluff demarcation is drawn based on a mean
estimation projected across all parcels impacted by coastal bluff
areas. The specific location of the bluff line, as it is applied to an
individual parcel, will be established consistent with existing
policies and criteria in effect when building plans are submitted.
GOAL 4: Encourage the preservation of the natural
environmental resources of the City of Dana Point.
Policy 4.1: Exclude areas designated as Open Space and areas
containing wetlands, beaches, and bluffs from the calculation of
net acreage available for determining development intensity or
density potential.
Policy 4.2: Consider the constraints of natural and man- made
hazards in determining the location, type and intensities of new
development. ( Coastal Act/ 30240, 30253)
Policy 4.3: Public access, which shall be conspicuously posted,
and public recreational opportunities, shall be provided to the
maximum extent feasible for all the people to the coastal zone
area and shoreline consistent with public safety needs and the
need to protect public rights, rights of private property owners,
and natural resource areas from overuse. ( Coastal Act/ 30210)
Policy 4.4: Preserve, maintain and, where feasible, enhance and
restore marine resource areas and coastal waters. Special
protection shall be given to areas and species of special
biological or economic significance. ( Coastal Act/ 30230)
Policy 4.5: Consider the environmental impacts of development
decisions. ( Coastal Act/ 30240, 30241, 30242, 30243, 30244)
LAND USE ELEMENT
17 JULY 27, 1995
( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Policy 4.6: Ensure land uses within designated and proposed
scenic corridors are compatible with scenic enhancement and
preservation. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 4.7: Coordinate with appropriate Park, Recreation and
Harbor Agencies to enhance Open Space trails and bike paths.
( Coastal Act/ 30210- 212.5)
Policy 4.8: Encourage the reasonable regulation of signs to
preserve the character of the community. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 4.9: Encourage the preservation of significant natural
areas as cohesive open space.
Policy 4.10: Regulate the construction of non- recreational uses
on coastal stretches with high predicted storm wave run- up to
minimize risk of life and property damage. ( Coastal Act/ 30253)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEADLANDS
The Headlands is one of the most significant land forms and
undeveloped properties in the City. The Headlands offers
important opportunities for future development and, at the same
time, includes sensitive coastal bluffs which represent substantial
constraints to development. The property provides spectacular
views of the Dana Point Harbor and the coastline to its north and
south. Thus the Headlands offers a distinct opportunity to
provide a continuous open space corridor along the coast with
views and public access to the ocean, coastline and harbor. The
property is large enough to accommodate a mixture of land uses
that include visitor- serving commercial, residential, recreation,
open space, and community facilities.
GOAL 5: Provide for the development of the Headlands
area in a manner that enhances the character of the City and
encourages the protection of the natural resources of the site.
Policy 5.1: Preserve the opportunity of public views from the
Headlands site to the coastal areas and the harbor areas. ( Coastal
Act/ 30251)
Policy 5.2: Require geotechnical studies to ensure geological
LAND USE ELEMENT
18 JULY 27, 1995
( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
stability in the areas where development is to be permitted and
require adequate setbacks from the blufftop areas in accordance
with those engineering studies and adopted City regulations.
( Coastal Act/ 30250, 30253)
Policy 5.3: Preserve natural open space in the Headlands area,
especially along the coastal bluffs, and provide open areas
integrated throughout the development. ( Coastal Act/ 30210-
212.5, 30250, 30253)
Policy 5.4: Assure that the height and scale of the development
in the Headlands are compatible with the development in the
community and that the visual impact of the development from
coastal areas below the project be minimized. ( Coastal
Act/ 30251)
Policy 5.5: Promote the development of a mixture of land uses
which may include residential, visitor- serving commercial,
recreational, open space, and community facilities. ( Coastal
Act/ 30213, 30250)
Policy 5.6: Require that a scenic walkway be extended
throughout the Headlands and connect to other existing or
proposed walkways. ( Coastal Act/ 30210- 212)
Policy 5.7: Provide vehicular access that does not adversely
impact adjoining neighborhoods or create congestion on Pacific
Coast Highway.
Policy 5.8: Provide patterns of land use and circulation in the
Headlands that enhance public and private pedestrian access and
circulation within the area. ( Coastal Act/ 30250)
Policy 5.9: Provide extensive public trails within the Headlands
area. The system shall include access to the existing sandy beach
areas and to the visitor- serving and public places within the
Headlands.
Policy 5.10: Encourage visitor- serving resort facilities and land
uses of a world- class stature.
Policy 5.11: Assure the Specific Plan for the Headlands
provides buffers to achieve a compatible and enhanced
relationship to existing surrounding land uses.
LAND USE ELEMENT
OCTOBER 26, 1999
19 GPA97- 03
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN CENTER
The Town Center area is one of the primary business districts in
the City, and is the focus of activity for visitors traveling along
Pacific Coast Highway ( PCH). Although the area is segmented
by the PCH couplet street system and impacted by its vehicular
traffic, the mixture of commercial retail and service, office, and
residential uses coupled with a pedestrian character and scale can
be enhanced through proper planning and the use of physical
design techniques. The Town Center also has a strong, physical
connection with the blufftop viewpoints overlooking the Harbor
at the south ends of Amber Lantern, Violet Lantern, and Golden
Lantern. Although the Town Center is very accessible to visitors
and travelers on PCH, it has a strong connection with
surrounding residential areas. In fact, the La Plaza area is a
center of neighborhood shops and services oriented toward local
needs.
GOAL 6: Achieve development in the Town Center area
that enhances the area as a primary business district in the
City.
Policy 6.1: Provide a diversity of retail office and residential
land uses that establish the Town Center as a major center of
social and economic activity in the community.
Policy 6.2: Encourage retail businesses and mixtures of land
uses that help to generate positive pedestrian activity in the area.
Policy 6.3: Establish patterns of land use and circulation that
promote the desired pedestrian character of the area.
Policy 6.4: Through effective design guidelines encourage
building designs, intensity and setbacks to be compatible with
the desired scale and character of the area. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 6.5: Develop land use and parking regulations to assure
that adequate and reasonable standards are provided.
Policy 6.6: Provide opportunities for shared parking facilities in
the Town Center, such as through the establishment of an off-street
parking district.
LAND USE ELEMENT
OCTOBER 26, 1999
20 GPA97- 03
DEVELOPMENT OF DOHENY VILLAGE
The Doheny Village represents an important gateway to the City
from the Interstate 5 Freeway. The Village needs improvements
to infrastructure and general upgrading of development within
the area. Planned land uses are expected to include a mix of new
commercial, office, multi- family residential, community
facilities, and industrial/ business development. Revitalization
efforts could include pedestrian- oriented streetscape and
landscaping improvements designed to unify and connect the
Village's various areas. These improvements may also provide a
means of establishing greater connection between the Village the
beach and San Juan Creek.
GOAL 7: Achieve the revitalization of the Doheny Village
area as a primary business district in the City.
Policy 7.1: Promote the Doheny Village area as a major
shopping and business center in the community.
Policy 7.2: Improve the appearance of the area through
revitalization activities such as landscape design and pedestrian
amenities.
Policy 7.3: Develop design guidelines that assure that
development will be consistent in terms of scale and character.
( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 7.4: Promote the development of land uses in the Doheny
Village area that provide employment opportunities for the
community including offices, marine- oriented industrial uses,
and other commercial or light industrial business activities or
community facilities.
Policy 7.5: Encourage the development of a diversity of housing
opportunities including medium density housing in the areas
adjacent to the retail areas and also as a part of mixed residential
and retail or office uses.
Policy 7.6: Provide for adequate and convenient parking areas.
Encourage the provision of shared parking facilities, such as
through the establishment of a parking district.
LAND USE ELEMENT
OCTOBER 26, 1999
21 GPA97- 03
Policy 7.7: Prepare a Specific Plan for revitalization of the
Doheny Village Area. The Specific Plan should involve
extensive public input.
DEVELOPMENT OF MONARCH BEACH
The Monarch Beach area is indicative of development based on
master planning efforts and high quality development standards.
The Ritz Carlton Resort Hotel and an additional resort hotel site
north of Pacific Coast Highway provide focal uses in a
community which includes extensive outdoor activities such as
golf ( The Links at Monarch Beach) and coastal recreation ( Salt
Creek Beach Park and Dana Strand Beach). Monarch Beach has
dramatic public view corridors within the coastal Salt Creek
Basin.
