Laguna Niguel City Council
November 13, 2025

To:

CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jonathan Orduna, Community Development Director
November 13, 2025 DATE:

SUBJECT: Laguna Niguel General Plan Update: General Plan Amendment GPA 23- 01 and Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01

RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council open the public hearing, take public testimony, close the public hearing, and then take the following actions:

1. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1514, certifying the Laguna Niguel General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01 (SCH No. 2025050495), and adopting the CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and

2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1515, approving General Plan Amendment GPA 23- 01: Laguna Niguel General Plan Update.

BACKGROUND
California law requires every city and county to adopt and periodically update a comprehensive General Plan. The General Plan serves as a city's blueprint for the future, guiding decision-making for growth, development, and public infrastructure through a framework of goals and policies. It addresses issues that impact the entire city, such as land use, building placement, transportation networks, parks and open space, trails, and public safety. All city plans, zoning, and private and public development projects must be consistent with the General Plan.

Laguna Niguel's current General Plan was adopted in 1992. Except for the Housing and Land Use Elements, most of the Elements remain largely unchanged since their original adoption. As a part of the Laguna Niguel Strategic Plan under Goal No. 5: Economic and Community Development, Strategy No. 3, a comprehensive update of the General Plan is identified as an action item to be completed between 2021-2025.

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The proposed updated General Plan (General Plan Update) would replace the 1992 General Plan, with the exception of the Housing Element, which was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on February 22, 2024. While the update retains some of the overarching framework, goals, and policies from the original plan, it has been thoroughly revised to address current local conditions, community priorities and goals, changes in State requirements, and reorganized to enhance clarity and usability.

This City Council hearing marks the culmination of more than two years of extensive community engagement, including a citywide survey, virtual outreach, pop-up events, an Open House town hall, stakeholder interviews, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Scoping Meeting, public review and comment periods for the General Plan Update and EIR, and a Planning Commission hearing. This report presents the General Plan Update and Final EIR to the City Council for consideration and adoption.

Planning Commission Public Hearing
On October 28, 2025, the Planning Commission, as an advisory body to the City Council, held a publicly noticed hearing to consider the proposed General Plan Update and accompanying Draft EIR. At the meeting, 12 speakers provided comments. Below is a general summary of the common project-related topics discussed at the hearing.

Property at the Northwest Corner of Crown Valley Parkway/Pacific Island Drive Intersection. Six speakers expressed opposition to application of the Hospitality Overlay to the 56-acre property located northwest of the Crown Valley Parkway and Pacific Island Drive intersection. Each speaker noted that they live near the subject property and mostly voiced overall objection to any development on the vacant site.

As described in the General Plan Update, the purpose of the Hospitality Overlay is to identify undeveloped or underutilized land with expansive ocean or territorial views that may be suitable for a high-quality boutique hotel (up to a maximum of 120 rooms for the subject property), which the City lacks. Any future hotel proposal would require, at a minimum, approval of a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and a Specific Plan, providing the City with significant discretionary review authority. Additionally, any future hotel development would be subject to a site-specific environmental review under CEQA. This analysis would include detailed evaluation of potential impacts related to hillside stability, biological resources, noise, traffic congestion, aesthetics, and wildfire risks, which were specifically voiced as concerns by the nearby residents during the hearing.

The Hospitality Overlay does not alter the site's underlying land use designation, and no hotel or residential development applications are currently pending. Although nearby residents may prefer the property to remain undeveloped, both the existing and proposed land use designations recognize the private property's longstanding residential development rights, which have been in place for decades.

In supporting the Hospitality Overlay and proposed application to the subject property, the Planning Commission agreed that the gap in hospitality accommodations has been recognized by residents and City officials as a longstanding and significant void in the community that should be explored. The Commission further cited the related factors previously discussed emphasizing that, consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan, any future project would need to first demonstrate that all public safety and use compatibility concerns had been satisfactorily addressed.

Higher-Density Affordable Housing. Four speakers advocated for increased residential density and affordable housing mandates within the three Opportunity Areas. Concerns were also expressed over the extent of City Council discretion in considering Opportunity Area Overlay projects.

As context, the City's 2021-2029 Housing Element, certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in February 2024, remains a separate and unchanged component of the City's policy framework. The Housing Element incorporates goals, policies, and programs deemed sufficient by HCD to meet City housing needs across all income levels. To this point, the Gateway Specific Plan was recently amended to include supporting provisions for high-density, transit-oriented housing development with a minimum density of 40 dwelling units per acre and inclusionary affordable housing for projects exceeding 50 dwelling units per acre and up to 120 dwelling units per acre.

In endorsing the General Plan Update approach to housing, the Planning Commission cited the above, finding the General Plan goals and policies to be complimentary to the Housing Element while also providing the City Council flexibility in considering a range of factors, such as a project's balance of land uses (including jobs/housing ratios), neighborhood character, project quality and design, economic factors, and broader public benefits, including affordable housing, when evaluating Opportunity Area projects. Furthermore, it was noted that any residential development envisioned within the Opportunity Areas via the associated Overlays would be above and beyond that necessary to meet State housing mandates.

Other Topics. Two additional speakers addressed other topics. One spoke on CEQA­ related matters, which are addressed within the EIR, its supporting technical studies in the appendices, or would be evaluated through a separate project-specific CEQA review should a future development proposal be submitted. The other speaker commented on food waste contributions to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, the benefits of landscaping in support of active transportation, and referenced the Gateway Specific Plan, which is governed by its own land use plan and implementation programs, independent from the General Plan Update.

In addition to the above deliberations, the Planning Commission applauded the extensive community engagement process that formed the basis for the General Plan Update as well as the update's embodiment of the related Community Vision Statement and Guiding Page4
Principles previously reviewed and refined by the City Council. Also noted were the update's readability, which the Commission felt would make the update a very useful tool for a range of users. With regard to the project EIR, the Commission found the analysis and accompanying mitigation to be thorough and appropriate. In closing, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt Resolutions approving the General Plan Update and certifying the project's EIR. The Planning Commission Meeting Minutes are included as Attachment C.

ANALYSIS
The General Plan Update was developed through a two-phase process:
• Phase 1 (2021-2023): Baseline evaluation of the 1992 General Plan, a comprehensive citywide traffic analysis, and consultation with industry experts in assessing market trends and fiscal conditions relevant for Laguna Niguel. • Phase 2 (2023-2025): On June 6, 2023, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with De Novo Planning Group to serve as the City's consultant for the General Plan Update process. In collaboration with City staff, this included:
o Preparing an Existing Conditions Report (ECR) covering topical areas not addressed in Phase 1 (Exhibit 2 of Attachment B).
o Conducting community outreach and engagement.
o Developing a Community Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for City Council consideration.
o Drafting the General Plan Update (Exhibit 1 of Attachment B). o Preparing EIR 24-01 and associated technical studies (Exhibits 1-4 of Attachment A).

Existing Conditions Report (ECR)
The ECR provides a comprehensive overview of Laguna Niguel's current as-built conditions, community character, and the regulatory framework. It also serves as both a foundation for the General Plan Update and as a resource for the EIR's "existing setting" sections. For reference, the ECR is included as Exhibit 2 to Attachment B.

Community Outreach & Engagement
Community outreach and engagement played a significant role in shaping the initial vision and ultimate goals and policies of the General Plan Update. The engagement strategy included a multipronged approach to encourage public participation and offer a range of opportunities for community members to stay informed and share their input. As detailed in the Introduction chapter of the General Plan Update, these efforts connected the City with thousands of Laguna Niguel residents, business owners, and community partners.

Community Vision Statement & Guiding Principles
Following community outreach and engagement, the next phase focused on drafting of a General Plan Community Vision Statement and accompanying Guiding Principles, which were considered and refined by the City Council on June 25, 2024. The Vision Statement presents an aspirational view of Laguna Niguel now and in the future. It also serves as a broad, foundational guide in shaping the General Plan Update. The Community Vision Statement and Guiding Principles are included in the Introduction chapter of the General Plan Update and are summarized below:
■ Community Vision Statement. The Community Vision Statement highlights Laguna Niguel's scenic character, extensive open spaces, safe neighborhoods, coastal proximity, and fiscal responsibility. It promotes quality recreational amenities, schools, shopping and dining, well-connected mobility networks, and a strong business community as key contributors to its appeal as a place to live, work, and visit. The statement also references key opportunity areas to support a dynamic blend of commercial, entertainment, and complementary residential uses to foster multi-generational growth and vitality.
• Guiding Principles. The Community Vision Statement is supported by the following Guiding Principles:
o Thriving community
o Strong and resilient economy
o Environmental stewardship
o Connecting people and places
o Innovation for a better future
General Plan Update
The General Plan Update is a comprehensive, long-range policy document with a 20-year horizon, outlining goals and policies to guide future decisions. As required by State law (Government Code Section 65302), General Plans are divided into chapters known as "elements" based on specific topics. These include: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety1. In addition, cities and counties may include optional elements to address local priorities. The General Plan Update addresses all the mandatory elements and includes two optional elements: Economic Development and Public Facilities and Services. Laguna Niguel's 2021-2029 Housing Element, certified by HCD on February 22, 2024, is not proposed to be modified as a part of this update. 1 The City of Laguna Niguel is not required to include an Environmental Justice Element because there are no identified disadvantaged communities within the City. For the General Plan Update, Open Space and Conservation have been combined and retitled Resource Management, Safety has been retitled Public Safety, and Circulation has been retitled Mobility.

It should also be noted that the General Plan Update incorporates environmental sustainability throughout the document via supporting goals and policies. These address key topics such as transportation, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, climate resilience, air quality, and natural resource protection. To highlight these priorities, sustainability-related policies are marked with a leaf icon to the left side of the policy reference number, with over 80 policies in total.

For a general overview of each Element, please refer to the October 28, 2025 Planning Commission Staff Report (Attachment C). For their complete content, please refer to the General Plan Update, included as Exhibit 1 to Attachment B.

CEQA COMPLIANCE
DeNovo Planning Group, in collaboration with City staff and other City third-party consultants, prepared EIR 24-01 for the General Plan Update pursuant to CEQA and the City's CEQA Manual. An EIR is the most comprehensive form of CEQA environmental review and documentation. The purpose of this EIR is to inform decision-makers and the public of the potential environmental impacts of the General Plan Update and include mitigation measures, as necessary, to reduce environmental impacts.

EIR 24-01 is composed of two companion documents as follows:
• Draft EIR 24-01 (Exhibit 2 to Attachment A) which contains the Project Description (including the potential General Plan Update theoretical maximum buildout as well as demolition of the Chet Holifield Federal Building), Environmental Analysis, and Alternatives; and,
• Final EIR 24-01 (Exhibit 3 to Attachment A) which contains the Errata to Draft EIR 24-01, Response to Comments, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.

Supporting EIR documents include the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Technical Appendices, which are also included as exhibits to Attachment A.

Summary of Findings
In summary, the EIR found that most CEQA impacts would be less than significant or less than significant with mitigation2. However, potential significant and unavoidable impacts were identified for Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, and Transportation - Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)3.
2 The mitigation measures to reduce environmental impacts to less than significant are included in the Draft EIR and incorporated into the Final EIR Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Exhibit 3 of Attachment A). 3 The EIR assessed the transportation impacts of the proposed General Plan Update, including circulation, safety, and VMT. Except for VMT, all other transportation -related impacts were found to be less than significant or less than significant with mitigation .

These findings for Air Quality, GHG Emissions, and VMT are not uncommon in program­ level General Plan EIRs, which evaluate long-term cumulative impacts under maximum potential buildout scenarios. The expansive scope and conservative projections inherent in these assessments often trigger significant impact findings, especially when impacts are aggregated at a regional or statewide scale. It is important to note, the General Plan Update incorporates contemporary goals, policies, and EIR mitigation measures intended to reduce emissions, limit vehicle travel, and promote more efficient and sustainable land use patterns.

