Home Departments Community Development Planning Planning and Development Current Projects and Recent Decisions CURRENT PROJECTS AND RECENT DECISIONS Updated November 2024 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 gackerman@lakeforestca.gov Amy Stonich, AICP Assistant Director of Community Development (949) 461-3479 astonich@lakeforestca.gov Ron Santos Senior Planner (949) 461-3449 rsantos@lakeforestca.gov Marie Luna Senior Planner (949) 461-3466 mluna@lakeforestca.gov Jennifer Mansur, AICP Senior Planner (949) 461-3472 jmansur@lakeforestca.gov Connor Musler Associate Planner (949) 461-3491 cmusler@lakeforestca.gov Gabriela Aguirre Planning Aide (Part-Time) (949) 461-3573 gaguirre@lakeforestca.gov Lauren Heyden Community Development Intern (Part-Time) (949) 461-3496 lheyden@lakeforestca.gov General Planning General Planning (949) 461-3535 planning@lakeforestca.gov Current Projects View a list of projects (PDF) that the Planning Division is processing. Environmental Documents for Public Review Below is a listing of current environmental documents for public review: Great Scott Tree Care Project, Recirculated MND Great Scott Tree Care Project Technical Studies: Appendices A - I Appendix A - Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, & Energy Impact Appendix B - Biological Resources Assessment Appendix C - Cultural Resources Studies Appendix D - Preliminary Geotechnical Evaluation Appendix E - Hazardous Materials Documentation Appendix F - Hydrology and Water Quality Studies Appendix G - Noise Impact Study Appendix H - Project Trip Generation Appendix I - Tribal Consultation Communication Link to Planning Commission Agenda with Great Scott Tree Care Project: www.lakeforestca.gov/en/agendas PC Attachment 10 items can be viewed at the following links: Architectural Plans Civil Plans Landscape Plans OCFA Fire Master Plan Technical Studies Project Specifics Planning Application Project Description CR&R Correspondence Title Report Project Trip Generation Grading Plan Scenic Easement Basemap Trees Operations Truck Arrival and Departure Plan Narrative IPT Business Center LLC Notice Update of Extended Comment Period & Public Participation IPT Enterprise Business Center LLC Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) IPT Enterprise Business Center LLC Environmental Scoping Meeting (PowerPoint Presentation) 2024 CEQA Statute and Guidelines Handbook Noise Policies and Standards Update City staff has initiated an update of the City’s noise policies and standards to align with the community's vision for the future and provide clear, comprehensive, and consistent policies, standards, and thresholds to regulate mobile, stationary, and construction noise sources within the City. The updated policies and standards are encompassed in three existing City documents: General Plan Public Safety Element (“GP-PSE”); Lake Forest Municipal Code (“LFMC”) Chapter 11.16 – Noise Control; and Local Thresholds of Significance Guide for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA Thresholds”). The update would establish: (1 – GP-PSE) new, modified, and deleted policies and implementation actions, modified criteria for land use compatibility, and modified performance criteria for stationary noise sources, as well as incorporation of the recently updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (“LHMP”); (2 – LFMC) new and modified definitions, exterior noise standards, and exemptions; new prohibited noises; new and modified construction noise and vibration standards; new and modified enforcement provisions; and modified provisions for temporarily exceeding noise limits; and (3 – CEQA Thresholds) modified thresholds for determining the significance of project related noise impacts, based largely on the standards and criteria in the proposed amended versions of the GP-PSE and LFMC. Current versions of the draft updates are available for public review and comment below, in the form of “redlined” versions. The redlined versions identify all proposed changes to the current documents in red font, with underlined and strikethrough formatting for new and deleted text, respectively. Public Comments on the draft documents may be directed to Ron Santos – Senior Planner at rsantos@lakeforestca.gov . The draft documents are tentatively scheduled for consideration by the Planning Commission as a public hearing item at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 7, 2024. CEQA Significance Thresholds Guide - REDLINE (PDF) GP Public Safety Element - REDLINE (PDF) LFMC Ch 11.16 - REDLINE (PDF) View FAQ's pertaining to the Noise Policies and Standards Update. Recent Decisions The following table is a list of recent decisions and corresponding appeal periods, when applicable. Project Number Planner Decision Body Description Location Applicant Decision Date CP 09-24-5734 (Shea-Baker Ranch Parkway Trees) Ron Santos, Senior Planner Admin Remove, and remove and replace, parkway trees along Finch, Heron, Lilac, Laurel, and Plumeria streets in Shea-Baker Ranch neighborhoods. Finch, Heron, Calliope, Hyacinth, Cress, Lilac, Laurel, and Plumeria streets in Shea-Baker Ranch neighborhood. Corin Bemus, Bemus Landscape, Inc. on behalf of Baker Ranch Community Association Approved by the Director of Community Development on November 4, 2024. Appeal Period Ends November 19, 2024. Site Development Permit 07-24-5722 (Tolerance Foundation) Ron Santos, Senior Planner Admin Establish religious institution use in an existing 26,086 sq. ft. office building. 25351 Commercentre Drive Gang Li - ACEMD Corp. Approved by the Director of Community Development 11-20-24. Appeal Period Ends 12-05-24. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Opportunities Study - Maps - Opportunities Study Timeline - Program Environmental Impact Report Current Projects and Recent Decisions Redevelopment