GOAL 8: Provide for the development of the Monarch
Beach area in a manner that enhances the character of the
City and encourages the protection of the natural resources
of that area.
Policy 8.1: Preserve the opportunity of public view corridors
from Monarch Beach area to the coast. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 8.2: Assure that adequate public recreational areas and
public open space are provided and maintained by the developer
as part of a new development. ( Coastal Act/ 30210, 30213,
30240, 30251)
Policy 8.3: Assure that the height and scale of new development
is compatible with the existing areas.
Policy 8.4: Promote the development of a mixture of residential,
visitor- serving, and open space land uses; with an ultimate
residential density cap of 238 dwellings, which shall not be
exceeded.
Policy 8.5: Require that the pedestrian and bike trail systems be
extended throughout Monarch Beach and connected with the
existing and proposed City wide trail system.
Policy 8.6: Maximize the provision of public trail and transit
loop systems within the Monarch Beach area. The systems shall
LAND USE ELEMENT
OCTOBER 26, 1999
22 GPA97- 03
include access to and along the shoreline and to the visitor-serving
and public places within Monarch Beach. ( Coastal
Act/ 30210)
Policy 8.7: Encourage public access, visitor- serving and
residential land uses with a strong public component which
allows the public to enjoy such visitor- serving commercial
facilities.
Policy 8.8: Salt Creek Beach Park shall be a public park
primarily oriented to passive recreational use, with limited active
recreational and educational uses which are temporary and non-commercial
in nature. ( Coastal Act/ 30210, 30214).
Policy 8.9: Avoid expansion of the golf course or any other land
use that occurs at the expense of environmentally sensitive
habitat, public park or public areas. ( Coastal Act/ 30210, 30213,
30240)
Policy 8.10: Encourage the immediate development of visitor
serving resort facilities and land uses of a world class stature to
be achieved within five years from the date of adoption of the
General Plan. The resort facility shall include a 400 or so key
five star resort hotel. If public open space and Visitor/ Recreation
Commercial land uses are not physically developed and
established within five years, it is the policy of the City of Dana
Point to revisit other land uses within this area and to assure the
provision of open space and Visitor/ Recreation Commercial
activities.
Policy 8.11: Provide for the temporary landscaping of existing
graded pads with perennial wild flowers and other vegetation to
assure aesthetic enhancement of the area, reduce soil erosion,
and reinforce the ultimate open space and landscaped resort
character of the area.
Policy 8.12: Within the Monarch Beach Resort Specific Plan,
establish a development phasing plan to achieve first, the
primary objective of the development of the public open space,
public parks, public trails, and public roads; secondly, the visitor
serving resort complex; and lastly, the residential dwellings.
Concurrent development may be permitted only if the primary
objective is being satisfied. ( Coastal Act/ 30213, 30222)
LAND USE ELEMENT
OCTOBER 26, 1999
23 GPA97- 03
Policy 8.13: The existing public trails and public recreational
facilities within the Monarch Beach Resort Specific Plan area
shall be preserved and maintained. Signs shall be posted at
conspicuous locations within the Specific Plan area, and a
manned information center established in the Monarch Beach
Resort hotel, to inform the general public of the public access
and public recreation opportunities available within the Specific
Plan area. ( Coastal Act/ 30210- 30213, 30220- 222, 30223)
Policy 8.14: Visitor- serving facilities within the Monarch
Beach Resort Specific Plan area, including but not limited to the
recreational time slots of the golf course and the parking lots of
the hotel and golf course, shall be open to the public. ( Coastal
Act/ 30210, 30212.5, 30213)
Policy 8.15: Preserve, maintain, and where feasible enhance
and restore, the riparian habitat, coastal sage scrub habitat, and
other environmentally sensitive habitat areas along Salt Creek.
DEVELOPMENT OF CAPISTRANO BY THE SEA
The site known as Capistrano by the Sea encompasses 24.7 acres
of partially developed land, located at the top of a prominent hill
overlooking San Juan Creek and the Dana Point Harbor. In
addition, distant views of the valley, the coastline to the south
and Saddleback Mountain are visible from some locations on the
site. The site is surrounded by residential uses, predominantly
single- family homes, and St. Edwards Catholic Church to the
west. There is a grove of mature trees on the site, mostly
eucalyptus, which creates a visual background for Doheny
Village and the eastern section of the City. Onsite uses include
the historic Dolph House ( considered to be the City’s first
residence) and structures that were previously used as a
psychiatric hospital and church. Due to the prominent location
and high visibility of the site, the existing mature trees and the
surrounding existing residential community, there are constraints
to development.
GOAL 9: Provide for the development of Capistrano by the
Sea site in a manner that enhances the character of the City
and encourages the preservation of views of the site from
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
24 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Doheny Village.
Policy 9.1: Promote the development of land uses that are
compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods, with
an ultimate residential density cap of 43 new dwellings plus the
Dolph House.
Policy 9.2: Provide vehicular access that does not adversely
impact adjoining neighborhoods or create congestion on
surrounding streets.
Policy 9.3: Assure that the height and scale of development on
the site are not in conflict with the surrounding residential uses
by providing for adequate development standards relating to
height limits, setbacks, and lot coverage.
Policy 9.4: Provide open space corridors through the site and
along the southern, eastern and northern perimeter of the site that
preserves a significant number of mature trees within common
landscaped areas that conforms to the mitigation monitoring
program prepared for GPA97- 03. Create an opportunity for
planting new trees to enhance the development and provide a
visual backdrop similar to the existing views from Doheny
Village.
Policy 9.5: Encourage a pedestrian circulation system that
permits public access through some of the open space corridors.
Policy 9.6: A majority of the healthy mature trees existing at
the time of this amendment, shall be preserved on the site and
incorporated into the development plans within open space areas.
Should it be necessary to remove any trees from the site, the
trees shall be replaced in conformance with the mitigation
monitoring program prepared for GPA97- 03.
PROTECTION OF RESIDENT- SERVING LAND USES
Dana Point citizens have a strong sense of community even
though Dana Point is an attraction to many visitors. This sense
of community or sharing of common goals and interests includes
the desire to protect and maintain those land uses which serve the
residents of the area. This involves the encouragement of
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
25 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
resident- serving commercial activity which meets local demands
for goods and services, as well as locations for offices and
business uses which employ City residents.
GOAL 10: Protect the resident- serving land uses throughout
the City.
Policy 10.1: Develop regulations to protect and encourage local
serving retail and office use adjacent to residentially designated
areas. Promote the overlap between visitor and resident serving
retail uses by encouraging retail goods and services which serve
both market segments in transition areas, such as those
designated “ Community Commercial”, located between primary
visitor serving areas and areas designated for residential use as
shown on the Land Use Diagram. ( Coastal Act/ 30222)
Policy 10.2: Encourage a full range of resident- serving land
uses throughout the City to meet the resident demand for goods
and services.
Policy 10.3: Encourage resident- serving uses within walking
distance of areas designated on the Land Use Diagram for
residential use, where possible, to minimize the encroachment of
resident serving uses into visitor- serving areas, to minimize the
use of primary coastal access roads for non- recreational trips,
and to minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled
by encouraging the use of public transportation. ( Coastal
Act/ 30222, 30252, 30253)
RELATED GOALS AND POLICIES
Goals and policies and the Land Use Policy Diagram identified in this
element serve as the framework for other General Plan elements. A
number of policies included in the Land Use Element constitute
coastal resources planning and management policies that are part of
the City's Local Coastal Program ( LCP). Table LU- 1 identifies the
required components or issue areas of the LCP included in the Land
Use Element.
TABLE LU- 1
LAND USE ELEMENT
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM REFERENCE MATRIX
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
26 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Required Component/ Issue Area ( Coastal Act Section)
* Shoreline Access
( 30210- 212.5)
* Agriculture ( 30241- 242)
* Visitor Serving and
Recreational Facilities
( 30213)
* Soil Resources ( 30243)
* Water- Oriented
Recreation ( 30220- 224)
* Archaeological/ Paleontological Resources ( 30244)
* Water and Marine
Resources ( 30230- 232)
* Locating and Planning New Development ( 30250, 252,
255)
* Diking, Filling and
Dredging ( 30233)
* Coastal Visual Resources ( 30251)
* Commercial Fishing and
Recreational Boating
( 30234)
* Hazard Areas ( 30253)
* Shoreline
Structures/ Flood
Control ( 30235- 236)
* Public Works ( 30254)
* Environmentally
Sensitive Habitat
( 30240)
* Industrial Development and Energy Facilities ( 30260- 264)
* Indicates that the Coastal Act issue areas described in this table are included in the Land
Use Element.