Regarding cultural resources, the potential demolition of the Chet Holifield Federal Building would constitute a significant cultural impact, as its removal cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level.

For these impacts that cannot be mitigated to a less than significant level, the City must adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations that economic, social, and other considerations support approval of the General Plan Update. These supporting findings are included as part of Exhibit 1 to Attachment A.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

1. Modify the General Plan Update, Resolutions, and/or supporting documents as directed by the City Council.

2. Not adopt one or more of the Resolutions. This alternative is not recommended because it would leave the City reliant on an outdated 1992 General Plan that does not reflect current conditions or State law.

FISCAL REVIEW
The General Plan Update provides a solid fiscal foundation for the City now and into the future. Associated development capacities if realized are anticipated to increase annual City revenues, thereby providing further support to on-going City services, programming, and infrastructure improvements.

LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved this report and corresponding Resolutions as to form and content including the General Plan Update and associated environmental documents.

CONCLUSION
Following a multi-year collaborative planning effort shaped by input from residents, businesses, City leadership, regional partners, and other stakeholders, the General Plan Update serves as a beacon for future decision-making. It features a comprehensive framework to guide development, support economic and environmental objectives, enhance mobility, and preserve the City's enduring character. It provides a practical

roadmap for Laguna Niguel's continued evolution in the years to come that supports a connected and vibrant community, aligned with the City's Vision Statement and Guiding Principles.

Staff recommends that the City Council open the public hearing, take public testimony, close the public hearing, and then take the following actions:

1. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1514, certifying the Laguna Niguel General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01 (SCH No. 2025050495) and adopting the CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and

2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-1515, approving General Plan Amendment GPA 23- 01: Laguna Niguel General Plan Update.

Community Development Director
Attachments:

A. Draft Resolution No. 2025-1514 (EIR 24-01)
Exhibit(s)

1. Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations

2. Draft EIR 24-01 (Project Description, Environmental Analysis, and Alternatives)

3. Final EIR 24-01 (Errata, Response to Comments, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program)

4. EIR 24-01 Technical Appendices
B. Draft Resolution No. 2025-1515 (GPA 23-01 - Laguna Niguel General Plan Update) Exhibit(s)

1. Laguna Niguel General Plan Update

2. Laguna Niguel General Plan - Existing Conditions Report C. October 28, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Attachment A
Resolution No. 2025-1514 (EIR 24-01)

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-1514

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA

NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS

PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT,

CERTIFYING THE LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN UPDATE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT ( SCH #2025050495), ADOPTING

THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND A

STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65300 et seq. requires the City of Laguna Niguel (“City”) to adopt and maintain a General Plan that contains certain elements, describes its long-term goals, and develop policies and programs to achieve those goals; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan has been periodically amended, including updates to the Housing Element as required by State law; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2023, the City Council approved a professional contract with DeNovo Planning Group to prepare a comprehensive update to the City’s General Plan (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, the City has sought to proactively engage the public in the update to the General Plan, including a citywide survey, virtual engagement, in -person community events and stakeholder meetings; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to section 21067 of the Public Resources Code, and section 15367 of the State California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.), the City is the lead agency for the proposed Project; and WHEREAS, in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines section 15063, the City determined that an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) was clearly required for the Project and an Initial Study was not required; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines section 15082, on May 8, 2025, the City sent to the State Clearinghouse and each responsible and trustee agency a Notice of Preparation (“NOP”) stating that an Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse Number #2025050495) would be prepared; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21083.9 and State CEQA Guidelines sections 15082(c) and 15083, the City held a duly noticed Scoping Meeting on May 21, 2025, to solicit comments on the scope of the environmental rev iew of the proposed Project; and
WHEREAS, During the NOP public review period, the City received 125 written comments in addition to verbal comments provided at the scoping meeting; and

WHEREAS, a Draft Environmental Impact Report (“Draft EIR”) was prepared, incorporating comments received in response to the NOP; and WHEREAS, the Draft EIR determined that mitigation measures were required to mitigate impacts to a less than significant level for the following resource areas: Biological Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality Noise, Tribal Cultural Resources, and Wildfire; and WHEREAS, the Draft EIR further concluded that despite the incorporation of all feasible mitigation measures, the proposed Project would nonetheless result in significant and unavoidable impacts relating to Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, and Transportation (Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)); and WHEREAS, as required by State CEQA Guidelines section 15087(a), the City provided Notice of Availability of the Draft EIR to the public at the same time that the City sent Notice of Completion to the State Clearinghouse, on August 25, 2025; and WHEREAS, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15087(e), the Draft EIR was circulated for at least a 45- day public review and comment period from August 25, 2025 to October 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, during the public review and comment period, copies of the Draft EIR and technical appendices were available for review and inspection at City Hall, on the City’s website, and at the Laguna Niguel public library; and WHEREAS, during the public review and comment period, the City consulted with and requested comments from all responsible and trustee agencies, other regulatory agencies, and others pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15086; and WHEREAS, the City received 16 written comment letters on the Draft EIR; and WHEREAS, a Final EIR (“Final EIR”) was prepared and includes the Draft EIR, all technical reports prepared in connection with the Draft EIR, comments on the Draft EIR, responses to those comments, and all appropriate revisions to the Draft EIR; and WHEREAS, the “EIR” consists of the Final EIR and its attachments and appendices, as well as the Draft EIR and its attachments and appendices (as modified by the Final EIR); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21092.5 and the City’s CEQA Manual, the City provided copies of the Final EIR, including Responses to Comments to all commenting agencies and to all commentors, at least ten days prior to the November 13, 2025, City Council hearing; and
WHEREAS, all potentially significant adverse environmental impacts were sufficiently analyzed in the EIR; and

WHEREAS, all of the requirements of the Public Resources Code and the State CEQA Guidelines have been satisfied by the City in connection with the preparation of the EIR which is sufficiently detailed so that all of the potentially significant environmental effects of the Project have been adequately evaluated; and WHEREAS, all of the findings and conclusions made by the City Council pursuant to this Resolution are based upon the oral and written evidence presented to it as a whole and the entirety of the administrative record for the Project, which are incorporated herein by this reference, and not based solely on the information provided in this Resolution; and WHEREAS, the City finds that environmental impacts that are identified in the EIR as less than significant and do not require mitigation are described in Section II of the CEQA Findings of Fact, attached hereto as “Exhibit 1”; and WHEREAS, the City finds that environmental impacts that are identified in the EIR that are less than significant with incorporation of mitigation measures are described in Section III of Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that even with the incorporation of all feasible mitigation measures, the environmental impacts that are identified in the EIR that are significant and unavoidable are described in Section IV of Exhibit 1; and WHEREAS, the cumulative impacts of the Project identified in the EIR and set forth herein, are described in Section V of Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, the potential significant irreversible environmental changes that would result from the proposed Project identified in the EIR and set forth herein, are described in Section VI of Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, the existence of any growth- inducing impacts resulting from the proposed Project identified in the EIR and set forth herein, are described in Section VII of Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, alternatives to the proposed Project that might further reduce the already less than significant environmental impacts are described in Section VIII of Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, all the mitigation measures identified in the EIR and necessary to reduce the potentially significant impacts of the proposed Project to a level of less than significant are set forth in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) in Exhibit 5 to this Resolution, attached hereto and incorporated herein; and WHEREAS, on October 28, 2025 , the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the Project and accompanying EIR (SCH #2025050495) , at which time all persons wishing to testify were heard and the Project was fully considered and the Planning Commission took unanimous action (4- 0) to adopt Resolutions recommending that the City Council approve the Project and certify the project’s EIR (SCH #2025050495), make findings pursuant to CEQA, adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and WHEREAS, prior to taking action, the City has heard, been presented with, reviewed and considered all of the information and data in the administrative record, including but not limited to the EIR and all oral and written evidence presented to it during all meetings and hearings; and
WHEREAS, the EIR reflects the independent judgment of the City and is deemed adequate for purposes of making decisions on the merits of the Project; and WHEREAS, on November 13, 2025, the City Council conducted a duly -noticed public hearing on the EIR and Project, at which all persons wishing to testify were heard; and; and
WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council finds and determines as follows:

SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The City Council hereby finds, based on consideration of the whole record before it, including the City’s CEQA Guidelines, the EIR and testimony heard at the public hearing, as follows:

1. Review Period: The City provided a 45-day public review period for the Draft EIR; and

2. Compliance with Law : The EIR was prepared, processed, and noticed in accordance with CEQA (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.), the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations Section 15000 et seq.) and the City’s Local CEQA Guidelines.

3. Independent Judgment: The EIR reflects the City’s independent judgment and analysis; and

4. Certification of the EIR : This City Council has reviewed all documentation comprising the Final EIR and finds that (i) the Final EIR is adequate and complete and (ii) that no evidence of new significant impacts or any new information of “substantial importance”, as defined by State CEQA Guidelines section 15088.5, has been received by the City after circulation of the Draft EIR that would re quire recirculation of the EIR. The City Council does hereby certify said Final EIR based on the entirety of the record of proceedings.

5. CEQA Findings of Fact: The City Council does hereby adopt the findings described in Exhibit 1 (CEQA Findings of Fact) that were prepared in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines section 15091.; and

6. Mitigation Monitoring Program : The Draft EIR includes mitigation measures to reduce significant impacts of the Project. A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) has been prepared in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines section 15097. The MMRP identifies all required mitigation measures, the timing of implementation of each measure, and the responsible party for each measure.

The City Council does hereby adopt the MMRP , attached hereto as Exhibit 5, which specifies the measures to mitigate the environmental effects associated with the Project and the monitoring efforts needed to ensure that the measures are effectively implemented.

7. Statement of Overriding Considerations: The City Council does hereby adopt the Statement of Overriding Considerations that were prepared in accordance with the State CEQA Guidelines section 15093, included herein as Exhibit 1.

7. The City Council does hereby direct that a Notice of Determination be filed with the County Clerk in the County of Orange and the State Clearinghouse in accordance with CEQA Guidelines.

8. This Resolution becomes effective upon its adoption.

SECTION 3. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which this Resolution has been based are located at City Hall, Community Development Department, 30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. The custodian for these records is the City Clerk. This information is provided pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081.6.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 13
th day of November, 2025.

______________________________
Ray Gennawey, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________
Marissa J. Asistin, City Clerk

Exhibit(s):

1. Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations

2. Draft Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01

3. Final Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01

4. Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01 Appendices

Resolution No. 2025-1514
Exhibit 1
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations

Available online at
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64d1543dd8762a5a35997ab8/t/69090 b1872f4d717b861e79b/1762200344756/Laguna+Niguel+GPU_Findings+of+Fa ct+and+SOC.pdf or for in-person review at City Hall:

City of Laguna Niguel
Community Development Department
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949.362.4332

Printed copies are available upon request, standard copying fees apply.

Resolution No. 2025-1514
Exhibit 2
Draft EIR 24-01

Available online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sEF6aiFpS- JvcvJlop7y4TuCUu4wJD64/view?usp=sharing or for in-person review at City Hall:

City of Laguna Niguel
Community Development Department
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949.362.4332

Printed copies are available upon request, standard copying fees apply.

Resolution No. 2025-1514
Exhibit 3
Final EIR 24-01

Available online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqrQc71E1GU- fXuFZPGHIjXBlJcrLraR/view?usp=sharing or for in-person review at City Hall:

City of Laguna Niguel
Community Development Department
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949.362.4332

Printed copies are available upon request, standard copying fees apply.

Resolution No. 2025-1514
Exhibit 4
EIR 24-01 Appendices

Available online at the https://lagunaniguel.generalplan.org/documents-maps or for in-person review at City Hall:

City of Laguna Niguel
Community Development Department
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949.362.4332

Printed copies are available upon request, standard copying fees apply.

