Hotel Development in Dana Point Harbor Awaits Coastal Commission Hearing

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The Dana Point Harbor Partners is still awaiting a hearing with the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to discuss two proposed hotel developments.

Three years ago last month, the Dana Point City Council approved a resolution to submit an amendment to the city’s Local Coastal Plan (LCP) that asked to modify the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan by demolishing an existing hotel and constructing two new hotels.

The commission must schedule a public hearing within 90 days of receiving a complete LCP amendment submission unless it approves a time extension. According to CCC staff, the commission requested additional information twice before deeming the application complete.

The LCP Amendment request was deemed officially submitted on April 17, 2023; however, the CCC voted on July 13 to give itself a one-year time limit extension to hear the item.

The item, which was moved to the consent calendar to be voted on in one fell motion with other routine items, was approved “to allow for the

Prado West Seeks Artists’ Submissions for 2 Murals

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Developers of the Prado West development in the Town Center are searching for Orange County-based artists to apply for two large panel mural opportunities for display in the 109-unit apartment community.

Every six months, Raintree Partners rotates some of the artwork in its “Halls of Public Expression,” sourcing new artists to create murals revolving around Dana Point history and “what makes it a special place.”

The rotating art installation is part of Dana Point’s Art in Public Places program, meant to encourage developers to incorporate art in public-facing areas of their properties.

So far, four murals have been installed in Prado West’s halls by artists Carly Ealey, Taylor Gallegos, Sean Dominguez and Skye Walker.

Finalists will receive a $250 design stipend, with the two project awardees maximum amount of time to properly schedule the requested amendment for public hearing in case of unexpected delays resulting from uncertainty in the review process and/or scheduling issues that may arise,” according to the staff report.

RD Olson Development is leading the hotel portion of the $400 million revitalization of the Dana Point Harbor, including construction of a market-rate and a low-cost hotel.

The Dana Point Marina Inn is proposed to be replaced with two new hotels: a four-star upscale hotel and a three-star affordable hotel, featuring a coastal design with harbor views, restaurants and bars, fitness centers, ballrooms and meeting rooms.

Bob Olson, president of RD Olson Development, said that after three years, the development group “thought we would have an approval by now. I think it’s fair to say we wish we were further along, that’s all.”

Olson added that “what we’re offering is a great amenity, both to the local community, as well as the entire state of California and the visitors.”

If the LCP amendment is approved for the hotel developments, Olson estimated that the hotels will still be three years away from opening.

“Once we’re approved, they’ll then get into all the working drawings and the detailed permits, building permits, and then the construction.”

City Seeking Applicants for Open Planning Commission Seat

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The City of Dana Point is seeking residents interested in reviewing planning and development matters in the city to apply for an open Planning Commission seat by July 28.

In an emailed statement on Tuesday, July 18, the California Coastal Commission stated that “due to workload and staffing issues, the Commission staff needed additional time to work with the City and the project proponent. We are actively working on the details of this LCP amendment, and will bring it to a public hearing before the Commission in the near future.” ski thanked Margolle for her enthusiasm and interest.

“You kind of bring a fresh point of view to things,” Wisneski said.

Commissioner Eric Nelson said that “while it’s been brief, it’s been good to get to know you a little bit.” receiving $6,000 upon completion of the murals.

“I think it’s also good for us to get a reflection, as a planning body on our own planning commission couldn’t find a place in our own town, and that’s sad,” Nelson continued.

Murals are slated to be completed in September 2023. Raintree Partners plans to donate two murals currently on display at the apartment community, Old Killer Dana by Sean Dominquez and Migration by Skye Walker, to the Dana Point Community Center.

The deadline to apply for the mural projects is 5 p.m. on July 28.

Artists can email a portfolio link to Bryan Snyder of Snyder Art and Design at theartist@snyderartdesign.com.

The council-appointed position is open after former Commissioner Abigail Margolle celebrated her last day behind the dais on July 10.

Dana Point City Council appointed Margolle, a two-year resident of Dana Point, to the commission on Jan. 17.

As a renter, Margolle aimed to bring a different perspective to the commission. However, after struggling to find affordable housing in Dana Point, she announced her departure from city and the commission to move to San Diego County.

Celebrating Margolle’s brief time on the commission this month, Director of Community Development Brenda Wisne -

The city is looking for applicants to fill Margolle’s open seat. The term expires on March 31, 2025.

Planning commissioners meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month and review planning and development matters to ensure potential projects are consistent with the city’s General Plan.

Applicants for the vacant seat must be registered voters and residents of Dana Point to be considered for appointment by the City Council. The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on July 28.

Applications are available on the city’s website, danapoint.org, or at the City Clerk’s Office at 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 203, Dana Point.

Old Acre Winery Brings Napa Valley Wines to Dana Point

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

Looking to create a community-oriented lounge for wine lovers to taste a variety of Napa Valley wines, Old Acre Winery opened its doors in the Dana Marina Plaza earlier this month.

Old Acre offers wine by the glass or by the bottle from its boutique winery in Napa Valley.

Trying to emulate the feeling of a British pub, co-owner and Winemaker Simon Wilson, who’s originally from the United Kingdom, looked to create a conversational space where customers can move chairs around to have a more intimate experience among friends.

Simon noted that he misses the experience that when you go into a pub,“in 10 minutes, you know everyone.”

“I feel sometimes that even though Dana Point does have some good community places, I think it lacks a little of that,” Simon said.

Co-owner Laurel Wilson added that the couple wanted to create an open space where customers can meet new people, chat and have a good time.

“We wanted to be more of a lounge where people can come and hang out and stay awhile and be comfortable, kind of like you’re at home,” Wilson said.“Not

Dana Point Moves to Phase 2 in General Plan Update Process

BY BREEANA GREENBERG

The City of Dana Point has moved into Phase 2 of its process to update the General Plan after the City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 18, to request proposals from consultant teams interested in helping to draft guidelines for the city’s development for the next 20 years.