A number of goals and policies included in these other elements
support the goals and policies of the Land Use Element, either
directly or indirectly. The supporting goals and policies are
identified in the Table LU- 2.
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
27 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
TABLE LU- 2
LAND USE RELATED
GOALS AND POLICIES BY ELEMENT
Related Goals and Policies by Element
Land Use Issue
Area
Land
Use
Urban
Design
Housing Circulation Noise
Public
Safety
Conservation/
Open Space
Public
Facilities
And Growth
Management
Economic
Development
Balance of Land
Uses
3.4, 4.1,
4.4, 6.3,
6.6
5.2, 5.3, 6.5, 6.6,
6.7, 7.4
1.4, 2.7, 3.3,
4.1, 5.3, 6.2,
7.2, 7.3
Compatibility/
Enhancement
Among Land Uses
1.1, 2.1,
2.2, 6.2
3.3 3.1, 3.4, 5.2, 5.3,
6.1, 6.6, 8.1, 8.3
2.6, 9.1
Maintaining and
Improving Quality
of Life
All All All All All All All All
Preservation of
Natural Resources
1.4, 4.5,
7.2
1.7, 1.8,
1.13,
1.18
6.8 2.7
Development of
Headlands
1.5, 4.5 1.10 2.4, 2.6- 2.9, 6.2,
6.4, 6.6- 6.8
5.1
Development of
Town Center
3.8 3.4, 7.5, 8.3
Development of
Doheny Village
6.7 2.6, 2.7 1.1 3.4, 6.1- 6.4,
8.3
Development of
Monarch Beach
1.5, 2.5,
4.5, 5.6,
7.3
1.15,
1.21-
1.24,
2.8
1.1, 2.9, 3.4, 4.2,
5.4, 5.5- 5.7, 6.1,
6.3, 8.4
5.2
Development of
Capistrano by the
Sea
Protection of
Resident- Serving
Land Uses
5.3, 7.5 1.4, 4.1, 4.3,
7.3
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
28 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
THE LAND USE PLAN
The Land Use Plan and Policy Map describe the approach to be used in
implementing the Land Use Element goals and policies. The locations of
future land use are presented on the Land Use Policy Diagram which is a part
of this Element and is included in the pocket of the General Plan document
binder. In guiding future land use, the Element focuses on three basic land use
characteristics of the City:
1) Undeveloped parcels of land which will be the subject of most proposals for
new development;
2) Existing consistent land use and development which, over time, will
increasingly require maintenance and preservation; and
3) Revitalization of some land use and development where rehabilitation is
necessary or conversion to other uses is desired to achieve economic or
social goals of the General Plan.
LAND USE POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
A wide range of natural and man- made environmental factors are
considered in the formulation of land use policy. Areas of
special environmental significance, potential safety hazards,
limitations of existing infrastructure, and the nature and character
of existing development all have influence on land use policy.
Land Use Constraints and Resources
The Public Safety Element identifies areas of Dana Point subject
to such environmental constraints as flooding, landsliding, and
seismic conditions. In turn, the Conservation/ Open Space
Element identifies areas containing important ecological or
natural resources. The Circulation and Noise Elements describe
roadway/ transportation system capacities and areas of the City
impacted by noise levels. These constraints, consisting of both
natural and man- made factors, influence long- range land use
planning and are discussed in detail in the Master Environmental
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
29 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Assessment for the General Plan.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Land use designations indicate the type and nature of
development that is allowed in a given location. While terms
like " residential," " commercial" and " industrial" are generally
understood, State General Plan law requires a clear and concise
description of the land use categories shown on the Land Use
Policy Diagram.
The Land Use Element provides for land use categories or
designations listed in Table LU- 3. Five of these designations are
established for residential development, ranging from low-density
single family to high- density multiple family
development. Three commercial designations, one office, one
industrial and a community facility category are included. One
category of mixed use is established to offer some flexibility in
providing complimentary commercial, office, and residential
uses. Parkland and open space areas are combined under the
recreation/ open space designation. Major transportation facilities
are included in a single transportation corridor category.
Land Use Intensity/ Density
State General Plan law requires that the Land Use Element
indicate the maximum intensities/ densities permitted within the
City. The land use designations contained in this element and
shown on the Land Use Policy Diagram are described in this
way. Table LU- 3 lists each of the land use designations for the
City and provides a corresponding indication of maximum
intensity/ density of development on that parcel. Maximum
allowable development on individual parcels of land is to be
governed by these measures of intensity or density. The table
also includes the standard or expected overall levels of
development within each land use category on a City- wide basis.
These standard levels of development represent an anticipated
intensity/ density and are, therefore, less than the maximum
allowed. For various reasons, not every parcel in the City has in
the past nor will it in the future develop to the maximum
allowed.
TABLE LU- 3
DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY/ DENSITY STANDARDS
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
30 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
LAND USE
DESIGNATION
MAXIMUM DEVELOPMENT
INTENSITY/ DENSITY ( a)
STANDARD
INTENSITY/ DENSITY ( b)
RESIDENTIAL
Residential 0- 3.5
Residential 3.5- 7
Residential 7- 14
Residential 14- 22
Residential 22- 30
DWELLING UNITS/ ACRE
3.5 du/ net ac
7 du/ net ac
14 du/ net ac
22 du/ net ac
30 du/ net ac
DWELLING UNITS/ ACRE
3 du/ net ac
6 du/ net ac
10 du/ net ac
18 du/ net ac
26 du/ net ac
COMMERCIAL
Neighborhood Commercial
Community Commercial
Visitor/ Recreation Commercial
MIXED- USE
Commercial/ Residential ( c)
OFFICE
Professional/ Administrative
INDUSTRIAL
Industrial/ Business Park
FLOOR AREA RATIO
1.75: 1
1.75: 1
1.75: 1
1.5: 1 and 10 du/ net ac
l. 0: 1
.75: 1
FLOOR AREA RATIO
.35: 1
.4: 1
.5: 1
.5: 1 and 10 du/ net ac
.7: 1
.5: 1
COMMUNITY AND OTHER
Community Facility
Open Space
Transportation Corridor
Harbor Marine Land
Harbor Marine Water
FLOOR AREA RATIO
1.0: 1
.2: 1
.2: 1
.4: 1
2,500 Boat Slips
FLOOR AREA RATIO
.4: 1
.1: 1
.1: 1
.2: 1
2,500 Boat Slips
( a) Maximum allowable level of development for individual parcels of land.
( b) Assumed overall level of development City- wide. Since the development which has occurred
to date has not reached the maximum allowed level of density or intensity, future
development is expected to be less than the maximum on a City- wide basis. Therefore, a
" standard" level of density/ intensity is used in projecting total future development ( see text).
( c) See description of allowable mixes of residential and non- residential development under the
Mixed Use Designation section of this element.
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
31 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
FIGURE LU- 2
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
32 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Future development is expected to occur at the standard level of
intensity/ density stated in Table LU- 3. Development at an
intensity or density between the standard and maximum levels
can occur only where projects offer exceptional design quality or
important public amenities or benefits above the standards
required by the City’s discussed in detail in the Master
Environmental Assessment for the General Plan. Urban Design
Guidelines and other regulatory documents. For the residential
land use designations, projects are expected to build to a density
at least as high as the lowest density allowed by their respective
designations.
A number of terms are used to define the land use designations
or categories described in this element. The term " intensity"
refers to the degree of development based on building
characteristics such as height, bulk, floor area ratio and/ or
percent of lot coverage.
Intensity is most often used to describe non- residential
development levels, but, in a broader sense, is used to express
overall levels of all development types. The overall intensity of
development within the City of Dana Point is lower than the
more urbanized areas of Orange County, such as Anaheim, Santa
Ana, Irvine and Newport Beach.