Attachment B
Resolution No. 2025-1515 (GPA 23-01 – Laguna Niguel General Plan Update)

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-1515

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA 23-01
(LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN UPDATE)

WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65300 requires the City of Laguna Niguel (“City”) to adopt and maintain a General Plan that contains certain elements, describes its long-term goals, and develop policies and programs to achieve those goals; and

WHEREAS, the City adopted its first General Plan in 1992 to guide the physical development of the City; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan has been periodically amended, including updates to the Housing Element as required by State law; and
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2023, the City Council approved a professional contract with DeNovo Planning Group to prepare a comprehensive update to the City’s General Plan (“General Plan Update”); and
WHEREAS, the City has sought to proactively engage the public in the update to the General Plan, including a citywide survey, virtual engagement, in-person community events and stakeholder meetings; and
WHEREAS, the Laguna Niguel General Plan Update would supersede the existing Laguna Niguel General Plan text and maps; and
WHEREAS, the existing Housing Element (2021 – 2029) adopted by the City Council on December 5, 2023 will remain in full force and effect following adoption of Laguna Niguel General Plan Update; and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2025, the Planning Commission of the City of Laguna Niguel held a duly noticed public hearing on General Plan Amendment GPA 23-01 for the Laguna Niguel General Plan Update and considered all evidence presented by City staff and other interested parties and made a recommendation to the City Council to approve General Plan Amendment GPA 23-01 as fully set forth in Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 25-07. The Planning Commission is an advisory body to the City Council with regard to the approval of General Plan Amendments; WHEREAS, a notice of public hearing describing the General Plan Update, the accompanying EIR, and the meeting’s date, time, and location, was advertised in the Orange County Register at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. A notice was also posted at City Hall and was made available on the City’s website. In addition, hearing notices were either emailed or mailed to all parties on the City’s Project interest list; and WHEREAS, on November 13, 2025, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on General Plan Amendment GPA 23-01 and considered all evidence presented by City staff and other interested parties regarding the amendment; and

Resolution No. 2025-1515 Page 2
GPA 23-01 (Laguna Niguel General Plan Update)

WHEREAS, Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01 (SCH No. 2025050495) was prepared and completed for the project pursuant to CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines, and the City’s CEQA Manual; and

WHEREAS, The City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in Environmental Impact Report EIR 24-01, including Appendices and Response to Comments; and received comments provided at the noticed public hearing; and pursuant to Resolution No. 2025 -1514 has certified Environmental Impact Report EIR 24 -01, adopted a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and made the required findings and adopted the statement of overriding considerations, prior to its adoption of this Resolution to approve General Plan Amendment GPA 23-01; and

WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council finds and determines as follows:

1. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update contains the State-mandated elements of:

Land Use, Open Space, Conservation, Safety, Noise and Circulation. As part of the General Plan Update, several elements have been consolidated and retitled to improve organization and clarity: Open Space and Conservation have been combined as Resource Management, Safety has been retitled Public Safety, and Circulation has been retitled Mobility. The General Plan Update also include two optional elements: Economic Development and Public Facilities and Services. The existing Housing Element remains in full effect, with no amendments or revisions, having been adopted by the City Council on December 5, 2023.

2. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update is in the public interest because it plans for future growth through orderly development, ensures adequate public services and facilities are available to the public, and supports fiscal sustainability by encouraging economic prosperity.

3. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update c ontains the diagrams, data, analysis, standards and policies required by State law and the degree of specificity and level of detail reflects local conditions and circumstances.

4. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update is internally consistent and would not be a detriment to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, and welfare of the City.

5. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update is designed to preserve and protect the City’s existing residential neighborhoods, support local businesses and industries, allow for the development of mixed-use centers where new housing opportunities can be located near desirable goods, services and jobs, expands the range of housing choices, promotes recreational amenities and the protection of natural open space areas, and creates a fiscally -sustainable land use plan with balanced residential and nonresidential development.

Resolution No. 2025-1515 Page 3
GPA 23-01 (Laguna Niguel General Plan Update)

6. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update includes a wide variety of goals, policies and implementing actions designed to enhance the public health, safety and welfare, including the Safety Element which addresses seismic and geologic hazards, fire safety, flooding, hazardous waste, emergency operations and noise.

7. The Laguna Niguel General Plan Update addresses the issue environmental sustainability and resiliency planning and contains numerous policies designed to reduce the impact of future development of climate change.

8. This Resolution becomes effective upon its adoption.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby approve General Plan Amendment GPA 23- 01, approving the Updated Laguna Niguel General Plan in Exhibit 1 to this Resolution, including the Laguna Niguel General Plan Existing Conditions Report in Exhibit 2 to this Resolution.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 13
th day of November, 2025.

______________________________
Ray Gennawey, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________
Marissa J. Asistin, City Clerk

Exhibit(s):

1. Laguna Niguel General Plan Update

2. Laguna Niguel General Plan – Existing Conditions Report Resolution No. 2025-1515
Exhibit 1
Updated Laguna Niguel General Plan

INTRODUCTION
i
DATE:

October 2025
PRODUCED BY:

De Novo Planning Group

GENERAL
PLAN
LAGUNA
NIGUEL

PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT
ii LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
City Council
Mayor Ray Gennawey
Mayor Pro Tem Gene Johns
Council Member Kelly Jennings
Council Member Stephanie Oddo
Council Member Stephanie Winstead
Executive Management Team
Tamara Letourneau, City Manager
Justin Martin, Assistant City Manager
Jonathan Orduna, Community Development Director
Jacki Scott, Public Works Director
Jonathon Harmon, Parks and Recreation Director
Trevor Agrelius, Finance Director
Isaac Flores, Chief of Police Services
Mike Summers, Fire Chief, Division 5
Planning Commission
Chair Kathleen Hayes
Vice Chair Brian Meihaus
Commissioner Roger Green
Commissioner Karen Ferlauto
Commissioner Robert Brown
Community Development Staff
John Morgan, Deputy Community Development
Director
Erica Roess, Senior Planner
Erich List, Senior Planner
Hannah Tamaddon, Management Analyst
Consultants
De Novo Planning Group (Lead Consultant)
Ardurra
Carlson Strategic Land Solutions
Cogstone Resource Management
Economic & Planning Systems
Fehr & Peers
Fuscoe Engineering
JZMK Partners
Kearns & West
Kosmont Companies
Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers
Mark Thomas
MD Acoustics
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ii LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
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INTRODUCTION
land use
mobility
resource management
public facilities & services
public safety
noise
economic development
01 21
71 109
125
139
161
171

CONTENTS
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
iv

INTRODUCTION
1 01

INTRODUCTION
[ this page intentionally blank ]

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
2 The area was originally inhabited by the
Acjachemen (Juaneño) people, who lived in
the region for thousands of years. The name
“Niguel” traces back to “Niguili,” a native village
once located near Aliso Creek. In the late 1700s,
Spanish missionaries established Mission San
Juan Capistrano, bringing the area under
mission control.

Following Mexico’s independence from Spain in
1821, the mission lands, including what is now
Laguna Niguel, were divided into private land
grants. In 1842, Rancho Niguel, encompassing
approximately 13,316 acres, was granted to Juan
Avila. For decades, the region’s rolling hills and
valleys supported cattle and sheep ranching.

In 1895, Lewis Moulton and Jean Pierre Daguerre
purchased Rancho Niguel and surrounding
properties, continuing and expanding the area’s
ranching legacy through the mid-1900s.

The modern development of Laguna Niguel
began in 1959, when Cabot, Cabot & Forbes
established the Laguna Niguel Corporation and
acquired approximately 7,200 acres from the
Daguerre family to develop one of California’s
first master-planned communities. To achieve
their vision, the firm retained Victor Gruen
and Associates to design a comprehensive
community plan.

The visionary plan incorporated principles
of neighborhood clustering, open space
preservation, and pedestrian connectivity in a
setting of rolling hills and coastal proximity in
south Orange County. This approach set the
foundation for the City’s long-term growth,
community character, and high quality of life
that residents continue to enjoy today.

Land sales began in 1961 in the Monarch Bay
and Laguna Terrace subdivisions. In 1971, the
AVCO Community Developers, Inc. acquired the
Laguna Niguel Corporation and moved forward
with development as originally envisioned.

During the early years of development, the
Laguna Niguel Homeowners Association, later to
become the Laguna Niguel Community Council,
served in an important advisory capacity to the
Orange County Board of Supervisors on land use
issues. In 1986, Laguna Niguel residents, looking
for local governance, took the first step toward
cityhood by forming a Community Services
Introduction
Laguna Niguel’s history is rooted in indigenous heritage, Mexican land grants, ranching traditions, and visionary urban planning, all of which have contributed to the City’s modern-day character and landscape.

INTRODUCTION

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
4 District. Three years later, on November 7, 1989,
89% of the voters favored incorporation and on
December 1, 1989, Laguna Niguel became the
29th city in Orange County.

The City adopted its first General Plan in 1992.

Except for the Housing and Land Use Elements,
most of the Elements have remained largely
unchanged since that original adoption.

The City’s General Plan Update supersedes
and replaces the 1992 General Plan. While the
update retains some of the overarching goals
and policy frameworks from the original plan, it
has been thoroughly revised to address current
local conditions and community priorities
and goals. The updated plan has also been
reorganized to enhance clarity and usability.

The update process included a two-phased
approach:
• Phase 1 (2021-2023): A baseline evaluation
of the 1992 General Plan and the preparation
of focused studies assessing traffic, market
trends, and fiscal conditions.
• Phase 2 (2023-2025): Analysis of existing
conditions not covered in Phase 1 (contained
within the Existing Conditions Report (ECR)),
community outreach and engagement,
development of the General Plan Update
itself, and the preparation of a Program
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and
associated technical documents evaluating
the potential environmental impacts of the
General Plan Update.

INTRODUCTION
5 Scope and Content of the General Plan
California law requires every city and county to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan to guide its physical development and to update it periodically. A general plan is a “constitution” or “blueprint” for the future physical and economic development of a city or county. All future planning decisions and project approvals must be consistent with the general plan, including but not limited to: area plans, specific plans, master plans, subdivisions, public works projects, public services, and zoning decisions.

State law (Government Code Section 65302) requires general plans to address specific Elements: Land Use, Mobility (Circulation), Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety1. In addition to these mandatory Elements, cities and counties may include optional Elements to address local priorities. Laguna Niguel has chosen to include Economic Development and Public Facilities and Services as optional Elements in its General Plan. The degree of specificity and level of detail of each element need only reflect local conditions and circumstances. All general plans must be consistent with the requirements of State law and address the relevant items addressed in Government Code Section 65300 and related statutes.

A general plan has four defining features:
• General. As the name implies, a general plan provides general guidance across several topical areas, such as land use, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, environmental sustainability, and resource management. • Comprehensive. A general plan addresses a wide range of topics, including the state-mandated Elements listed above.
• Long-Range. A general plan provides guidance on achieving a long-range vision of the future for a city or county. To reach this envisioned future, the general plan includes goals and policies that address both near-term and long-term objectives, guiding progress over a 20-year horizon or more. • Integrated and Coherent. A general plan provides a unified framework based on a consistent set of assumptions and projections to assess future community needs (e.g., housing, employment, public services, and infrastructure). This cohesive approach helps communicate the vision for the local jurisdiction to the community and provides landowners, businesses, and developers greater clarity and certainty about how planning decisions will be made and implemented.

The City’s General Plan provides a policy document with a 20-year horizon, outlining goals and policies to guide future decisions. It is supported by two key

1. The City of Laguna Niguel is not required to include an environmental justice element because there are no identified disadvantaged communities within the City, and the City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element was certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on February 22, 2024, and is provided under separate cover.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
6 documents: the ECR, which provides a foundation of current data and analysis, and the General Plan EIR, which assesses potential environmental effects of the updated plan. These documents are intended to be used in conjunction with this General Plan and to serve as companions to this policy document. The General Plan addresses all of the Elements required by State law and includes two optional Elements, Economic Development and Public Facilities and Services.

