Current Projects and Recent Decisions

Updated as of July 2, 2020

Most decisions are effective 15 days after the date of the City’s Notice of Decision unless an appeal is filed.

Administrative approvals by the Director of Community Development may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission decisions may be appealed to the City Council. Any appeal must set forth in writing the specific grounds for the appeal and be directed to the City Clerk. Refer to the Municipal Code for more information regarding the appeals process, or contact the City Clerk at (949) 461-3420.

For information on a specific project, please contact the planner assigned to that project.

Planner Title Phone Email
Gayle Ackerman, AICP
 Director of Community Development (949) 461-3463 Email Gayle Ackerman
Amy Stonich Planning Manager (Contract) (949) 461-3479 Email Amy Stonich 
Ron Santos
 Senior Planner (949) 461-3449 Email Ron Santos
Marie Luna Senior Planner (949) 461-3466 Email Marie Luna
Jennifer Mansur, AICP
 Associate Planner (949) 461-3472 Email Jennifer Mansur
Amanda Lauffer
 Associate Planner (949) 461-3491 Email Amanda Lauffer
Jonah Pellecchia Planning Intern (949) 461-3496 Email Jonah Pellecchia

Current Projects

View a list of projects (PDF) that the Planning Division is currently processing. 

Mountain View Affordable Housing Community

Public Comment Period: June 12, 2020 to July 13 ,2020

Initial Study - Mitigated Negative Declaration & Appendices (PDF)

Relocation Plan

This project is a request to demolish the existing office building located at 24551 Raymond Way and construct a 71-unit affordable housing apartment complex on the proposed 1.965 acre site. The proposed Project requires approval of a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Tentative Parcel Map, Site Development Permit, Affordable Housing Agreement, and Planned Sign Program. The Project proposes to provide affordable units to households earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income, of which 12 of the units will be set aside for Permanent Supporting Housing. A more detailed project description is included in the Initial Study.

To submit your comments, and for questions regarding the Mitigated Negative Declaration, contact:

NAME: Jennifer Mansur                                                                                         

TITLE: Associate Planner                                

ADDRESS: 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630

PHONE: 949.461.3472

EMAIL: jmansur@lakeforestca.gov   

In accordance with the CEQA guidelines, any comments concerning the findings of the proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration must be submitted in writing and received by the City no later than 5:00 PM on July 13, 2020, in order to be considered prior to the City’s final determination on the project. Should you decide to challenge this project, you may be limited to the issues raised during this public review period.



Recent Decisions

The following table is a list of recent decisions and corresponding appeal periods, when applicable.

Project Number Planner Admin/
Planning Commission
 Description Address Applicant Status
CP 06-20-5361 AL Admin Exterior modifications and conversion of an existing auto repair service building to a convenience store. 22391 El Toro Road Ben Steckler, Fielder Group Approved on October 15, 2020. Appeal period to end on October 30, 2020.
CP 08-20-5372 AL Admin Removal and replacement of three antennas, removal and replacement of three RRU's and modifications to existing equipment for an existing wireless facility. 26390 Forest Ridge Drive Justin Causey, Md7 LLC Approved on October 13, 2020. Appeal period to end on October 28, 2020.
SDP 09-20-5377 JP Admin New walk-up automated teller machine (ATM) and enclosure for Wells Fargo Bank. 23646 Rockfield Boulevard Andrea Rios, CIM Group, Inc. Approved on October 8, 2020. Appeal period to end on October 23, 2020.
CP 09-20-5374 RS Admin Changed Plan to permit a 100 sq.-ft., three-sided, outdoor enclosure for storage of hydrogen cylinders. The enclosure consists of a 6'-0"-tall steel fence with swinging gates. A metal canopy will be installed above the enclosure and two parking spaces will be displaced. 20161 Windrow Drive Daisy Barriga, TD Architects, Inc. Approved on September 24, 2020. Appeal period to end on October 9, 2020.
CP 02-20-5337 AL Admin Exterior remodel of the Foothill Maintenance Corporation Community Clubhouse building and pool deck. 27021 Burbank Avenue Dante Russell, Ideate Design-Build Approved on September 17, 2020. Appeal period to end on October 2, 2020.
CP 09-20-5373 JP Admin Removal and installation of six antennas, nine RRUs and modifications of associated equipment for an existing wireless communication facility. 27855 Glenn Ranch Road Melissa Keith, Eukon Group Approved September 16, 2020. Appeal period to end on October 1, 2020.
CP 06-20-5366 JM Admin Modifications to the approved plans for SDP 06-16-4923 for a facade remodel and patio additions. 24406 Muirlands Boulevard Bruce James (B. James Ltd.) Approved on September 14, 2020. Appeal period to end on September 29, 2020.
CP 08-20-5370 JP Admin Removal and installation of three antennas, installation of three RRU, removal of a cabinet, modifications to associated equipment, and installation of two cabinets for an existing wireless communication facility. 20732 1/2 El Toro Road Mike Peluso, Crown Castle Approved on September 2, 2020. Appeal period to end on September 17, 2020.
CP 03-20-5345 JM Admin Modifications to a portion of phase II of the approved master plan (UP 2000-13) for the Ascension Cemetery. 24754 Trabuco Road Brian Hixson, ProActive Engineering Approved on August 10, 2020. Appeal period to end on August 25, 2020.
UP 06-20-5360 RS PC Establish a 3,200 sq. ft. member only group fitness training facility (Train-X Wellness), which will provide fitness instruction, preventative care, and chiropractic care. 21088 Bake Parkway, Unit 108 Andrew Goldstein, Train-X Wellness Centers, LLS Approved on August 6, 2020. Appeal period to end on August 21, 2020.
CP 07-20-5367 AL Admin Expansion of a 300 square foot outdoor patio area adjacent to the restaurant uses in the freestanding building. 22331 El Toro Road James Collings, Colco Properties, Inc. Approved on August 4, 2020. Appeal period to end on August 19, 2020.
CP 06-20-5362 AL Admin Exterior modifications and new patio area at an existing office building. 23101 Lake Center Drive Zachary Hachey, SAA Approved on July 30, 2020. Appeal period to end on August 14, 2020.
SDP 06-20-5363 AL Admin Modification to the wall type and height of the neighborhood wall along Luciana in the northerly portion of the Serrano Summit Residential Community. Tract 18189, Lot 1 Vivian Extale, Lennar Homes Approved on July 21, 2020. Appeal period to end on August 5, 2020.
SDP 06-20-5365 JM Admin Site Development Permit for a new retail automobile dealership with 2 vehicles or fewer, 22772 Centre Drive, Suite 160 Sam Ghodsi Approved on July 20 2020. Appeal period to end on August 4, 2020.
ZC 10-19-5314 RS PC Ordinance amending various sections of LFMC, including: 9.04.030 – Definitions; 9.72.090 – Land Use Matrix; 9.72.100 – Non-Residential Building Setbacks; 9.144.070.1 – Model Homes for Sales and Rentals; 9.144.080.4 – Swimming Pools and Other Equipment; 9.144.080 – Accessory Uses and Structures; 9.146.050 – Accessory Dwelling Units; 9.164.070 – Minor Planned Sign Program; Table 9.164.110A – Temporary Signs Permitted; 9.168.040 – Residential Off-street Parking Requirements; and 9.168.070 – Off-street Parking Requirements, and adding 9.142 Donation Collection Boxes.  Citywide City of Lake Forest Planning Commission recommended approval to City Council on May 7, 2020. City Council public hearing to be held in July 7, 2020.