For most non- residential development categories ( commercial,
industrial, office, community facility, and recreation facilities),
the measure of intensity known as " floor area ratio" ( FAR)
provides the most convenient method of describing development
levels. Simply stated, the floor area ratio is the relationship of
total gross floor area of all buildings on a lot to the total land area
of that lot expressed as a ratio. For example, a 21,780 square
foot building on a 43,560 square foot lot ( one acre) yields an
FAR of .50: 1 as illustrated in Figure LU- 2. The FAR describes
use intensity on a lot but not the actual building height, bulk or
coverage. As Figure LU- 2 shows, the .50: 1 FAR can yield a
building of one story in height covering one half of the lot area,
or a taller building which covers less of the lot and provides
more open space.
For purposes of this explanation, both residential density and
non- residential intensity are based on the concept of net acreage.
Net acreage is assumed to be 80 percent of gross acreage on a
City- wide basis and a net acre of land is assumed to equal 35,000
square feet for purposes of calculating density or intensity of
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
33 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
land use.
The term " density", in a land use context, is a measure of the
population or residential development capacity of the land.
Density is described in terms of dwelling units per net acre
( du/ net ac); thus, the density of a residential development of 100
dwelling units occupying 20 net acres of land is 5.0 du/ net ac. A
dwelling unit is a building or a portion of a building used for
human habitation and may vary considerably in size ( square
footage) from small apartments at 400- 500 square feet to large
single family homes exceeding 5,000 square feet. Along with
this difference in size is a corresponding difference in the
number of persons occupying a given unit ( i. e., larger units
usually house more persons that smaller units). For purposes of
calculating population, an average number of persons per
dwelling unit for all dwelling unit types and sizes is assumed as
described in the notes beneath Table LU- 4. Within land use
designations density is often described as a range ( i. e., 3.5- 7
du/ net ac).
Descriptions of each of the land use designations shown on the
Land Use Policy Diagram are provided to delineate the general
types of uses allowed and their corresponding intensities or
densities. These use descriptions, types and limitations are
further defined as specific uses within the Zoning Ordinance.
The specific uses and development standards contained within
the Zoning Ordinance and shown on the accompanying Zoning
Map are consistent with the land use designations and standards
contained in this Element or shown on the Land Use Policy
Diagram.
Residential Designations
Residential 0- 3.5: The Residential 0- 3.5 and use category
provides for the development of low density detached and
attached single family dwellings. This designation allows for the
construction of a maximum of 3.5 single family detached units
per net acre of land. Community facilities which are determined
to be compatible with, and oriented toward serving the needs of
low density detached and attached single family neighborhoods
may also be allowed.
Residential 3.5- 7: The Residential 3.5- 7 land use designation
provides for the development of low to medium density detached
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
34 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
and attached single family dwellings which may include
duplexes, condominiums, and townhomes. This designation
allows the construction of a maximum of 7 dwelling units per net
acre of land. Community facilities which are determined to be
compatible with and oriented toward serving the needs of low to
medium density detached and attached single family
neighborhoods may also be allowed.
Residential 7- 14: The Residential 7- 14 land use designation
provides for the development of medium and higher density
detached and attached single family dwellings, as well as multi-family
dwellings or apartments. This designation allows the
construction of a maximum of 14 dwelling units per net acre of
land. Community facilities which are determined to be
compatible with and oriented toward serving the needs of
medium and higher density detached and attached single family
and multi- family neighborhoods may also be allowed.
Residential 14- 22: The Residential 14- 22 land use designation
provides for the development of medium and higher density
attached single family dwellings as well as multi- family
dwellings or apartments. This designation allows the
construction of a maximum of 22 dwelling units per net acre of
land. Community facilities which are determined to be
compatible with and oriented toward serving the needs of
medium and higher density attached single family and multi-family
neighborhoods may also be allowed.
Residential 22- 30: The Residential 22- 30 land use designation
provides for the development of higher density attached single
family dwellings, multi- family dwellings and apartments. This
designation allows the construction of a maximum of 30
dwelling units per net acre of land. Community facilities which
are determined to be compatible with and oriented toward
serving the needs of higher density attached single family and
multi- family neighborhoods may also be allowed.
Commercial Designations
Neighborhood Commercial: The Neighborhood Commercial
designation includes smaller- scale business activities which
generally provide a retailing or service- oriented function to the
surrounding neighborhood. Neighborhood commercial uses
serve the needs of local residents who live near the activities.
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
35 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Typical business uses include small food and drug stores,
clothing stores, professional and business offices, restaurants and
hardware stores, child care, specialty retail, and community
facilities. Neighborhood commercial projects typically occur on
less than 10 acres of land and include 25,000 to 75,000 square
feet or less of building floor area. The standard intensity of
development is a floor area ratio of .35: 1 and the maximum
intensity of development is a floor area ratio of .5: 1.
Community Commercial: The Community Commercial
designation includes retail, professional office, and service-oriented
business activities which serve a community- wide area
and population. Community Commercial uses include some
neighborhood commercial uses, such as professional and
business offices, retail and commercial services, appliance stores,
sporting goods, child care, restaurants, and community facilities,
along with larger scale indoor uses such as department stores,
furniture and appliance outlets, theaters and entertainment uses.
Community Commercial development usually occurs on 10 to
30 acres of land and includes 100,000 to 300,000 square feet of
building area. The standard intensity of development is a floor
area ratio of .4: 1 and the maximum intensity of development is a
floor area ratio of .75: 1.
Visitor/ Recreation Commercial: The Visitor/ Recreation
Commercial designation includes primarily visitor- serving uses,
such as restaurants, resort hotels and motels uses, commercial,
recreation specialty and convenience retail goods and services,
auto service businesses, open space/ recreational uses, and
community facilities. Other supporting uses include conference
facilities and cultural uses, such as museums and theaters. The
average intensity of development for hotels is a floor area ratio of
.75: 1 and the maximum intensity of development for hotels is a
floor area ratio of 1.5: 1. The standard intensity of development
for other uses is a floor area ratio of .5: 1 and the maximum
intensity of development for other uses is a floor area ratio of
l. 0: 1.
Mixed Use Designation
Commercial/ Residential: The Commercial/ Residential
designation includes mixtures of commercial, office and
residential uses in the same building, on the same parcel, or
within the same area. The primary uses within this designation
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
36 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
are commercial; residential is only allowable when developed in
conjunction with commercial development. Allowable activities
include those identified in the Community and Neighborhood
Commercial designations, the Profes- sional/ Administrative
designation and, when developed in conjunction with
commercial uses, the Residential 7- 14, Residential 14- 22, and
Residential 22- 30 designation. When mixtures of uses occur in
the same building, retail uses or offices are usually located on the
ground floor with residential or office uses above. The mixed
uses are usually located in areas where multiple activities and
pedestrian orientation are considered to be desirable objectives.
All existing residential uses are allowable activities within this
designation; however, the residential density cannot be
increased, and any changes of use shall include commercial use
as the primary use. The standard intensity of non- residential
development is a floor area ratio of .5: 1 and the maximum
intensity of development is a floor area ratio of l. 5: 1. The
standard of 10 dwelling units per net acre of land ( equivalent to
an FAR of .25: 1) is allowed when residential development is
combined in the same building or on the same parcel as
commercial retail or office uses.
Office and Industrial Designations
Professional/ Administrative: The Professional/ Administrative
designation includes primarily single tenant or multi- tenant
offices and other supporting uses. These uses include legal and
medical services, financial institutions, corporate and
government offices, cultural and community facilities and similar
uses which together constitute concentrations of office
employment or community activity. Also included are small
convenience or service commercial activities intended to meet
the needs of the on- site employee population. The standard
intensity of development is a floor area ratio of .7: 1 and the
maximum intensity of development is a floor area ratio of 1.0: 1.
Industrial/ Business Park: The Industrial/ Business Park
designation includes parcels of land with mixtures of industrial
and commercial uses that may include marine/ auto supplies and
service, home furnishings and appliances, wholesale businesses,
light manufacturing, distribution and sales, storage, research and
development laboratories and service commercial business and
community facilities. Single room occupancy ( SRO) uses as
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
37 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
well as other affordable housing may be permitted with a
conditional use permit. The standard intensity of development is
a floor area ratio of .5: 1 and the maximum intensity of
development is a floor area ratio of .75: 1.