The visioning phase of the General Plan update culminated in a Community Visioning Open House, Planning Commission Meeting and Tuesday’s council meeting, when staff shared key ideas and policy priorities that emerged from residents’ input.

The city also published two documents, a summary of engagement efforts, which highlights staff’s efforts to engage the community in the first phase, and a visioning framework that shares residents’ long-term vision for Dana Point.

After the Dana Point Planning Commission discussed changes to the ver- where you’re always sitting at a table, just drinking a bottle of wine.”

Simon added that they call themselves a wine lounge rather than a wine bar, because the couple wanted the space to have a “loungey feel.”

Old Acre Winery looks to also make wine tastings more affordable and approachable, offering wines by the glass as well as by the bottle.

“Without having the bottle and the label and the cork, we can make them less expensive,” Simon said.“They’re from Napa, Sonoma, but they’re very competitive with everything else in the region or in this area.”

As a boutique winery, Simon noted that “we take painstaking attention when we do our blending” and use local resources to biodynamically farm their grapes.

Simon emphasized that the winery uses “no herbicides, no pesticides, any of that stuff.” biage in the city’s visioning statement on July 10, staff presented the revised vision statement to the council:

Old Acre’s red wines are stored in old and new French oak barrels to mature.

Customers can also taste wine from Old Acre’s wine machine, which holds all its higher-end, premium wines.

Old Acre Winery members will receive a card that they can use to purchase a glass or taste from the wine machine.

“If you just want to try something before you buy a bottle, you can, or if you just want to get a glass, you can,” Laurel said.

Members also receive 20% off any bottles they purchase without any obligation to purchase bottles throughout the year.

Dana Point is a coastal community that sets the standard as a vibrant, world-class place. Our vision is a city rooted in a strong sense of community, with a connection to the ocean, that celebrates our heritage and cultural diversity. We envision a City with responsible development, public safety, a healthy economy, and environmental stewardship ensuring that Dana Point remains a coastal haven for residents and visitors.

The plan development phase is expected to take place over the next two years. Staff anticipates coming back to City Council this fall with a recommendation for a consultant team to lead the drafting process.

Responding to Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Federico’s question of whether the city could complete the update process in 18 months, Principal Planner Belinda Deines said it may be possible if the city pursues a phased approach.

The town’s current plan comprises nine elements, including land use, urban design, housing, circulation, noise, public safety, conservation/open space and economic development, as well as a land-use policy map.

One of the biggest perks of being a member, Laurel noted, is access to the wine machine. Non-members can still try the premium wines, but they will need to ask a server to assist with the wine machine.

“If you’re a member, you get a card; you’d just be able to walk in if we were busy, grab your glass, put your card in, get your wine and sit down,” Simon said.

“If you don’t want to join, you just want to come in and have a glass of Chardonnay, you’re more than welcome,” Simon continued

What makes the wine lounge unique is that it offers high-end Napa wines by the glass, Simon said.

“You go to any restaurant around here or any bar that carries high-end stuff,

Staff proposed breaking down the update process into updating the land use, circulation and economic development elements in the first phase and updating the noise, urban design, open space and conservation elements in the second phase.

Though Federico noted that he likes the phased approach, he questions whether it may be more important to prioritize the urban design element over the economic development element in the first phase.

“We realize that the market, or the environment, is already here for growth and development in Dana Point. We know that people want to redevelop properties here, so we’re already behind the curve by not having a rewritten General Plan, probably four years ago,” Federico said.

“I wonder if the physical environment type stuff maybe shouldn’t be front-loaded,” Federico continued. “As important as economic development is, I want to make sure that this General Plan is going to be on the shelf for 20 years, doesn’t miss something that’s going to get built next year and we haven’t rewritten it yet.”

Deines responded that three elements they’re not going to open a bottle to let you have a taste, certainly if it’s over $50, because it’s going to spoil if no one else drinks it,” Simon said.

“The beauty of this machine is you can—you know, some of those wines are $150 a bottle—but you can get two ounces for $15, and you can try and see if you like it,” Simon continued.“It means that you can taste stuff that’s unique.”

As membership grows, Old Acre will offer education nights and guided wine tastings.

“We’re closed on Monday, so it’ll probably be on Monday evening,” Simon said.“I’ll just stand at the podium and go through the wines. I think for a lot of people, wine can be very intimidating.”

Simon added that tastings in Napa can be “snooty.” Through education nights at Old Acre, Simon aims to make high-end wine more accessible.

“I think education in wine is really important,” Simon said.“When I started making wine, I can’t even think how much I’ve learned in the time I’ve been doing it, but you only learn by doing it.” identified for the first phase were ones the community highlighted during the visioning phase as the most important areas in the General Plan to be updated.

In the future, Laurel, who started her own charcuterie business during the pandemic, looks to eventually offer charcuterie and light food pairings with the wines.

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce welcomed Old Acre Winery into the local business community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 19.

She added that the urban design element will require California Coastal Commission approval and more resident input, noting that the element may take more time.

Mayor Mike Frost asked if staff needed direction on a decision between a phased or comprehensive approach to the plan development phase.

Deines said the request for proposals is written so that consultant teams can propose a plan for either a phased or comprehensive approach.

Though the visioning phase is complete, there will still be opportunities for residents to share comments, concerns and ideas for the updated General Plan in the plan development phase.

Residents can weigh in during the public-comment period of the Environmental Impact Report and as the city looks to recertify its Local Coastal Plan with the Coastal Commission.

Additionally, city staff noted that residents can email info@plandanapoint.com at any point to provide input or share ideas or concerns.