The table below identifies the Elements included in the General Plan and the corresponding requirement in State law.

STATE REQUIREMENTS

LAND USE

CIRCULATION

CONSERVATION

OPEN SPACE
NOISE
SAFETY

HOUSING

OPTIONAL TOPICS

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
Land Use
Mobility
Resource Management
Public Facilities and
Services
Public Safety
Noise
Economic Development
Housing (Separate Cover)
Table IN-1 Relationship Between General Plan Elements and State Requirements

INTRODUCTION
7 Community Engagement
Community outreach and engagement played a significant role in shaping the vision, goals, and policies of the General Plan. This involved a transparent, inclusive, and engaging process designed to encourage public participation. The engagement strategy implemented a multipronged approach to allow community members varied opportunities to participate through surveys, online platforms, and in-person options. Through these efforts, the City connected with thousands of Laguna Niguel residents, business owners, and other stakeholders.

This section summarizes how the General Plan Update process was promoted and publicized, the ways in which the community participated, and the resulting community vision statement shaped by the feedback received.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
8 Outreach and Promotion
Opportunities for the Laguna Niguel community
to participate in and learn more about the
General Plan Update were promoted through a
variety of outreach strategies, including:
• Direct mailer survey sent to all residential
addresses in Laguna Niguel
• Social media advertisements on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram
• Advertisements on the City website
• Dedicated General Plan Update website
• Video advertisement shown as a movie
trailer at the Regency Theatres Directors Cut
Cinema (November 20, 2023 - December 20,
2023)
• Advertisement in the Winter Recreation
Brochure
• Advertisement in the Homeowners
Association Newsletter
• Open House flyers at City Facilities
• Advertisement in the Economic Development
eNewsletter
Citywide Survey
In October 2023, the City mailed a combined
Strategic Plan Update and General Plan Update
survey to all Laguna Niguel residents to gather
community input. The mailer included a cover
letter from the Mayor outlining the purpose of the
survey and provided information on the General
Plan Update website and upcoming Open House
event. Survey questions asked for residents’
thoughts on topics such as opportunities,
challenges, goals, values, and overall quality
of life in Laguna Niguel. In addition, residents
were asked about development priorities and
accessibility in taking transit, walking, or biking.

Virtual Engagement
A dedicated General Plan Update website
was launched at the beginning of the project.

The website provided a one-stop shop for
community members to access information
about the update, learn about opportunities for
public participation, and contact information
for comments and/or questions. The website
included:
• A project overview
• A General Plan Update video
• Translation options
• Frequently Asked Questions
• A document and map library
• Calendar of events
• Contact information

INTRODUCTION
9 In-Person Events
To raise public awareness and encourage
community input, beginning in Summer 2023
through Winter 2024, the project team and City
staff hosted a series of in-person engagement
events, as summarized below.

Pop-Up Events
Six pop-up events (listed below) were held
throughout the City to provide information
about the General Plan Update and hear directly
from the community. Participants were invited
to share what they love about Laguna Niguel,
their vision for the City’s future, and challenges
they believe the community may face over the
next 20 years. More than 1,100 visitors stopped by
one or more of the pop-up events.
• Sea Country Festival: August 25-27, 2023
• Summer Concert: September 22, 2023
• Laguna Niguel Girls Softball (LNGS) at Niguel
Hills Middle School: October 15, 2023
• Laguna Niguel Youth Soccer League (AYSO)
at Chapparosa Park: November 4, 2023
• Tree Lighting at City Hall: December 2, 2023
• Holiday Parade: December 9, 2023
Open House
On October 18, 2023, the City hosted a
communitywide Open House at City Hall to
help inform the public about the General Plan
Update and solicit feedback on key topic areas,
including short- and long-term strategic
planning, land use/development, and mobility
priorities. More than 70 participants attended
the event.

To facilitate community input, the Open House
featured a series of interactive stations staffed
by the project team and City staff:
• Strategic Planning Station: Attendees
shared their input on key community assets,
priorities, and potential challenges
• Land Use/Development Station:

Participants reviewed maps of four
opportunity areas (The Marketplace, Town
Center, Gateway Specific Plan, and the Chet
Holifield Federal Building) and were asked to
identify the types of uses, such as shopping/
dining, housing, employment/jobs, public
spaces, mixed-use development, or other,
they would like to see there in the future.
• Mobility Station: Attendees were given
five coins to spend across seven mobility
improvements, allowing them to prioritize
their transportation preferences for the City.
• Support Stations: Additional stations
allowed participants to complete a survey,
view and comment on specific areas of the
City on a large interactive map, and speak
directly to City staff regarding key questions
and ideas.

Stakeholder Group Meetings
In addition to engaging the broader community,
the project team and City staff provided
updates and sought feedback from several City
elected and appointed bodies and stakeholder
groups, including:
• Laguna Niguel City Council
• Laguna Niguel City Commissions (Planning
Commission, Planning, Traffic and
Transportation, Parks and Recreation)
• Laguna Niguel Youth Committee
• Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce
• Other general stakeholder meetings

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
10 Development of a Community Vision Statement
Based on the extensive public input received, a Community Vision Statement was prepared to serve as the foundation for the General Plan. The Vision Statement and associated Guiding Principles, presented in full on the following pages, was reviewed by the Laguna Niguel City Council on June 25, 2024.

Laguna Niguel General Plan
Community Vision Statement
Accepted by the City Council | June 25, 2024
11INTRODUCTION
The Community Vision is a statement which describes the City of Laguna Niguel now and in the future.

Laguna Niguel is a visually stunning and welcoming Sea Country community recognized for its lush greenery, proximity to the Pacific Ocean, vast open spaces, safe neighborhoods, and fiscal responsibility.

Our park and trail system, variety of recreational programs, restaurants, shopping, school options, location, and climate make Laguna Niguel stand out in South County as a highly desirable place to live, do business, and visit. We have a strong and resilient economy supported by thriving businesses that meet the various needs of our residents. As a defining characteristic of this premiere master planned community, our established residential neighborhoods are valued, preserved, and protected. To promote multi-generational growth and vitality, key opportunity areas throughout the City accommodate a dynamic blend of appealing commercial spaces, entertainment options, and complementary residential offerings. A well-connected mobility network allows people of all ages and abilities to get around the community safely and efficiently using a variety of transportation options, including walking, cycling, driving, and taking transit.

We are committed to preserving and enhancing our natural and open space resources, providing well-maintained infrastructure, promoting community collaboration, and valuing innovation. Using a strategic planning mindset, we are prepared to successfully address any future opportunity or challenge the City may face over time.

The Community Vision is supported by the following
Guiding Principles:
» Thriving community
» Strong and resilient economy
» Environmental stewardship
» Connecting people and places
» Innovation for a better future
Laguna Niguel General Plan
Community Vision
12 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Thriving Community
A thriving community where plentiful park
and recreation options intertwine with
engaging community events, fostering
a deep sense of pride and connection
among residents. Safe, clean, and quiet
neighborhoods provide a serene backdrop,
enhanced by thoughtful community
aesthetics and design that reflect the area’s
character . Strategic integration of mixed-
use development transforms opportunity
areas into bustling hubs of activity. An
informed community that flourishes on
open communication and participation,
creates space for all voices to be heard.

Abundant activities for residents of all ages
create a dynamic environment where every
generation finds joy and purpose. In Laguna
Niguel, every day brings new possibilities for
connection and growth.
13INTRODUCTION
Strong & Resilient Economy
A strong and resilient economy where a
diverse range of commercial settings and
activities caters to the local community’s
needs and fosters an adaptable and
responsive local job market. High-skill,
high-wage jobs attract top talent and drive
innovation, while fiscal responsibility and
prudency underpin sustainable growth. A
thoughtful mix of land uses accommodates
a variety of needs, from commercial to
residential, enhancing the community’s
functionality and appeal. Housing choices
attainable for Laguna Niguel’s next
generation, community service providers and
professionals, and also transitioning seniors,
provide welcoming homes where everyone
can thrive. This is a city where economic
vitality and inclusive growth go hand in hand,
building a prosperous future accessible to
every member of the community.
14 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Stewardship
A community deeply committed to
environmental stewardship, where
picturesque tree-lined streets, lush medians,
and well-maintained public and private
landscaping foster a harmonious blend of
nature and suburban life. Through mindful
conservation efforts, both natural and
man-made resources are safeguarded for
future generations, advancing sustainability
and resilience. Green spaces highlight the
landscape, providing not only aesthetic
beauty but also sanctuaries for wildlife and
places for residents to connect with nature.

Scenic resources and panoramic views are
cherished treasures, celebrated for their
beauty and inspiration. With its rolling
hillsides, majestic crests and ridgelines,
tranquil valleys, and meandering canyons,
the natural topography is embraced and
protected as part of the community’s unique
identity. Laguna Niguel sustains a nurturing
environment where nature and development
coexist harmoniously.
15INTRODUCTION
Connecting People & Places
Seamlessly connecting people and places,
transportation networks and public spaces
weave a lively and accessible tapestry of
activity. Mobility is paramount, but it’s not
just about getting from point A to point B;
it’s about enriching the journey itself. From
the hills to the sea, every voyage through
the community is a safe and enjoyable
experience. Active transportation initiatives,
such as promoting cycling and walking,
and developing well-designed bike lanes
and pedestrian paths, foster a culture of
health and sustainability, while also reducing
congestion and pollution. Smart traffic
management systems optimize movement,
promoting efficient flow and minimizing
delays. Community-building events and
activities transform public spaces into
bustling centers of interaction, further
weaving the fabric of social cohesion.

Recognizing the profound impact of public
spaces on community well-being, every
plaza, park, and gathering spot becomes a
catalyst for connection. This is a city where
every path leads not just to a destination,
but to a deeper sense of unity and belonging
among its residents.
16 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Innovation for a Better Future
Innovation fuels progress, propelling Laguna
Niguel towards a brighter tomorrow.

Meticulously maintained and continually
updated infrastructure forms the backbone
of connectivity, laying the foundation for
transformative change. By embracing new
technologies, we enhance public services,
making them more efficient, accessible, and
responsive to the needs of our community
members. Emerging businesses, fueled
by entrepreneurial spirit and visionary
thinking, breathe new life into the local
economy, fostering growth and prosperity.

Guided by strategic planning, we navigate
the complexities of our evolving city with
foresight and determination, seeing to it
that every step forward brings us closer to
realizing our collective potential. In Laguna
Niguel innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s
a guiding principle, shaping a better, more
sustainable future for all.

INTRODUCTION
17 Applying the General Plan
The General Plan is intended for use by City decision-makers, staff, developers, and community members to:
• Define goals and polices for land use, growth, transportation, environmental sustainability, economic development, and community services and facilities; • Establish long-range conservation and growth goals and policies; • Guide both public and private improvements to the City’s infrastructure and transportation networks;
• Inform the City’s Capital Improvement Program for projects related to transportation, parks, open space, and community facilities;
• Provide a basis for evaluating whether development proposals and public projects align with the City’s goals and policies; and,
• Serve as a communication tool for Laguna Niguel’s vision, goals, and policies over the next 20 years.

The General Plan applies to all land within the City’s incorporated boundaries. Under State law, development projects, specific plans, zoning, subdivisions, and public agency projects must be consistent with the General Plan.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
18 Interpreting the General Plan
In reading the General Plan, it should be
inferred that the goals and policies are limited
to the extent that it is financially feasible and
appropriate for the City to carry the goals and
policies out and to the extent legally permitted
by law. For example, policies and measures
which indicate that the City will “provide,”
“support,” “ensure,” or otherwise require
or carry out do not indicate an irreversible
commitment of City funds or staff resources
to those activities, but rather, that the City
will support the goals and policies when the
City deems that it is financially feasible and
appropriate to do so. In some cases, the City
will carry out various policies and measures
by requiring development, infrastructure, and
other projects to be consistent with the policies
and actions of the General Plan. In other cases,
the City may include General Plan items in the
Capital Improvement Program, annual budget,
or other implementation mechanisms, as the
City deems appropriate.