Community and Other Designations
Community Facilities: The Community Facilities designation
includes a wide range of public and private uses, distributed
throughout the community such as schools, churches, child care
centers, transportation facilities, government offices and
facilities, public utilities, libraries, museums, art galleries,
community theaters, hospitals and cultural and recreational
activities. The standard intensity of development is a floor area
ratio of .4: 1 and the maximum intensity of development is a floor
area ratio of 1.0: l.
Recreation/ Open Space: The Recreation/ Open Space
designation includes both public and private recreational uses
necessary to meet the active and passive recreational needs of
area residents and visitors as well as open space uses necessary
to preserve public views, scenic natural land forms such as
bluffs, and environmentally sensitive habitat areas. Recreational
activities include golf course driving ranges, community
recreational facilities, public parklands and indoor and outdoor
sports/ athletic facilities. Recreation uses include museums,
galleries, outdoor theater, and other similar uses. Open Space
uses include public view preservation, habitat restoration projects
and other similar uses. The standard intensity of development is
only an assumed average City- wide and does not apply to each
parcel of land.
Transportation Corridor: The Transportation Corridor
designation applies to the land within the corridors for the
Interstate 5 Freeway, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway,
and Circulation Element roadways. Lands within these corridors
are reserved for transportation purposes as the primary use.
Secondary uses, such as open space linkages and landscaped
areas, public and private parking areas, and other transportation-related
activities and facilities are allowed. The standard
intensity of development is a floor area ratio of . l: 1 and the
maximum intensity of development floor area ratio is .2: 1.
Harbor Marine Land: The Harbor Marine Land designation
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
38 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
includes land- based harbor uses such as marinas, marine- oriented
commercial and industrial services, marine- oriented
governmental facilities and services, visitor- serving commercial
uses, recreation/ open space uses and community facilities. The
standard intensity of development is .2: 1 and the maximum
intensity of development is .4: 1.
Harbor Marine Water: The Harbor Marine water designation
includes harbor- based water uses such as the boat slips and
causeways. The standard and maximum intensities of
development are 2,500 boat slips.
LAND USE POLICY DIAGRAM
The Land Use Policy Diagram for the City of Dana Point is
described in Figures LU- 3, LU- 4 and LU- 5. The Land Use
designations depicted on the diagrams are those described in the
previous section and are represented by patterns which identify
future planned land uses for the City.
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
39 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
DISTRIBUTION OF LAND USES
The statistical distribution of planned land uses city- wide is
described in Table LU- 4. Table LU- 5 graphically describes the
percentage distribution of planned land uses City- wide. This
table identifies each land use designation, its associated land
acreage, and the total land acreage for all planned land uses in
the City. The table also provides estimated ranges of the total
number of residential dwelling units planned and the resulting
population. For non- residential land uses, such as commercial,
office, industrial, and community facility, estimates of building
square footage are depicted.
Net acreage represents the average remaining after street rights-of-
way and other public lands are excluded. To establish the net
acreage associated with densities for residential designations and
intensities for non- residential designations, 20 percent of the
gross acreage is assumed to be used for streets or other public
lands. Therefore, the net acreage equals 80 percent of gross
acreage, and represents acreage capable of accommodating
residential dwelling units and non- residential building square
footage. For each gross acre of land( 43,560 square feet), a net
acre of 35,000 square feet is assumed to accommodate
development.
LAND USE ELEMENT
40 JULY 9, 1991
LU- 3, Land Use Policy Map Key Sheet
LAND USE ELEMENT
41 JULY 9, 1991
LU- 4 Land Use Policy Map
LAND USE ELEMENT
42 JULY 9, 1991
LU- 5 Land Use Policy Map
LAND USE ELEMENT
MARCH 8, 1994
43 ( GPA93- 05/ LCPA94- 01)
Table LU- 4
Future Land Use and Population Estimates in the City
Land Use Designation Gross
Acres
( a)
Dwelling
Units
( b)
Population
( c)
Square
Footage
( 000)( d)
Residential
Residential 0 - 3.5
Residential 3.5 - 7
Residential 7 - 14
Residential 14 - 22
Residential 22 - 30
65
1,694
513
203
13
156
8,129
3,956
2,920
271
Commercial
Neighborhood Com'l
Community Com'l
Visitor/ Rec. Com'l
Com'l/ Residential
7
109
142
63 487
85
1,519
2,474
1,098
Office
Prof./ Administrative 6 146
Industrial
Ind./ Business Park 18 314
Community and Other
Comm. Facility
Open Space
Harbor Marine Land
Transport. Corridor
163
770
38
345
2,272
2,683
265
Total 4,149 15,684-
16,495
32,623-
39,258
10,856
( a) For purposes of establishing density/ intensity by land use category, the gross acreage for residential
and non- residential land uses is converted to net acreage by 20% to account for the land area devoted
to roadways.
( b) Estimated dwelling units are expressed as a range. Dwelling units for residential categories are based
on the standard density described in Table LU- 3, ( dwelling unit per net acre) for each category of
residential use and the cumulative total for this column is 15,919. The bottom end of the range is
based on estimated development of 252 ( or 5 du/ ac) dwelling units in the Residential/ Commercial
category. The top end of the range is based on minor upward adjustments to the standard densities for
Residential 3.5- 7 and Residential 7- 14.
( c) Population is based on Orange County Analysis Center OCP- 88 2010 projections of 2.08 persons per
dwelling unit for the bottom of the range and 2.38 persons per dwelling unit for the top of the range.
( d) Square footage for non- residential categories is based on the standard intensity ( FAR) for uses
represented.
LAND USE ELEMENT
MARCH 8, 1994
44 ( GPA93- 05/ LCPA94- 01)
Table LU- 5
Planned Land Use Distribution by Percentage
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
45 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
SPECIFIC PLAN AREAS
The estimated numbers of residential dwelling units and
population are expressed as ranges to coincide with the
structure of the residential land use designations which are also
Residential 7- 14, and so forth). The population range
expressed in Table LU- 4 is based on the recognition that
population per dwelling unit varies depending on unit type and
size, as well as the social or cultural mixture within the City.
Five areas within the City are identified as Specific Plan areas
for future development, or revitalization. These areas include
the Headlands, the Town Center, Doheny Village, Monarch
Beach and the Dana Point Harbor. The characteristics of
planned land use for each focal area are described in the
following sections.
Headlands
The Dana Point Headlands represents a significant land
resource that has the capacity to accommodate a mixture of
compatible land uses, including visitor/ recreation commercial,
residential, recreation/ open space, and community facilities.
The Headlands area is identified as a Specific Plan area on the
Land Use Policy Map. The Specific Plan for the Headlands
will be prepared before development occurs and that plan will
implement General Plan policy by establishing development
standards, precise locations for land uses and facilities,
locations for streets, standards for residential density and non-residential
intensity, and standards for the use and conservation
of natural resources.
Identification of the percentage mixture of planned land use is
designed to provide both the City and property owner with the
flexibility needed to allow consideration of alternative
development designs. Any alternative designs must generally
meet the basic land use percentage descriptions contained in
this element and noted on the Land Use Policy Map. Any
development design for the Headlands must include open space
linkages connecting on- and off- site open space areas, and any
land area designated specifically as Community Facility will
result in a corresponding reduction of land area designated as
either Visitor/ Recreation Commercial or Residential 3.5- 14, or
both. The Land Use Element can be amended when a Specific
Plan is prepared for the property.
LAND USE ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
46 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
The Headlands also includes two small areas of existing
residential development. The westerly area consists of multi-family
units in buildings on adjacent, but separate lots.
Although the actual density of development for this westerly
area varies from lot to lot, the overall designation is Residential
22- 30. The southerly residential area consists of single family
detached houses on separate lots with a designation of
Residential 7- 14. The level of development for each of these
areas is based on their respective Land Use Element
designations, but where the existing level of development
exceeds the designation, the existing level of development can
be maintained or reconstructed in the event of loss due to
natural hazards or accident.
LAND USE ELEMENT
47 JULY 9, 1991
Figure LU- 6
Headlands
LAND USE ELEMENT
48 JULY 9, 1991
Table LU- 6 describes the general percentages of the land use
types for the Headlands property as 45.3 for percent Open Space,
26.8 percent for Residential 3.5- 7, 17.3 percent for Residential 7-
14, and 10.6 percent for Visitor/ Recreation Commercial.
