Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 and Commercial Cannabis Permit CCP-2026-0001.
Summary
SCH Number
2026090178
Public Agency
City of Laguna Woods
Document Title
Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 and Commercial Cannabis Permit CCP-2026-0001.
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/3/2026
Document Description
On August 5, 2026, the Laguna Woods Senior Planner approved Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 and Commercial Cannabis Permit CCP-2026-0001, both of which relate to the proposed establishment of a cannabis storefront retailer at the Project Location. Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 also applies to eligible successors at the project location, while Commercial Cannabis Permit CCP-2026-0001 is nontransferable. The property owner is JTP Laguna Woods LLC.
In approving Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 and Commercial Cannabis Permit CCP-2026-0001, the City Manager made the following findings:
1. General Plan. The use or project proposed is consistent with the General Plan.
The project is within the Commercial land use designation of the General Plan. The project is consistent with the Commercial land use designation of the General Plan, which is intended to "[cover] a broad range of non-residential, non-industrial uses. Typical commercial uses include retail stores, restaurants, administrative offices, retail services such as dry cleaners and barbershops, automobile sales and services, and may include institutional uses such as hospitals and churches."
The establishment of a cannabis storefront retailer would aid in achieving Goal 1 in the General Plan Land Use Element, which is to "promote land uses that accommodate the diverse needs of City of Laguna Woods residents," as well as Policy I.B in the General Plan Land Use Element, which is to "actively participate with property owners and their representatives to expand the range of retail goods and services."
In this case, over a period of several years, a number of City of Laguna Woods residents have expressed interest in the establishment of cannabis storefront retailers in Laguna Woods, including in 2020 with the passage of Measure V, which asked voters:
"Should the City of Laguna Woods allow the establishment and operation of marijuana dispensaries offering the retail sale of medical and non-medical marijuana in commercial zoning districts within the City of Laguna Woods city limits?"
6,651 ballots were cast for "Yes."
6,426 ballots were cast for "No."
The project would not change the existing floor area ratio for the existing building located at the Project Location, which was constructed prior to the City of Laguna Woods' incorporation.
2. Zoning Code. The use, activity or improvement(s) proposed is consistent with the provisions of the Zoning Code.
The Project Location is within the Community Commercial (CC) zoning district. The establishment of cannabis storefront retailers within the Community Commercial (CC) zoning district is explicitly permitted in the Laguna Woods Municipal Code. Condition of Approval #3 for Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 requires compliance with the Laguna Woods Municipal Code, which includes the Laguna Woods Zoning Code.
3. CEQA. The approval of the permit application is in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Based on the information received from the Project Applicant and staff's assessment of the same, the project has been determined to be categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. Additional information is contained in the "Reasons Why Project is Exempt" portion of this Notice of Exemption and incorporated herein by this reference.
4. Compatibility. The location, size, design and operating characteristics of the proposed use will not create conditions or situations that may be incompatible with other permitted uses in the vicinity.
The project involves occupancy of an existing building for commercial use and certain interior and exterior alterations to accommodate the specific commercial use. The Project Location has housed commercial uses since prior to the City of Laguna Woods' incorporation with no significant change in other permitted uses in the vicinity, which generally include private residences and a mortuary. The only abutting private property from which direct access is not obstructed by walls is occupied by a mortuary, which is also a commercial use.
Conditions of approval for Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 are included to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to avoid conditions or situations that may be incompatible with other permitted uses in the vicinity.
For example, Condition of Approval #3 requires the project – including all alterations – to "comply with all then-current requirements of the Laguna Woods Municipal Code and the California Building Standards Code, as well as federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations..."
Laguna Woods Municipal Code Section 13.26.025 contains regulations regarding the operation of cannabis storefront retailers, which are also likely to promote compatible uses with other permitted uses in the vicinity.
5. General welfare. The approval of the permit application will not result in conditions or circumstances contrary to the public health and safety and the general welfare.
The project is subject to conditions of approval for Site Development Permit SDP-2026-0001 that will regulate the use in manners consistent with the Laguna Woods Municipal Code. Several of the conditions of approval relate to public health, safety, and general welfare including, but not limited to, reservation of the City of Laguna Woods' rights to require additional security or safety measures, if warranted. Such conditions would assist in protecting the public from potential risk or danger.
The conditions of approval also explicitly require the project to comply with all then-current requirements of the Laguna Woods Municipal Code and the California Building Standards Code, as well as federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
Laguna Woods Municipal Code Section 13.26.025 contains regulations regarding the operation of cannabis storefront retailers, including minimum security measures. Laguna Woods Municipal Code Section 13.26.025(f)(21) makes clear that cannabis storefront retailers are responsible for providing adequate security, reading in part:
"In addition to complying with this section, cannabis storefront retailers shall develop, implement, and actively monitor security measures sufficient to protect the health, safety, and welfare of officials, officers, agents, employees, volunteers, associates, customers, visitors, passersby, and all other persons who may enter, cross over, or otherwise interact with parcel(s) on which they are located, whether invited or not, at all times and on all days, regardless of the cannabis storefront retailer's hours of operation or any other factor."
6. Public facilities. The approval of the permit application is in compliance with all City-required public facilities regulations.
The project has been evaluated against all City of Laguna Woods regulations through the site development permit process and commercial cannabis permit process. Following such evaluation, the project is deemed to be in compliance, subject to the conditions of approval.
The project would not require the addition or modification of any public facilities, nor heightened levels of service for any public services operating from public facilities.
Contact Information
Name
Justin Faylona
Agency Name
City of Laguna Woods
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Lauren Fontein
Agency Name
TAT El Toro LLC
Job Title
Founder & Chief Compliance Officer
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Laguna Woods
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
West of Moulton Parkway, south of El Toro Road, and east Calle Sonora.
Zip
92637
Parcel #
621-211-05
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Not Subject to CEQA (Sec. 15060(c)(2); 15060(c)(3); 15378(b)(4); 15273; 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, Sec. 21000 et seq.) (“CEQA”) pursuant to sections 15060(c)(2) (the activities will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activities are not a project as defined in section 15378) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 (“State CEQA Guidelines”). Section 15378(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines excludes “government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities” from its definition of “project” when they “do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment,” as is the case here.
Even if the resolution were subject to CEQA, it would be categorically exempt under Section 15273 of the State CEQA Guidelines, which applies to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, or other charges by the City, when such charges are for the purpose of (1) meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits, and (2) purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment, or materials – as is the case here.
Finally, even if the resolution were subject to CEQA, it would be exempt based on Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution does not include any physical change to the environment.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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