How to Read Laguna Niguel’s
General Plan
As the roadmap for future development
and desired conditions, the General Plan is
designed to be accessible to the general public,
including residents, business owners, and
the development community. Each element
contains a brief introduction, a set of goals, and
supporting policies aligned with the City’s long-
term vision.

A “goal” is a broad, aspirational statement of
community values. It is a generalized ideal
which provides a sense of direction for action.

A “policy” is a statement that provides more
specific guidance to help achieve these goals.

Policies inform City decisions but are not
decisions themselves. While policies must be
clear to be useful, they may range in terms of
commitment of resources, importance, and
anticipated outcomes. Recognizing these
distinctions will help readers interpret the
General Plan more effectively.

Policies contained within the General
Plan that incorporate sustainable
principles and practices are marked
with a leaf symbol.

INTRODUCTION
19 Amending the General Plan
The General Plan is intended to be a dynamic
and evolving document that is responsive to
the City’s changing needs. It is based on an
on-going assessment of current conditions
and future projections. City decision-makers
are afforded broad discretion in interpreting the
General Plan and its purposes and are allowed
to weigh and balance its various goals and
policies when applying them.

Recognizing the need for a general plan
to remain relevant and responsive to local
priorities, State law allows periodic amendments.

These updates help maintain alignment with
the community’s values, expectations, and
evolving conditions. While specific findings
may be applied on a case-by-case basis, the
following minimum findings are required for any
proposed amendment to a general plan:
• The amendment is deemed to be in the
public interest;
• The amendment is consistent and/or
compatible with the rest of the General Plan;
• The potential impacts of the amendment
have been assessed and have been
determined not to be detrimental to the
public health, safety, or welfare; and
• The amendment has been processed in
accordance with the applicable provisions
of the California Government Code, the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
and the City’s Municipal Code.

Amendments initiated by the City or proposed
by other public agencies are subject to the
same process described above to ensure
consistency and compatibility with the General
Plan. This includes appropriate environmental
review, public notice, and public hearings, and
formal action by the City Council.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
20 Timing
Under State law, the mandatory Elements of the
General Plan may be amended up to four times
per calendar year. State law further requires
that the Housing Element must be reviewed and
updated at least once every eight years.

Exemptions
Recognizing that occasions arise which require
some flexibility, California Government Code
Section 65358, allows certain amendments
to be exempt from the four times per-year
limitation. These exemptions include:
• Amendments to optional Elements.
• Amendments requested and necessary for
affordable housing (Section 65358(c)).
• Amendments necessary to comply with a
court decision in a case involving the legal
adequacy of the General Plan (Section
65358(d)(1)).
• Amendments to ensure compliance with an
airport land use plan (Section 65302.3).

Annual Reporting
Given the long-term nature of the General
Plan, it is essential to periodically evaluate
its effectiveness and track implementation
of its policies. State law provides direction
on maintaining the General Plan as a useful
policy guide and requires the City to annually
report “the status of the plan and progress in its
implementation” to the City Council (California
Government Code Section 65400(b)).

LAND USE
21 02

LAND USE

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
22 [ this page intentionally blank ]

LAND USE
23 By outlining a long-term vision of the City
through the General Plan horizon year (2045),
the Land Use Element seeks to ensure thoughtful
land use planning and community design
that foster vibrant, well-connected places
while preserving neighborhood character and
ensuring compatibility with Laguna Niguel’s
distinctive identity. The Land Use Element
supports the community’s vision of a thriving
community and resilient local economy,
providing a dynamic land use strategy that
reflects the needs of residents, catalyzes
targeted growth areas throughout the City,
and accommodates a blend of appealing
commercial spaces, entertainment options,
and complementary residential offerings.

This Land Use Element includes all information
required by state law, including California
Government Code Section 65302(a), to the
extent that these topics exist in Laguna Niguel,
except that areas subject to flooding are
addressed in the Public Safety Element. The Land
Use Element consists of narrative text, goals and
policies, a Land Use Map, and other supporting
figures. It also includes land use designations
that describe the uses shown on the Land Use
Map and sets General Plan buildout limits for
residential and non-residential development.

These components work in tandem and serve
as a key resource for City decision-makers and
the public, offering guidance on the types and
intensities of development permissible in various
parts of the City. For effective implementation,
the text, data tables, and maps should be
reviewed collectively when evaluating project
approvals or considering future amendments.

Organization of Element
The Land Use Element goals and policies
address each of the following topics as they
relate to Laguna Niguel:
• Land Use Planning
• Community Design and Placemaking
• Opportunity Areas
• Neighborhood Preservation
Introduction
The Land Use Element serves as a comprehensive blueprint for the physical development of Laguna Niguel. It establishes a framework for the location, character, and intensity of both existing development and future strategic growth, shaping where people live, work, play, and shop.

LAND USE
24 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Background
Laguna Niguel consists of approximately 9,500 acres, or 14.7 square miles, and is located in south Orange County near the Pacific Ocean. The City is bounded by the cities of Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, and Laguna Beach. Regional access to the City is mainly provided by Interstate 5 (I-5 Freeway), the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor (State Route 73), and Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1).

Developed Land Area
Most of Laguna Niguel’s existing development occurred between the 1960s and early 2000s. Table LU-1 summarizes the land uses in the City’s existing built environment.

Land Use Type Acres Percent of Total Acres
Single Family Residential 2,793.98 29.5%
Multi-Family Residential 704.80 7.4%
Commercial 475.72 5.0%
Industrial 61.07 0.6%
Public and Institutional 175.91 1.9%
Parks and Open Space1 3,595.81 38.0%
Right-of-Way2 1,656.46 17.5%
Total 9,463.77 100%
Table LU-1 Existing Built Environment

1. Parks and Open Space includes El Niguel Golf Course and residential common open space areas.

2. Right-of-Way includes major streets, rights-of-way, and other remaining land in the City. 25LAND USE
Residential Characteristics
The majority of the City’s developed land
consists of detached single-family homes,
although townhomes, condominiums, and
apartments also play an important role in
the City’s housing inventory. Residential uses
account for 37% of the City’s total land area, with
single-family detached homes representing
approximately 80% of that share. Most of the
residential neighborhoods are concentrated
in well-defined areas linked together by parks,
greenbelts, and landscape-lined streets. As
of January 1, 2025, the City contains a total of
approximately 27,660 residential units.

Non-Residential Characteristics
The City features over 5.7 million square feet of
commercial uses including a mix of restaurant,
retail, service, office, and light industrial uses
which collectively represent approximately 6%
of the total land area. Laguna Niguel currently
lacks a traditional “downtown” district. Instead,
commercial uses are concentrated along major
arterial roads such as Crown Valley Parkway,
Golden Lantern, Alicia Parkway, and La Paz Road,
as well as within the Gateway Specific Plan area
near the I-5 Freeway. Smaller neighborhood-
serving centers are also interspersed throughout
the City.

Open Space and Parks
A defining characteristic of Laguna Niguel is its
dedicated open space and park areas, which
make up 38% of the City’s land area (3,595.81
acres). This extensive network of open space
corridors, local parks, trails, and regional parks,
such as Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness
Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, and Salt
Creek Corridor Regional Park, offer abundant
opportunities for outdoor recreational
enjoyment and environmental conservation.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
26 Balancing Preservation and Targeted Growth
Community Profile and
Sub-profile Areas
Consistent with the 1992 General Plan, the Land
Use Element separates Laguna Niguel into 14
Community Profile Areas, as shown in Figure
LU-1. The delineation of the 14 Community Profile
Areas was based upon factors such as land use
type, planning area boundaries, major street
boundaries, natural features, homeowners’
association boundaries, and the Orange County
Transportation Authority (OCTA) Traffic Analysis
Zones (TAZ) regional transportation modeling
system.

The 14 Community Profile Areas and their
respective Sub-profile Areas (Figures 2.1
through 2.14) establish the baseline General
Plan buildout limits, hereafter referred to as
Maximum Development Intensities (MDIs). As
detailed in Tables LU-2 through LU-15, MDIs
are provided by Sub-profile Area, categorizing
residential development by type (maximum
detached or attached dwelling units) and
maximum density, as well as commercial
development by maximum square footage
and maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Additional
land use specific MDIs are also provided for
public institutional, hospitality, and managed
care uses. The Community Profile Area totals
are for statistical purposes only. MDIs may not
be transferred between Sub-profile Areas.

It is important to note that beyond MDIs, various
factors influence parcel development. These
include, but are not limited to, a parcel’s physical
characteristics, compatibility with surrounding
uses, market conditions, infrastructure and
access constraints, and historical development
trends.

Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 426,000 41.24 0.24
B 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 335,921 31.10 0.25
C 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 1,050,580 88.28 0.27
D 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 491,570 15.03 0.75
E 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 161,261 12.83 0.29
F 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 228,341 12.52 0.42
G 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 133,690 14.56 0.21
H 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
I 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 350,626 39.42 0.20
Totals 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 3,177,989 254.98 0.29
Table LU-2 Community Profile Area 1
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile 1C: Chet Holifield Federal Building Mechanical Equipment

LAND USE
27 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 392 19.02 20.61 0 0.00 0.00
B 0 0.00 372 15.19 24.49 0 0.00 0.00
C 0 0.00 243 12.24 19.85 0 0.00 0.00
D 0 0.00 311 29.88 10.41 22,506 3.97 0.13
E 327 37.68 185 15.30 9.66 0 0.00 0.00
F 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
G 113 9.92 0 0.00 11.39 0 0.00 0.00
H 939 119.55 0 0.00 7.85 0 0.00 0.00
I 110 16.44 0 0.00 6.69 0 0.00 0.00
J 303 30.93 0 0.00 9.80 0 0.00 0.00
K 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 34,985 3.78 0.21
Totals 1,792 214.52 1,503 91.63 10.76 57,491 7.75 0.17
Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 489,111 34.24 0.32
B 320 54.68 0 0.00 5.85 0 0.00 0.00
C 539 118.50 192 29.11 4.95 0 0.00 0.00
D 0 0.00 264 21.87 12.07 0 0.00 0.00
E 174 37.06 30 2.45 5.16 0 0.00 0.00
F 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 24,467 3.19 0.18
Totals 1,033 210.24 486 53.43 5.76 513,578 38.43 0.31
Table LU-3 Community Profile Area 2
Table LU-4 Community Profile Area 3
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile D: Up to 1,440 sf OCFA Fire Station #39; up to 10,111 sf Chabad Jewish Center Sub-profile E: Up to 21,000 sf AT&T Substation; Laguna Niguel Elementary School Capacity – up to 546 students Sub-profile F: Up to 21,060 sf Sea Country Senior & Community Center Sub-profile H: MNWD Water Storage Tank
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses Sub-profile A: MNWD Water Storage Tank; Niguel Hills Middle School Capacity – up to 1,499 students