Table LU- 6
Headlands - Land Use Composition
LAND USE
DESIGNATION
GROSS
ACRES
( a),( b)
Residential
Residential 3.5- 7
Residential 7- 14
Commercial
Visitor/ Recreation
Community and Other
Open Space
32.5
21.0
12.8
55.0
TOTAL 121.3
( a) For purposes of establishing intensity by land use category, the gross acreage for non- residential land uses is
converted to net acreage through a reduction of the gross acreage by 20% to account for land area devoted to roadways.
( b) The Dana Point Headlands Specific Plan Area is calculated at net acreage, which may change given the true
amount of net acreage. The Residential 3.5- 7 and Residential 7- 14 areas may be adjusted upward, but will still fall within
the top end of the range indicated.
Pie Chart Goes Here
LAND USE ELEMENT
49 JULY 9, 1991
Town Center
The Dana Point Town Center is a primary business district
within the City which serves both visitors and residents.
Revitalization and economic development of the Town Center
are intended to create a compact pedestrian- oriented, " small
town" atmosphere within Dana Point's central business district.
The Urban Design Element of the General Plan describes
design concepts useful in creating this desired atmosphere.
The Land Use Policy Diagram for the Town Center is depicted
in Figure LU- 7 below and includes Community Commercial,
Visitor/ Recreation Commercial, Commercial/ Residential, and
Neighborhood Commercial designations.
Figure LU- 7
Town Center
LAND USE ELEMENT
50 JULY 9, 1991
The Town Center is heavily impacted by vehicular traffic
traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway/ Del Prado couplet
roadway system. The Circulation Element includes discussion of
the dual goals of desired pedestrian orientation for the Town
Center and acceptable levels of service for vehicular traffic on
Pacific Coast Highway.
Table LU- 7 below lists the acreages and percentages of land
planned for each of the commercial land use designations
mentioned above. The percentage distribution of those land uses
is described below in Table LU- 7.
Table LU- 7
Town Center - Land Use Composition
LAND USE DESIGNATION GROSS
ACRES
( a)
Commercial
Neighborhood Commercial
Community Commercial
Visitor/ Recreation/ Comm'l
Commercial/ Residential
Community and Other
Open Space
Transport. Corridor
5.3
33.3
1.8
8.7
1.4
18.5
TOTAL 69.0
( a) For purposes of establishing density/ intensity by land use category, the gross acreage for residential and non-residential
land uses is converted to net acreage through a reduction of the gross acreage by 20% to account for land area
devoted to roadways.
Pie Chart Goes Here
LAND USE ELEMENT
51 JULY 9, 1991
Doheny Village
The Doheny Village is a significant entrance or " gateway" to
the City which requires physical and economic revitalization to
realize its potential as one of the City's two primary business
districts. The good visibility and access of Doheny Village to
the Interstate 5 Freeway are assets which support the
investment of public and private funds to install infrastructure
improvements and generally upgrade development in the area.
Planned land use for Doheny Village includes Community
Commercial, Visitor/ Recreation Commercial, Commercial/
Residential, Industrial/ Business Park, Residential 22- 30,
Community Facility, and Open Space. Figure LU- 8 identifies
the locations of these land uses, while the Urban Design
Element provides an urban design plan which will unify the
diverse land uses of the Village.
LAND USE ELEMENT
52 JULY 9, 1991
Figure LU- 8
Doheny Village
LAND USE ELEMENT
53 JULY 9, 1991
Of the five Specific Plan areas, Doheny Village offers the greatest variety of
land uses. This variety suggests a self- contained or independent nature for the
Village. That self- contained character is strengthened by the balance of
residential, non- residential and community land uses. This variety and
balance offers potential for creative private and public revitalization efforts,
including the creation of open space linkages to and along the east banks of
San Juan Creek. The mixture of land uses is listed in Table LU- 8 below.
Table LU- 8
Doheny Village - Land Use Composition
LAND USE
DESIGNATION
GROSS
ACRES
( a)
Residential
Residential 22- 30
Commercial
Community Commercial
Visitor/ Recreation/
Commercial
Commercial/ Residential
Industrial
Industrial/ Business Park
Community and Other
Community Facility
Open Space
Transport. Corridor
1.9
29.1
2.1
29.7
19.7
8.3
24.1
34.6
TOTAL 149.5
( a) For purposes of establishing density/ intensity by land use category, the gross acreage for residential and non-residential
land uses is converted to net acreage through a reduction of the gross acreage by 20% to account for land area
devoted to roadways.
Pie Chart Goes Here
LAND USE ELEMENT
54 JULY 9, 1991
Monarch Beach
The Monarch Beach Specific Plan area is defined
geographically by the Salt Creek Basin, a major drainage
course lying between Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road.
Relatively recent master planning and recent high quality
construction established Monarch Beach as a planned
recreation- oriented resort and residential area. Monarch Beach
includes land planned for a mixture of Visitor/ Recreation
Commercial, Community Commercial, Open Space and
Residential development. The locations of these uses within
the focus area are depicted in Figure LU- 9.
LAND USE ELEMENT
55 JULY 9, 1991
Figure LU- 9
Monarch Beach
LAND USE ELEMENT
MARCH 8, 1994
56 ( GPA93- 05/ LCPA94- 01)
The Monarch Beach Specific Plan area includes opportunities
that are similar to the Headlands property in terms of the
potential to support a major world- class resort development. The
existence of the golf course ( The Links at Monarch Beach) and
suitable sites for resort development on its east and west sides,
with views and access to the coastline represent important
additions to resort activity presently provided by the Ritz Carlton
Resort. Within the Monarch Beach focus area, these sites for
resort development are designated as a Specific Plan area on the
Land Use Policy Diagram. The mix of land uses within this
subarea is listed below in Table LU- 9.
Table LU- 9
Monarch Beach - Land Use Composition
LAND USE DESIGNATION GROSS
ACRES
( a)
Residential
Residential 0- 3.5
Residential 3.5- 7
Residential 7- 14
Residential 14- 22
Commercial
Community Commercial
Visitor/ Recreation/ Comm'l
Office
Professional/ Administration
Community and Other
Community Facility
Open Space
Transport. Corridor
17.9
112.9
53.8
76.5
21.9
38.9
1.3
18.2
203.5
21.0
TOTAL 565.9
( a) For purposes of establishing density/ intensity by land use category, the gross acreage for residential and non-residential
land uses is converted to net acreage through a reduction of the gross acreage by 20% to account for land area
devoted to roadways.
Pie Chart Goes Here
LAND USE ELEMENT
57 JULY 9, 1991
The Harbor
The City wishes to actively participate in the planning for the
future of the Dana Point Harbor. Even though the County of
Orange leases the Harbor from the State of California, the
County controls Harbor design and development. The Harbor
provides a unique blend of the natural and man- made
waterfront setting which includes Visitor/ Recreation
Commercial, Community Facility, Open Space, and Harbor
Marine Land and Water uses. These are depicted in Figure
LU- 10 below.
Figure LU- 10
The Harbor
LAND USE ELEMENT
58 JULY 9, 1991
The positive integration of Dana Point Harbor with adjacent
areas is described in the Urban Design Element. These
integration efforts should be conducted in concert with County of
Orange harbor development efforts. The general acreages and
percentages of planned land uses for the Harbor area are listed in
Table LU- 10 below.
Table LU- 10
Harbor - Land Use Composition
LAND USE
DESIGNATION
GROSS
ACRES
( a)
Commercial
Visitor/ Recreation
Community and Other
Community Facility
Open Space
Transportation Corridor
Harbor Marine Land
Harbor Marine Water
26.3
7.1
16.6
17.6
38.1
174.9
TOTAL 280.6
( a) For purposes of establishing intensity by land use category, the gross acreage for non- residential land uses
is converted to net acreage through a reduction of the gross acreage by 20% to account for land area
devoted to roadways.
Pie Chart Goes Here
LAND USE ELEMENT
59 JULY 9, 1991
The Harbor shares a symbiotic economic and social
relationship with the Town Center and the Headlands, which
suggests that the physical linkages between these areas should
be strengthened. These physical linkages include pedestrian
and vehicular access between the areas, visual connections
from overlooks of the Harbor, and strong entry points which
distinguish the edges of the three related areas.
