CURRENT PROJECTS AND RECENT DECISIONS

Updated May 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 Assistant Planner (949) 461-3491 cmusler@lakeforestca.gov
Gabriela Aguirre Planning Aide (Part-Time) (949) 461-3573 gaguirre@lakeforestca.gov
Vacant Planning Intern (Part-Time) (949) 461-3496 planning@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:

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

The City is in the process of updating its 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. Draft documents and information will be posted on this page for review and comment as they become available.

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
Changed Plan 03-24-5692 Jennifer Mansur, Senior Planner Admin Replace the Bocce ball courts with 2 pickleball courts at The Meadows Senior Apartments 101 Lopala Debra Perber, Meadows Senior LP Approved by the Director of Community Development on May 2, 2024. Appeal Period Ends May 17, 2024.
Changed Plan 03-24-5694

Connor Musler, Assistant Planner 

Gabriela Aguirre, Planning Aide

 Admin Removal and replacement of an existing canopy and sunscreen shade for two walk-up ATM's at Bank of America 26660 Portola Parkway Doreen Nicosia  Approved by the Director of Community Development on May 6, 2024. Appeal Period Ends May 22, 2024.
Minor Planned Sign Program 03-24-5690 Gabriela Aguirre, Planning Aide Admin Amendment to the existing Planned Sign Program to allow for a monument sign along Serrano Rd for the shopping center for a total of four monument signs on the property. 22477 El Toro Road Edgar Aceituno, Express Sign & Neon Approved by the Director of Community Development on May 6, 2024. Appeal Period Ends May 22, 2024.
Use Permit 11-23-5673 Connor Musler, Assistant Planner PC Request to add an additional antenna sector with two, 12-foot-tall freestanding poles with three antennas, two remote radio units, and associated camouflaging. The request also includes modifications to the existing wireless communication facility with the removal and replacement of one antenna and addition of one antenna.  20696 Regency Lane Peter J. Blied, Plancom Inc. Approved by the Planning Commission on May 9, 2024. Appeal Period Ends May 28, 2024
Use Permit 02-24-5684 Jennifer Mansur, AICP, Senior Planner PC Amendment to Use Permit 12-12-3025 to add a self-contained live fire range to the Artemis Defense Institute 11 Spectrum Drive Sandy Sunu-Liberman, Artemis Defense Institute Approved by the Planning Commission on May 9, 2024. Appeal Period Ends May 28, 2024
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

2023 Community Services Commission

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Community Services Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

The Community Services Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the acquisition, development, and maintenance of public parks and recreational facilities. The Commission also advises the City Council on matters relating to recreational programs and provides advice to the Community Services Department.

This Commission meets the Wednesday after the first City Council meeting of each month, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members pledge upon appointment to represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or interest and will sign an Ethics Policy upon appointment to the Commission. The City assigns a staff liaison to work with the Commission and facilitate communication between the Commission and the City Council.

In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities. Commissioners receive a salary of $59 per meeting, not to exceed $118 per month.

One file only.
2 GB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Please limit your responses to 100 words each for Questions 7-10.

Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

Tell us about your understanding of government: Please limit your comments to 100 words each for Questions 14 & 15.

Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

Attachments

The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Community Services Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled on the Wednesday following the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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2023 Planning Commission Application

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Planning Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

The City's Planning Commission is a decision-making body tasked with reviewing matters related to planning and development in the City. The Planning Commission consists of five members which are appointed by the City- Council with Commissioners serving four-year terms. Typical projects reviewed by the Planning Commission include applications for new development, proposed changes in zoning or the text of the Municipal Code, as well as review proposed subdivisions of land. The Planning Commission is also responsible for making recommendations to the City Council as to whether a project or action would be consistent with the General Plan.

The Commission meets on the same week in which the City Council holds their first meeting of the month on Thursdays and meetings commence at 6:30 p.m. In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities.

Commissioners receive a salary of $118 per meeting, not to exceed $236 per month.

One file only.
2 GB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Please limit your responses to 100 words each for Questions 7-10.

Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

Tell us about your understanding of government: Please limit your comments to 100 words each for Questions 14 & 15.

Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

Attachments

The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Planning Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled on the same week in which the City Council holds their first meeting of the month on Thursdays and meetings commence at 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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2023 Traffic and Parking Commission

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Traffic and Parking Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023. There is currently one seat available on the commission.

The Traffic and Parking Commission advises the City Council on issues relating to parking and the safe and efficient movement of traffic, including vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other modes of transportation upon the circulation network of the City. The Commission will provide recommendations related to traffic and parking including, but not limited to traffic and parking related field studies, requests for traffic control devices, requests for permit parking and street sweeping parking restrictions, and other related matters.

This Commission meets the Monday prior to the first City Council meeting of each month, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members pledge upon appointment to represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or interest and will sign an Ethics Policy upon appointment to the Commission. The City assigns a staff liaison to work with the Commission and facilitate communication between the Commission and the City Council. In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities.

Commissioners receive a salary of $118 per meeting, not to exceed $236 per month.

One file only.
2 GB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Please limit your responses to 100 words each for Questions 7-10.

Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

Tell us about your understanding of government: Please limit your comments to 100 words each for Questions 14 & 15.

Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

Attachments

The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Traffic and Parking Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled the Monday prior to the first City Council meeting each month ar 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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Responsible Pet Ownership

Vet / Clinic:
20780 Lake Forest Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 600-8310
23162 El Toro Frontage Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 837-5222
29040 Portola Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 380-1255
24301 Muirlands Blvd Ste P, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 837-7660
22377 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 855-9744
3 Rancho Circle, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 581-7979
26741 Rancho Pkwy Suite 105-D, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 354-5201 BlissAnimalHospital.com

Owner Information

City: Lake Forest

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