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
28 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 76,480 3.10 0.57
B 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 323,200 19.65 0.38
C 0 0.00 220 36.02 6.11 121,968 * 0.08
D 0 0.00 709 9.87 71.83 0 0.00 0.00
E 0 0.00 1,118 18.48 60.50 126,463 * 0.00
F 0 0.00 142 2.14 66.36 173,900 5.24 0.76
G 0 0.00 142 15.28 9.29 247,639 * 0.37
H 0 0.00 663 38.53 17.21 404,400 * 0.24
I 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 138,740 16.90 0.19
J 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 141,860 25.81 0.13
K 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 58,150 3.07 0.43
Totals 0 0.00 2,994 120.32 24.88 1,812,800 73.78 0.56
Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 423 19.98 21.17 0 0.00 0.00
B 0 0.00 1,090 56.97 19.13 0 0.00 0.00
C 233 31.87 0 0.00 7.31 17,082 1.70 0.23
D 151 13.25 92 0.00 18.34 0 0.00 0.00
E 0 0.00 176 15.80 11.14 0 0.00 0.00
F 488 55.42 0 0.00 8.81 12,100 1.80 0.15
G 210 27.89 0 0.00 7.53 0 0.00 0.00
H 280 49.54 29 1.32 6.08 0 0.00 0.00
Totals 1,362 177.97 1,810 94.07 11.66 29,182 3.50 0.19
Table LU-5 Community Profile Area 4
Table LU-6 Community Profile Area 5
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile B: SDGE Substation
Sub-profile D: Watermark Laguna Niguel Managed Care Facility – up to 110 units Sub-profile H: Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Transit Station; up to 200-room hotel Sub-profile K: Up to 150 hotel rooms, including 33-room existing hotel *Acreage is recorded under “Residential Attached”; commercial uses are allowed and the FAR is calculated based on the “Residential Attached” acreage identified Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile C: Up to 27,662 sf Mission Lutheran Church
Sub-profile F: Marian Bergeson Elementary School Capacity – up to 698 students Sub-profile H: SDG&E Metering Station

LAND USE
29 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
B 629 120.02 0 0.00 5.24 0 0.00 0.00
C 94 5.28 0 0.00 17.80 0 0.00 0.00
D 200 23.70 0 0.00 8.44 0 0.00 0.00
E 0 0.00 77 15.97 4.82 0 0.00 0.00
F 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
G 204 46.25 0 0.00 4.41 0 0.00 0.00
Totals 1,127 195.25 77 15.97 5.70 0 0.00 0.00
Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 186 33.38 0 0.00 5.57 0 0.00 0.00
B 322 48.71 48 4.75 6.92 0 0.00 0.00
C 0 0.00 358 35.16 10.18 0 0.00 0.00
D 0 0.00 416 29.88 13.92 0 0.00 0.00
E 374 67.54 170 0.00 8.05 0 0.00 0.00
F 126 18.30 0 0.00 6.89 0 0.00 0.00
Totals 1,008 167.93 992 69.80 8.41 0 0.00 0.00
Table LU-7 Community Profile Area 6
Table LU-8 Community Profile Area 7
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: MNWD Regional Sewage Treatment Plant
Sub-profile F: Up to 48,000 sf Crown Valley Park - Community Center; up to 30,460 sf Crown Valley Park - YMCA Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: Up to 27,600 sf Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sub-profile E: Up to 24,388 sf Laguna Niguel Seventh-Day Adventist Church Sub-profile F: Moulton Elementary School Capacity – up to 788 students

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
30 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 255 17.02 14.98 0 0.00 0.00
B 138 21.43 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
C 150 39.57 0 0.00 3.79 0 0.00 0.00
D 11 2.66 165 8.04 16.45 0 0.00 0.00
E 441 67.71 0 0.00 6.51 0 0.00 0.00
F 40 7.36 389 31.11 11.15 0 0.00 0.00
G 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
Totals 780 138.73 809 56.17 8.15 0 0 0.00
Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 263 72.29 130 9.18 4.82 0 0.00 0.00
B 30 7.96 0 0.00 3.77 0 0.00 0.00
C 251 61.06 0 0.00 4.11 0 0.00 0.00
D 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 18,144 2.95 0.14
E 66 10.55 319 30.48 9.38 0 0.00 0.00
F 311 63.26 0 0.00 4.92 0 0.07 0.00
G 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 51,587 9.90 0.12
Totals 921 215.11 449 39.66 5.38 69,731 12.92 0.12
Table LU-9 Community Profile Area 8
Table LU-10 Community Profile Area 9
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: MNWD Storage Tank
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: Crestavilla Managed Care Facility – up to 224 units Sub-profile B: Includes portions of the 18-hole El Niguel Country Club Sub-profile E: Includes portions of the 18-hole El Niguel Country Club Sub-profile E: Includes portions of the El Niguel Racquet Club

LAND USE
31 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 910 212.54 34 2.20 4.44 0 0.00 0.00
B 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 45,562 6.97 0.15
C 120 16.97 176 10.17 10.90 0 0.00 0.00
D 751 92.23 0 0.00 8.14 0 0.00 0.00
E 316 71.24 0 0.00 4.44 0 0.00 0.00
F 90 7.46 189 10.78 15.29 0 0.00 0.00
G 0 0.00 344 18.16 18.95 0 0.00 0.00
Totals 2,187 400.45 743 41.31 6.63 45,562 6.97 0.15
Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 1,287 51.42 25.03 0 0.00 0.00
B 200 40.99 128 18.07 5.55 0 0.00 0.00
C 617 141.19 144 65.13 3.69 0 0.00 0.00
D 0 0.00 192 8.97 21.40 166,992 15.22 0.25
E 30 10.75 950 52.46 15.50 0 0.00 0.00
F 206 48.05 0 0.00 4.29 0 0.00 0.00
G 707 93.76 647 13.15 12.66 0 0.00 0.00
H 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
I 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 11,607 1.70 0.16
Totals 1,760 334.73 3,348 209.20 9.39 178,599 16.92 0.24 Table LU-11 Community Profile Area 10
Table LU-12 Community Profile Area 11
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: Up to 42,270 sf Saint Timothy’s Church; up to 11,312 sf Grace Church; Crown Valley Elementary School Capacity - up to 1,288 students (leased by Community Roots Academy Charter School; OCASA Charter School); Griffin Managed Care Facility - up to 108 units; Childcare Preschool – up to 72 students Sub-profile B: Up to 8,286 sf Christian Science Church & Reading Room; McDowell Elementary Private School Capacity – up to 90 students Sub-profile G: Hidden Hills Elementary School Capacity – up to 607 students Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile E: Up to 10,000 sf OCFA Fire Station #49; George White Elementary School Capacity – up to 728 students Sub-profile H: MNWD Water Storage Tank

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
32 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 135 207.96 0 0.00 0.65 0 0.00 0.00
B 54 7.01 114 8.20 11.05 0 0.00 0.00
C 266 45.89 0 0.00 5.80 0 0.00 0.00
D 412 116.32 0 0.00 3.54 0 0.00 0.00
E 574 107.16 290 41.43 5.81 0 0.00 0.00
F 36 5.54 136 0.00 31.07 0 0.00 0.00
G 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00
H 317 47.21 105 10.57 7.30 0 0.00 0.00
I 0 0.00 371 34.04 10.90 0 0.00 0.00
J 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 205,620 17.13 0.28
Totals 1,794 537.08 1,016 94.24 4.45 205,620 17.13 0.28 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 172 47.82 253 33.84 5.20 0 0.00 0.00
B 114 14.34 626 73.99 8.38 0 0.00 0.00
C 192 35.04 0 0.00 5.48 0 0.00 0.00
D 1 4.50 0 0.00 0.22 0 0.00 0.00
Totals 479 101.70 879 107.83 6.48 0 0.00 0.00
Table LU-13 Community Profile Area 12
Table LU-14 Community Profile Area 13
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile F: Malcolm Elementary School Capacity – up to 728 students Sub-profile G: Aegis Managed Care Facility – up to 78 units Sub-profile I: Electrical Substation; Saint Anne’s Catholic Private School Capacity – up to 790 students, including 104 preschool students Sub-profile J: The Hospitality Overlay facilitates the potential development of a high-quality hotel at Ocean Ranch Village, subject to a General Plan Amendment (including update of the Sub-profile MDI), a Zone Change, and a Specific Plan Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: MNWD Storage Tank
Sub-profile B: MNWD Storage Tanks (2)
Sub-profile D: The Hospitality Overlay facilitates the potential development of up to a 120-room high- quality hotel, subject to a General Plan Amendment, a Zone Change, and a Specific Plan

LAND USE
33 Subprofile
Maximum Development Intensities
Residential
Detached
Units
Acreage
Residential
Attached
Units
Acreage Density Commercial
SF Acreage FAR
A 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 296,430 29.10 0.23
B 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 164,727 20.57 0.18
C 0 0.00 275 * 9.73 160,590 28.27 0.00
D 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 92,596 11.60 0.18
Totals 0 0.00 275 0.00 9.73 714,343 89.54 0.18
Table LU-15 Community Profile Area 14
Maximum Development Intensities for Public Institutional, Hospitality, & Managed Care Land Uses:

Sub-profile A: Up to 14,400 sf South County Post Office; up to 38,814 sf Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church Sub-profile C: Up to 41,000 sf Laguna Niguel City Hall; up to 16,300 sf Laguna Niguel Library; up to 7,555 sf OCFA Fire Station #5 *Acreage is recorded under “Commercial Square Footage,” which includes City Hall (4.15 acres) and OCFA Fire Station #5 Opportunity Areas and Overlays
Laguna Niguel is predominantly built-out, with
limited vacant developable land remaining,
which primarily focuses future growth through
the redevelopment of certain areas of the City.

The Land Use Element emphasizes preserving
Laguna Niguel’s established neighborhoods
while accommodating the residual baseline
growth permitted in accordance with Sub-
profile Area MDIs. Additionally, three “Opportunity
Areas” (Figure LU-4) are targeted for
considerable growth through the establishment
of area-specific overlays. These “Opportunity
Area Overlays,” which may be applied through
separate legislative action, provide a pathway
for potential redevelopment flexibility in
exceedance of applicable MDIs. As envisioned,
such redevelopment would address evolving
community priorities, market dynamics, and
demographic changes. Geographically, the
noted Opportunity Areas are similar to those
designated in the 1992 General Plan with a few
exceptions.
1 Hospitality Overlay
The Hospitality Overlay encourages the
development of high-quality hotels in key
areas of the City. The Hospitality Overlay
supports economic growth goals by supporting
development that would generate increased tax
revenues (e.g., transient occupancy, property,
and sales taxes from guest spending) and serve
as a draw for tourists, business travelers, and
attendees for regional youth sporting events,
elevating Laguna Niguel’s profile as a desirable
destination.