Insert Linkage Graphic
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
i JUNE 27, 1995
GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
Introduction to the Urban Design Element 1
Purpose of the Urban Design Element 1
Scope and Content of Element 1
Element Organization 1
Design Guidelines 2
Urban Design Element Goals and Policies 3
Citywide Visual Linkages 3
The Communities of the City 4
The Dana Point Town Center 5
Public Spaces 6
Design Quality 7
Doheny Village 8
Marine Resources 10
Related Goals and Policies 10
The Urban Design Plan 13
Citywide Urban Design Concepts 13
The Natural Setting 13
Visual Linkages and Identity 19
Landscape Corridors 21
Landscape Focus Areas 24
Neighborhood Street Tree Planting 25
Walking and Biking Linkages 26
City Identity Graphics 29
Entry Monuments 29
Pedestrian Lighting 30
Public View Preservation 31
Design Guidelines for Private Development 32
Architectural and Landscape Character 33
Historic Preservation 35
Community Urban Design Concepts 36
Capistrano Beach 38
Dana Point 46
Monarch Beach 60
Appendix A. Dana Point Landscape Corridors A- 1
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
ii JULY 9, 1991
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table UD- 1 Local Coastal Program Reference Matrix 11
Table UD- 2 Urban Design Related Goals and Policies
By Element 12
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure UD- 1 Landscape Corridor 23
Figure UD- 2 Existing and Proposed Open Space Walkway/
Bike/ Trail Opportunities 28
Figure UD- 3 Doheny Village Urban Design Framework 41
Figure UD- 4 Dana Point Town Center 50
Figure UD- 5 View of Dana Point Town Center with Build- out
Of Potential Development Opportunities 51
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
1 JULY 9, 1991
INTRODUCTION TO THE URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
Urban Design is a process that builds on the foundation of the land use
element. Urban Design focuses more precisely on the form and character of the
natural and built environment; what we experience and how we feel about it.
At its best, the process of Urban Design should persuade the City, private
enterprise and the public to work together to create a community whose quality
and living potential take full advantage of Dana Point's spectacular coastal
setting, landscape, climate and cultural assets.
PURPOSE OF THE URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
The Urban Design Element provides proposals and policies to
improve the image, character and quality of life of the City.
Although this element is not mandatory, urban design is
important to the City because it relates directly to the physical
form and character of development resulting from implementa-tions
of the Land Use, Circulation and Conservation/ Open Space
Elements.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE ELEMENT
The Urban Design Element provides policies and design
concepts for the preservation of the natural setting, public
improvements, form and character of new private development,
and focused plans for areas of the City in need of special design
attention.
ELEMENT ORGANIZATION
The Element first presents Dana Point's important Urban Design
issues, followed by broad Goals and definitive City Policies
related to each issue. These are cross- referenced with relevant
goals and policies of other General Plan Elements in Table UD-
2.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
2 JULY 9, 1991
The Urban Design Plan provides concepts to illustrate how the
goals and policies may be implemented. The Plan is divided into
two sections, the first containing citywide Urban Design
concepts. This is followed by design concepts for three specific
areas of the City. Appendix A of the Urban Design Element
provides standards for landscape corridors in Dana Point.
Appendix B provides the selected tree species for the landscape
corridors. Both Urban Design Element appendices are included
in the General Plan Appendix.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
In addition to the Urban Design Element, Design Guidelines for
the City contain specific design standards for public and private
projects subject to discretionary design review. The Design
Guidelines are adopted as a separate document from the General
Plan. The Design Guidelines are to be used by property owners,
developers, architects, landscape architects and designers in the
planning of new projects and major renovations in the City. The
Guidelines communicate the qualities and characteristics
expected of development in the City. They are intended to
promote higher quality design that is sensitive to Dana Point's
natural setting, surrounding environment and community design
goals. The Guidelines are used by City Council, Commissions,
and City Staff as adopted criteria for the review of development
proposals subject to discretionary design review.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
3 JULY 9, 1991
URBAN DESIGN GOALS AND POLICIES
The goals and supporting policies relating to Urban Design establish the overall
framework for the concepts discussed in the Urban Design Plan. These goals
and policies address specific issues and opportunities that will enable the
community to develop in accordance with highest design quality possible.
CITYWIDE VISUAL LINKAGES
Dana Point's public beaches, parks, coastal lookouts and scenic
attractions form one of the most spectacular collections of public
open space in Southern California. Most of the City's residential
neighborhoods are of similar quality and character.
Dana Point's overall image needs to be brought up to the quality
of its best parts. Clearer positive visual and circulation linkages
between the City's resources are needed, especially along
primary streets. This can be accomplished by focused landscape,
graphic, lighting and public art improvements in high- visibility
places.
GOAL 1: Create Citywide visual linkages and symbols to
strengthen Dana Point's identity as a city.
Policy 1.1: Develop citywide linkages through landscaping and
lighting along major street corridors. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 1.2: Improve the visual character of major street
corridors.
Policy 1.3: Make focused improvements at major City entrance
points such as landscaped open space and signage.
Policy 1.4: Preserve public views from streets and public places.
( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 1.5: Develop the Blufftop Trail from Monarch Beach to
Doheny State Park. Final designation of the trail alignment
through the Headlands shall be determined through the Specific
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
4 JUNE 27, 1995
GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08
Plan for the Headlands. ( Coastal Act/ 30210, 30212)
Policy 1.6: Develop a citywide public signage system with
identity and directional graphics to mark public places, recre-ational
opportunities and principal attractions.
Policy 1.7: Initiate a program for public art.
THE COMMUNITIES OF THE CITY
The City's residential neighborhoods are, with few exceptions,
stable and well- maintained. They offer a variety of dwelling
types from modest, older single family dwellings and apartments
to newer luxury custom homes and condominiums. Since the
City developed as an incremental series of land subdivisions
built over the years without an overall comprehensive plan, most
residential neighborhoods are self- contained, with access to a
major arterial street but without linkages to adjacent neighbor-hoods.
This pattern reduces through traffic and provides quiet
residential streets, but also lessens the sense of community felt
Citywide.
In older neighborhoods of Capistrano Beach and `` The Lanterns''
residential area, the proper size, bulk and height of new infill
development is an issue. Escalating land values have encouraged
oversized houses and additions. The demolition of older, modest
houses, and their replacement with large scale homes has, in
some areas, created a discontinuous urban design. This is an
issue in most older southern California residential areas,
especially along the coastline.
GOAL 2: Preserve the individual positive character and
identity of the City's communities.
Policy 2.1: Consider the distinct architectural and landscape
character of each community. To the maximum extent feasible,
protect special communities and neighborhoods which, because
of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination
points for recreational uses. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 2.2: Adopt development standards and design guidelines
for commercial areas that reflect the individual character
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
1 JUNE 27, 1995
GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08
of each community.
Policy 2.3: Improve public places and recreational facilities as
focus points for each community. ( Coastal Act/ 30213)
Policy 2.4: Establish a program to preserve buildings and sites
of historical and architectural significance.
Policy 2.5: Encourage neighborhood street landscaping pro-grams
to improve the quality of public spaces in residential areas.
THE DANA POINT TOWN CENTER
At the present time, the Town Center does not have an environ-ment
or image that draws residents or visitors, nor does the Town
Center work well as a `` shopping district'' where businesses
benefit each other from an overall collective strength. Instead,
the Town Center functions and feels like a roadside or " strip
commercial" environment with many small separate commercial
buildings and shopping centers that are poorly linked. The
Pacific Coast Highway - Del Prado couplet, accompanied by
high traffic speeds, has contributed to this problem. The small
parcel sizes, lack of consistent site design patterns, diversity of
building types and setbacks, and barren quality of the
streetscapes are intensify the problems. There are some
examples, however, that provide potential ideas for the future.
The Plaza works well as a focus and pleasant pedestrian space -
more environments like this can be created in the Town Center.
San Juan Avenue presents a significant opportunity to create this
additional pedestrian focus.
The future of the traffic system will be fundamental to develop-ing
site planning and building design guidelines that integrate the
area. A major investment in public amenities ( street trees, wider
sidewalks, parking and side street improvements) will be
necessary to transform the area's image and create stronger
linkages between the blocks.
GOAL 3: Improve the Town Center as one of the City's
primary shopping districts with a small town `` village'' at-mosphere.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
AUGUST 26, 1997
6 GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
Policy 3.1: Increase the Town Center's economic vitality and its
contribution to the City's economic development goals.
Policy 3.2: Reduce the disruptive and negative impact of traffic
movements and high traffic speeds in the Town Center.
Policy 3.3: Improve pedestrian opportunities and create an
attractive pedestrian environment within the Town Center.
( Coastal Act/ 30250)
Policy 3.4: Encourage mixed- use development in selected areas
of the Town Center.
Policy 3.5: Develop a parking concept that emphasizes shared
parking facilities.
Policy 3.6: Create safety buffers of street trees, planters and
street furniture between pedestrian walks and the street along
both Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado. Provide widened
sidewalks with a special Town Center streetscape design.
Policy 3.7: Develop pedestrian courtyards and other outdoor
spaces with planting and street furniture.
Policy 3.8: Encourage pedestrian- oriented building frontages
with shops opening to the public sidewalk, and encourage a
minimum amount of retail uses on the first floor.
PUBLIC SPACES
A wide variety of recreational and scenic opportunities are
available to the public along the City's 6- 1/ 2- mile coastline.
Except for a few key locations, public access to the water's edge
is excellent. Public places on the coast include Doheny State
Beach, Capistrano Beach Park, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Strand
Beach and Salt Creek Beach Park.
A unique sequence of parks and lookouts on the coastal terrace
above the water offer spectacular views of the ocean and Dana
Point Headlands. Pines Park, Gazebo Park, Leyton Park,
Lantern Bay Park, Heritage Park, Blue Lantern Overlook and
Salt Creek Beach Park are an extraordinary collection of public
viewing and recreational settings. The “ Blufftop Trail” from
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
AUGUST 26, 1997
7 GPA97- 02/ LCPA97- 02
the Headlands to Doheny State Beach is an excellent concept
which appears to be successfully taking shape. Future
development of remaining coastal sites, especially the
Headlands, raises many issues of public access and presents
opportunities for additional public open space.
GOAL 4: Maintain and enhance the City's public spaces
and resources.
Policy 4.1: Create a new Civic Center as a focus point of the
City.
Policy 4.2: Realize the opportunity for public open space
throughout the City.
Policy 4.3: Develop stronger pedestrian, bicycle and visual
linkages between public spaces and to and along the shoreline
and bluffs. ( Coastal Act/ 30210, 30212)
Policy 4.4: Encourage development of community cultural and
recreational facilities. ( Coastal Act/ 30213)
Policy 4.5: Protect and enhance existing public views to the
ocean through open space designations and innovative design
techniques. ( Coastal Act/ 30251)
Policy 4.6: Preserve and maintain existing public accessways,
and existing areas open to the public, located within visitor-serving
developments in the coastal zone. ( Coastal Act/ 30210,
30212)
Policy 4.7: Prohibit the conversion to exclusively private use
of existing visitor- serving developments open to the public
within the coastal zone. ( Coastal Act/ 30210, 30213)
DESIGN QUALITY
Dana Point's commercial districts need stronger design coordina-tion,
improved circulation linkages, enhanced outdoor pedestrian
spaces and higher- quality architecture that creates more attractive
settings for shopping, entertainment and public gathering.
GOAL 5: Achieve design excellence in site planning,
architecture, landscape architecture and signage in new
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
8 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
development and modifications to existing development.
Policy 5.1: Adopt comprehensive Design Guidelines for the
review of all new non- residential and multi- family development
in the City.
Policy 5.2: Encourage site and building design that takes
advantage of the City's excellent climate to maximize indoor-outdoor
spatial relationships. ( Coastal Act/ 30250)
Policy 5.3: Encourage buildings and exterior spaces that are
carefully- scaled to human size and pedestrian activity.
Policy 5.4: Encourage outdoor pedestrian spaces, sidewalks and
usable open space in all new development.
Policy 5.5: Promote extensive landscaping in all new projects
while emphasizing the use of drought- tolerant plant materials.
Policy 5.6: Encourage aesthetic roof treatment as an important
architectural design feature.
Policy 5.7: Consolidate adjacent parking lots, without
reducing the number of parking stalls, in order to decrease the
number of ingress and egress points onto arterials. ( Coastal
Act/ 30210, 30252)
DOHENY VILLAGE
Doheny Village has an excellent strategic location at the
Interstate 5 entrance to Dana Point. Opportunities for commer-cial,
office and light industrial businesses can help the City work
toward its economic development goals. The self- contained
mixed- use nature of the village, combining multi- family housing
with small businesses, is also a unique quality that can attract
future investment and improvements.
GOAL 6: Develop Doheny Village as a unified and improved
neighborhood of retail shopping, light industrial, offices and
multi- family components.
Policy 6.1: Improve Pacific Coast Highway and Doheny Park
Road as aesthetic entrance boulevards to the City.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
9 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
Policy 6.2: Unify new commercial development through design
concepts for consistent building setbacks, landscaping architec-ture
and signage.
Policy 6.3: Increase Doheny Village's economic vitality and its
contribution to the City's economic development goals.
Policy 6.4: Reduce the disruptive and negative impact of traffic
movements and high traffic speeds in the Doheny Village area.
Policy 6.5: Improve pedestrian opportunities and create an
attractive pedestrian environment within Doheny Village.
( Coastal Act/ 30250)
Policy 6.6: Encourage mixed- use development in selected areas
of Doheny Village.
Policy 6.7: Develop a parking concept that emphasizes shared
parking facilities.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
10 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
MARINE RESOURCES
GOAL 7: Enhance the City's relationship to marine
resources.
Policy 7.1: Develop design concepts to address marine and light
industrial activities. ( Coastal Act/ 30260)
Policy 7.2: Develop urban design guidelines for open space
areas to ensure the protection and display of natural resources.
Policy 7.3: Encourage design concepts to incorporate the City's
coastal influence into site and building design.
RELATED GOALS AND POLICIES
A number of policies included in the Urban Design Element
represent coastal resources planning and management policies
that are part of the City's Local Coastal Program ( LCP). Table
UD- 1 identifies required components or issue areas of the LCP
included in the Urban Design Element.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
JUNE 27, 1995
11 ( GPA95- 02( c)/ LCPA95- 08)
TABLE UD- 1
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM REFERENCE MATRIX
Required Component/ Issue Area ( Coastal Act Section)
* Shoreline Access ( 30210- 212.5) Agriculture ( 30241- 242)
* Visitor Serving and Recreational Facilities
( 30213)
Soil Resources ( 30243)
Water- Oriented Recreation ( 30220- 224) Archaeological/ Paleontological Resources ( 30244)
Water and Marine Resources ( 30230- 232) * Locating and Planning New Development ( 30250, 252,
255)
Diking, Filling and Dredging ( 30233) * Coastal Visual Resources ( 30251)
Commercial Fishing and Recreational
Boating ( 30234)
Hazard Areas ( 30253)
Shoreline Structures/ Flood Control ( 30235-
236)
Public Works ( 30254)
Environmentally Sensitive Habitat ( 30240) * Industrial Development and Energy Facilities ( 30260- 264)
* Indicates that the Coastal Act issue areas described in this table are included in the Urban
Design Element.
A number of goals and policies included in the elements support the goals and
policies of the Urban Design Element. The supporting goals and policies are
identified in Table UD- 2.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
12 JULY 9, 1991
TABLE UD- 2
URBAN DESIGN RELATED
GOALS AND POLICIES BY ELEMENT
Related Goals and Policies by Element
Urban Design
Issue Area Land Use
Urban
Design
Housing Circulation Noise
Public
Safety
Conservation/
Open Space
Public
Facilities
and Growth
Management
Economic
Development
Citywide
Visual Linkage
4.6, 5.4,
6.4, 7.2,
7.3
1.6, 1.7,
1.9, 1.10
8.3 5.10 7.3, 7.4
Communities
Of the City
2.1, 4.1
5.4- 5.7, 5.9-
5.12
7.1- 7.4
Town Center
1.12- 1.16,
4.7, 5.1- 5.3,
6.4
2.1, 2.2,
2.4, 2.5
5.9, 5.11 7.1, 7.4
Public Spaces
5.4- 5.7, 5.9-
5.12, 7.1, 7.4,
8.3
Design
Quality
Doheny
Village
1.5, 1.6,
1.11- 1.16,
4.7, 5.1- 5.3,
6.4
2.1, 2.2,
2.4, 2.5
6.1, 6.2
Marine
Resources
1.16,
1.19
URBA