1. As part of the 2025 comprehensive General Plan update, the Opportunity Area for Community Profile Area No. 1 was reduced in geographic area and bifurcated. This adjustment is an outgrowth of the development that has occurred since 1992 and the unique development potential for two distinct sites, The Marketplace at Laguna Niguel and Chet Holifield Federal Building site. Additionally, adoption of the Laguna Niguel Gateway Specific Plan and subsequent redevelopment rendered the Opportunity Area designation for Community Profile Area No. 4 unnecessary. Lastly, the Opportunity Area for Community Profile Area No. 14 remains largely intact, except for the exclusion of Sub-Profile Area C where application of the Civic Center land use designation sufficiently defines the land use plan.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
34 Mo
ultonPkw
y
Nig
uelRd
C
ro
w
n Valle
y
Pk
w
y
Crow
n
ValleyPkwyA
licia Pk
w
y
Ca
mino Del Avi
on
G
olden
Lantern
Aliso Creek Rd
Marina
Hills
Dr
Pase
oDe
Colinas
Pacifi c Park Dr
C
abo
tRd
La
Paz Rd
NiguelR
d
Camino
C
apist
rano
High
lands
Ave
N
iguel Rd
Casal
ero
D
r
Bear
BrandRd
Flyi
ng
Cloud
D
r
Ridge
wayAve
Kensington D
r
M
arse
ille
Kite H
illDr
HugoRd
Clubhous
e
Dr
Vista Mon
tem
ar
Los
Serr
anosD
r
Beaco n H
illW
ay
Fairlane
Rd
M
allor
ca
Isle
Vis
Seaglen
Ni
guel Ranch
D
r
El S
ur
Tam
ar
ron
O
ldRanch
R
d
Kil
lini
Ja
eger
Dr
HiddenHills Rd
Hill h urst D r
Ad
elanto Dr
Sea
n
Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
E
N
in
e
D
r
El Lazo Rd
P
ien za
N
uevaVista Dr
Avi la Rd
Aliso
Niguel
Cl
ubhouseD
r
Ivy
Glenn
Dr
Sou
th
Pea
k
La P
lata Dr
Pac
ifi
c I
sla
nd
Dr

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions Community Profile Areas
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
Figure LU-1 Community Profile Areas

LAND USE
35 Mou
lton
Pkwy
A
licia
Pkwy
Pacific Park Dr
Aliso Creek Rd Aliso Creek Rd
La
Paz
R
d
La Paz Rd
R
yan
Dr
Big Bend Dr
Via
Pansa
Cummins
Dr
N
igu
elVillage Dr
Hyatt Ct
Briones Dr
H
yatt Ct
Ta
hoeCt
Nig
uelH
eig
hts
Blv
d
Mim
osa
Dr
Alis
o
N
igue
l
Ave Armijo
Avila R
dAvila Rd Rhona D
r
BluebellDr
El Lazo Rd
H
eather
Rdg
El Pilar
C
G
E
F
D
A
I
H
B

ALISO VIEJO
73 Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 1
Community Sub-Profile Areas
2 3
4 5
67 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
1 Figure LU-2.1 Community Profile Area 1 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
36 La Pa
zRd
La Paz Rd
Mou
lton
Pkw
y
M
oult
on
Pk
w
y
Aliso Creek Rd
Pacific Park
Dr
Ry
an
Dr
Big Bend Dr LaGr
acia
V
ia LuisVia
Fierro
CallePlaya
N
igue
lV
illage Dr
Briones Dr
LasCabos
Aliso Creek RdSteff y Dr
H
omestead R
d
Aliso Ni
guel
N
igu
elH
eig
hts
Blvd
Vi
aDel A
gua
Rancho
Grand
e
Nic
oleDr
Manor Hill Rd
Mi
m
os
aDr
ViaNand
ina
Alis
oNi
guel
Country Lane Rd
Chat D
r
Ran
cho
Crist
ian
o
Daisyfi
eldDr
Av
e
Arm
ijo
LaPl
umosa
Avila Rd
Avila Rd
El
Laz
o
Rd
Yose
miteRd
Via A
lfonse
La Bajada
La G
allin
a
Jaquit
aPl
Blu
ebell
Dr
Rural L
n
CountryLane Rd
Ranc
ho
D
e L
in
da
Rosebu
d
Way
Homestead R
d
Hea
ther Rdg
Rancho
Niguel
Rd
H
J
F
I
K
E
D
B
G
A C

ALISO VIEJO

LAGUNA HILLS
73 Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 2
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 3
4 5
67 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
2 Figure LU-2.2 Community Profile Area 2 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
37 Go
lden
Lant
ern
Cabot Rd
Crown Va
lley
Pkwy
Pase
oDe Colinas
M
oulton
Pkwy
Camino Capistrano
Mad
rid Rd
LaG
racia
V
ia LuisVia
Fierro
CallePlaya
Si
lverto
n
Dr
Aloma Ave
Hugo Rd
LasCabos
Adelanto Dr
Del Cerro
Placi
da A
ve
M
ira
Vis
Ranc
ho
M
aralena
W
estfieldDr
La
sArubas
Abante
s
Pl
ViaDel Ag
ua
Rancho
Grand
e
Ave D
elCaballo
Calle Vis Char
readas
El Sur
Nuev
a Vista Dr
Spri
ngfield Dr
Monte
Verde Dr
Calle Becerra
LaFa
lda
Star Dr
Ran
ch
o
Crist
iano
El O
este
Clareton
Dr
Adelanto
Dr
Del Norte
Paseo
De Ocaso
Sorrento
Aloma A
ve
Brecke
nridge
D
r
La G
allin
a
Belle
Lom
a
Rura
lLn
Montecito
Bedf
ord DrW
esto
n
Dr
BrandonDr
Vi
staLadera
Golden
Vis
Arm
agosa Dr
Ranch
o
D
e Li
nd
a
G
reenfield
D
r
Forb
es Rd
Rancho Nigue
l Rd
B
A
D
C
F
E

MISSION
VIEJO
SAN

JUAN CAPISTRANO
5 73
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 3
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
4 5
67 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
3 Figure LU-2.3 Community Profile Area 3 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
38 Gold
en La
nter
n
Paseo
DeColinas
Crow
nVa
lley P
kwy
C
abot
R
d
Cabot
Rd
Moulto
nPkwy
Camino Capistrano
Rancho Niguel Rd
Via
Luis
Sil
verto
n
D
r
Aloma Ave
Greenfi
eld Dr
Pla
cida
Ave
M
ira
Vis
Rancho
Grande
Ave De
lCa
bal
lo
Cha
rreadas
El Sur
Spring
fieldDr
Calle
Becerra
La
Falda
Rancho
C
ristia
no
Forbes Rd
Br
ecke
nridge
D
r
Greenfield Dr
Rural L
n
Montecito
W
eston
Dr
Vist
aLadera
ForbesRd
Ros
ebud
W
ay
Rancho
D
e Li
nda
H
B
F
I
J
K
C
G
A
D
E

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA HILLS
573
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 4
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
35 67
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 4
Figure LU-2.4 Community Profile Area 4 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
39 Aliso Creek Rd
Pas
eo
D
e Colinas
Crown Valley Pk
wy
Cro
wnValley Pkwy
MoultonPkwy
M
oulton Pkwy
Gold
en Lan
tern
LaPaz Rd
La Paz Rd
Ma
drid Rd
Nig
uel H
eight
sBlvd
El
Sur
Ki
te
H
il
lD
r
Ranc
ho NiguelRd
Adelanto Dr
Via Catalina
Big Bend Dr La
G
racia
V
ia Luis
L
a
Mo
ntrosa
CallePlaya
Silve
rto
n
Dr
Aloma Ave
Briones Dr
El
Pepp
ino
Crow
n
Rdg
Hugo Rd
Greenfield Dr
LasCabos
Plac
ida
Av
e
Nue
va Vist
aDr
Aliso Creek Rd
CastleHl
Kings
Rd
LasArubas
Abantes
Pl
Via P
asat
iempo
Rancho Grand
e
Ave Rivie
ra
Calle Vis
M
ira
Vis
Nueva Vista Dr
Spr
ingfield Dr
Monte Verde Dr
Calle Becerra
Kings Pt
SunshineDr
Palac
e Ct
Count
ry Lane Rd
La
Falda
Ra
ncho
C
ris
tian
o
La S
iena
Ave
Ar
m
ijo
Adelanto Dr
Rancho
Niguel RdVia Carissa
Cl
areton
Dr
La Plumo
sa
Paseo
De Ocaso
Via Car
los
Cro
wn Ro
yale
Alom
aAve
Via D
el Oro
Yosem
ite R
d
Br
ecke
nridge
D
r
Via
Alfon
seLa Bajada
Greenfield
Dr
ElBrazo
La
Alcal
a
La G
allin
a
Kings Rd
Blu
ebell
Dr
Rural Ln
Br
andonDr
Golden
Vis
Rancho
D
e
Lind
a
Homestead
Rd
Manor
HillRd
G
A
B
C
F
H
D
E

LAGUNA HILLS

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
73 Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 5
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
67 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
5 Figure LU-2.5 Community Profile Area 5 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
40 Alicia Pkwy
Alicia Pkwy
Crow
n Va
lley Pkw
y
Nig
uelRd
M
oulton
Pkw
y
La Paz R
d
La Paz Rd
Highlands Ave
Niguel Rd
Highlands Av
e
NiguelRd
Vi
a
Luis
Rancho N
iguel Rd
Big Bend Dr
Adelan
to Dr
K
en
sington
D
r
Clip
pe
rW
ay
CrownRdg
Ki
te
H
ill
Dr
Yosemit
eRd
Ivy G
lennDr
Nu
eva
V
is
ta
D
r
Castle H
l
Kin
gsRd
Felton Dr
Bobolink D
r
Pelican Wa
y
LasArubas
Pre
st
on
D
r
Mi
che
lis
St
Chat Dr
Via
Pas
atiem
po
Calle V
is
M
urre
let Dr
La Vida Dr
Kings Pt
La P
lata D
r
Ballo
ch
St
Palace Ct
Ja
ege
r
DrDr
ake
sBay
Ranch
oNigue
lRd
Sean
Dr
TiereeSt
Runn
ing
D
eer Ln
Tro
on
St
La P
lumosa
Kings Vw
Crown Ro
yale
Sh
rikeDr
Alom
aAve
Via Portola
Via Del Oro
OxfordDr
PompanoW
ay
Vista Plaza Dr
Via
Alfonse
La B
ajada
Cutter
Barclay
Ln
Sea Pt
Stone
gate Ln
La Alcala
Kings Rd
Rue D
eGaugui
n
Sanoria St
AWMA Rd
Cast
le R
d
Golden
Vis
Alfi
eri
St
MonteVerde D
r
Rancho D
e
Li
nda
Via
Larga
Dea
nSt
Ri
dgev
iew
Dr
Ana
M
ar
ia Ln
LaHermosaAve
B
E
G
A
F
D
C

ALISO VIEJO
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 6
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 6
Figure LU-2.6 Community Profile Area 6 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
41 Alicia Pkwy
Alici
aPkw
y
La Paz R
d
Niguel Rd
Crown Valley Pkwy
Aliso Creek Rd
La P
az R
d
Highlands Ave
N
iguel Rd
Big
BendDr
San
Sim
eon
Kensington
Dr
ClipperW
ay
Niguel Rd
KiteHillDr
V
istaM
ontem
ar
Kings R
d
Felton
D
r
BobolinkDr
Pel
ica
n
W
ay
Prest
on
D
r
M
icheli
sSt
ViaN
apo
li
Chat Dr
M
urrel
etDr
T
am
arron
Bal
loch
St
Al
ta Te
rra
Ja
ege
r
Dr
D
rakesBay
Sea
n
Dr
TiereeSt
Runn
ing
D
eer Ln
Troo
n
St
Ru
eDe Gauguin
El
baD
r
Shr
ikeDr
Las Naran
jasDr
Sea
Pt
Kin g sVw
AWMA Rd
Avant
e
Seria
na
N
ov
acella
Alfi
eriSt
Teracina
DeanSt
Ridgeview
Dr
Ana
M
aria Ln
Ivy
G
lenn Dr
B
A
F
E
C
D

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 7
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 6
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 7
Figure LU-2.7 Community Profile Area 7 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
42 Alicia P
kwy
Crown Va
lley P
kwy
Nigu
elRd
Pac
ificIslandDr
Highlands Ave
Niguel Rd
Jaeger Dr
San
Sim
eon
Kite
H
illD
r
AugustaDr
K
ensington
D
r
ClipperW
ay
Saint Tropez
V
ist
a
Monte
m
ar
Felton
Dr
Bobolink Dr
Pelican W a
y
Pr
es
ton
D
r
M
iche
lis St
Belle
M
ai
son
T
am
arr
on
Paseo
DelValle
Balloch
St
Sierra Vis
Via
Estoril
Hillh
urst Dr
La B
rise
Runn
ing
D
eer Ln
T roon
St
Elba
Dr
Green
sEast D
r
La
Vue
Clubho
use Dr
Avant
e
Seria
na
N
ov
acella
Ch
apa
la
Ct
La
M
er
Le
Por
t
Alfi
er
iSt
Mira
ndelaLn
T
eracina
Paseo Del Campo
DeanSt
Sonrisa L
n
Ri
dgevie
w
Dr
Ana
M
aria Ln
Ivy
Gl
enn D
r
G
E
C
B
A
F
D

LAGUNA BEACH

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, April 9, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
LEGEND
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 8
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
9 10
11 12
13 148
Figure LU-2.8 Community Profile Area 8 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
43 Niguel Rd
Crown Valley Pkwy
Crown Va
lley Pkwy
Pacifi
c Isla
nd Dr
Pac
ificIslan
d
Dr
Marina Hills Dr
N
igue
lRd
Son
Serra
Fly
ing
Cloud
D
r
Miram
onteRd
Ridge
wayAv
e
Valle Vis
So
uth
Peak
Charles
R
d
AugustaDr
Mandalay
South
Peak
ViaMarini
Clubh
ouse Dr
Poppy H
illsRd
Los
Serr
anosD
r
MtVernon St
Rigger
W
estcliff
Bea
conHill Way
Canterbur
y
Pl
Pallazo
H
astings
Isle
Vis
Parc Vis
N
at
ional
Park Dr
Niguel Ran
chDr
Belle
M
ai
son
La Hermo
saAve
Killini
Paseo
DelValleCoro
nado
Pt
Via
Estoril
Bethany
Club
houseD
r
Hillhurst Dr
Bear
Brand R
d
Cardiff
La B
rise
A
gia
Greens E
ast Dr
Asilom
ar Rd
An
am
onte
Sitges
La
Vue
W
oodhave
n
D
r
Ne
w
H
vn
Laguna
W
oods
D
r
Mikro
L
inks
Pt
E
N
ine Dr
W
Nin
e
Dr
S o n B
on
Pienza
Cascades Dr
Hanco
ck St
Pembroke Ln
Chap
ala
C
t
La
Me
r
Estacia Ave
LePort
Mirandel
aLn
Sonris
a
L
n
Paseo Del Campo
Sie
na
A
E F
G
D
C
B

DANA POINT
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 9
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
8 10
11 12
13 14
9 Figure LU-2.9 Community Profile Area 9 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
44 Crown Valley Pkwy
Niguel Rd
Golden Lantern
Pase
o
De Coli
nas
Marina Hills Dr
La Paz Rd
Crysta
l
C
ay
N
ueva
Vista Dr
Kite H
ill
D
r
Aloma Ave
Vall
eVis
Se
agle
n
Crown R
dg
Baroness Ln
Tropea
Hugo Rd
Del Cerro
Via De Anza
Los
Serra
nos
Dr
CastleHl
Via D
i Nola
Ki
ngs Rd
Eaton Ln
Rigger
ParcVisSorbonne
Ni
guel Ranch
Dr
M
ira
V
is
Nueva Vista
Dr
V
illam
oura
Spindlewo
od
La
Hermosa Ave
Monte Verde Dr
La Vida D r
Kings Pt
Son Serra
L
agunaSerrano
Palac
e Ct
Via Piedra
Blanca
Hidden HillsRd
Dunn
St
Hillhurst
Dr
Tes
sier St
Adelanto Dr
King
sVw
Paseo
De Ocaso
Via Carlos
Cro
wnRo
yale
Aloma
Ave
Via Del Oro
Via Portola
W
eatherwood
La Estrada Dr
OxfordDr
Siros
C ielo Seascape
Cutter
BarclayLn
Vista Plaza Dr
Ston
egate Ln
Br
indisi
Son B
on
Kings Rd
Cala DOr
Corsica
Center Ct
Rue De Gaug
uin
Parc
Vi
s
Las Na
ranjas Dr
Via V
alv
erdeCastl
eRd
Sanoria St
Seafare
Argos
Gold
enVi
s
Estacia Ave
Fle
uranc
e
St
ViaLarga
Paseo Del Camp
o
Chandon
Sweet Meadow
Ln
La Plata Dr
Serenity Ln
D
G
F
A
B
E
C

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 10
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
8 9
11 12
13 14
10 Figure LU-2.10 Community Profile Area 10 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
45 Niguel
Rd
Golde
n
Lantern
Go
lden
Lant
ernCrownValley Pkwy
Marina H
ills Dr
Nigu
el Rd
Crystal
C
ay
Ridgewa
y Ave
AugustaDr
Hillhurst D
r
ValleVis
N
iguelPointeDr
Tropea
Ca
nterbury
Pl
SaintCro
ix
Saint Christoph
er
ViaMarini
Son
Serra
Los Serr
anos Dr
AsilomarRd
Rigger
Beacon Hill W
ay
Chapparosa
Park Rd
Palla
zo
Pa
rkm
anRd E
M
allorca
Curacao
Seaglen
Sor
bonne
Parc Vis
Ni
guel Ranch
Dr
La Hermosa A
ve
Killini
Lag
una
Serrano
Malibu
Hidden Hills Rd
Hen
ley
Dr
Dun
n
St
Dunes
Tessier S
t
Asilomar Rd
A
gia
Knob
H
l
Sitges
Pilos
W
eatherwood
Oxford Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
C ielo
Cutter
BarclayLn
Mikro
Sardina
StonegateLn
Brin
disi
S o n Bo
n
Corsica
Center Ct
RueDeGauguin
Tre
stles
Pienza
Denia
Lan
d ing
Las Na
ranjas Dr
Doheny
Sanoria St
Seafare
Argos
Bellerive C
ir
Fleu
rance
St
Cha
ndon
La Vida Dr
Sie
na
Serenity Ln
Sweet Meadow
Ln
H
B
A
D
G
C
F
E
I

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 11
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
8 9
10 12
13 14
11 Figure LU-2.11 Community Profile Area 11 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
46 Camin
o Del Avion
Ni
gue
lR
d
Gold
en La
ntern
Golde
n
Lan
te
rn
Ni
guel
R
d
Be
arBra
ndRd
RidgewayAve
O
ld R
anch R
d
C
har
les
R
d
Parc Vis
Saint Chr
istopher
Mandal
ay
AugustaDr
Clubhouse
Dr
Pacific Crst
Poppy Hills Rd
AsilomarRd
MtVernon St
W
est
cliff
Beacon Hill Way
Can
terbury
Pl
H
astings
Fairlane R
d
M
allorca
MorningD
ove
Old
Ranch
Rd
Killini
Malibu
Bethany
Dunes
A
gia
Asilomar Rd
Sitges
Ne
w
Hvn
Park
Rd
Oakcli ff Dr
Mikro
Denia
Tre
stles
Pien
za
Doheny
Wh
ite
Sail
H
anco
ck St
E
Nin
e
D
r
Siena
South
Pe
ak
Costa
B rav a
E
A
B
C
F
G
H J
I
D

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 12
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
8 9
10 11
13 14
12 Figure LU-2.12 Community Profile Area 12 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
47 Crown Valley Pkwy
C
row
n
Va
lley P
kwy
Pa
cifi
c Isl
and
Dr
Pa
cificIslandDr
Camino
Del A
vion
Clubh
ouse
D
r
Casaler
o
Dr
GreensEast
D
r
Fly
ing
Cloud Dr
M
ira
m
onteRd
Sou
th
Pea
k
Mar
seille
Saint Tropez
South
Peak
Clubhouse Dr
Belle
Mai
son
Ocean Way
IsleVi
s Na
tion
alPark
Dr
Paseo
D
elN
igu
el
TalaveraDr
Cardiff
La
Br
ise
Nice
WoodhavenDr
LagunaW
oodsD
r
Belaire
Antib
es
Link
s
Pt
E
N
ine
Dr
W
Nin
e
Dr
Calle
Bar
bosa
Cal
le
M
oraga
L
e Conte
Crysta
l
Sands
D r
La
Me
r
B
A
C
D

LAGUNA BEACH

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

DANA POINT
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 13
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
8 9
10 11
12 14
13 Figure LU-2.13 Community Profile Area 13 Sub-Profile Areas

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
48 Niguel Rd
Nigu
elRd
Crown Valley Pkwy
Alic
iaPkwy
Pa
cifi
c I
sland
Dr
Nigue
lRd
Highlands
Ave
GrandeVista Av
e
Runnin
gDeer
Ln
Via R
eata
Via V
alle
IvyGlenn
Dr
ViaReata
Benecia Ave
Benec
iaAve
Paseo Del Valle
N
Hamp
ton Rd
And
rea
W
ay
Via
Corona
Hillhurst Dr
Stillw
aterLn
Ana
M
ar
iaLn
Hillhurst Dr
Via Venida
Flores Ave
W
ater
for
d
Ln
W
indmill Ln
El Mirage
Ave
La Hermosa Ave
Ivy G
lenn
Dr
Estacia Ave
Town C
enter D
r
A
B
D
C
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group, May 5, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1,000500
Feet
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Adjacent Community Profile Areas
Community Profile Area 14
Community Sub-Profile Areas
1 2
3 4
5 67
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 Figure LU-2.14 Community Profile Area 14 Sub-Profile Areas

LAND USE
49 Special Planning Areas
Laguna Niguel Gateway
Specific Plan
The Laguna Niguel Gateway Area is located
in the northeast corner of the City near the
I-5 Freeway and includes the Laguna Niguel/
Mission Viejo Metrolink transit station. This
area is governed by the Gateway Specific
Plan, originally adopted in 1999. At the time of
the Specific Plan’s original adoption, the area
allowed a combination of commercial, business
park, light industrial, and public institutional
uses. In November 2011, to spur redevelopment,
the Gateway Specific Plan was updated to
additionally allow transit-oriented multi-family
residential and mixed use development.

Local Coastal Programs/
Specific Plans
Laguna Niguel’s Local Coastal Program (LCP)
is comprised of two Orange County adopted
Local Coastal Programs, the South Laguna
Specific Plan and the Aliso Creek Specific Plan.

Presently, Laguna Niguel’s corporate boundaries
include portions of these two specific plan
areas. Additionally, the Aliso Creek Specific
Plan incorporates by reference policies from
the Country Village Planned Community and
the Laguna Niguel Planned Community for the
portions of these two planned communities that
are located within the coastal zone.

After incorporation, the City requested that
the California Coastal Commission certify
those applicable portions of the previously
certified South Laguna and Aliso Creek Specific
Plans/Local Coastal Programs, as a single
City LCP. No changes to the policies, land use
designations, implementation actions or maps
of the previously certified LCP’s occurred. On
November 14, 1990, the California Coastal
Commission certified the Laguna Niguel LCP.

The LCP contains essential components and
issue areas that correspond to various topics
within different General Plan Elements. As a
result, these components are organized across
multiple Elements of the General Plan and are
addressed separately in the relevant sections.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
50 Land Use Designations and Land Use Map
Land Use Classification System
The descriptions below apply to the land use
designations depicted with color, shading, or
symbols on the Land Use Map (Figure LU-3).

These designations are intended to be broad
to give the City flexibility in implementing the
General Plan, but, clear enough to provide
sufficient direction regarding the expected type,
location, and relationship of land uses within the
City.

The Land Use Element, including the Land Use
Map, outlines provisions and requirements
for land use overlays intended to facilitate
additional development flexibility beyond that
permitted by the base land use designations.

These overlays align with the overall vision
expressed within the General Plan and its
corresponding environmental analysis. Specific
conditions, as described in this Element, must
be met for the provisions of the overlays to
be available. Until such time as these specific
conditions are met, only the provisions of the
base land use designations apply.

The City’s Zoning Ordinance contains more
detailed provisions and standards. A single
General Plan land use designation may align
with multiple zoning districts. Where uncertainty
exists regarding interpretation or the precise
boundaries of a General Plan land use
designation, it shall be the duty of the Laguna
Niguel Community Development Director to
decide based on which best carries out the
purposes and objectives of the General Plan.

Residential Detached (RD)
The RD designation is intended to provide for
the development of detached single-family
residential dwelling units. This designation
ensures residential development that maintains
the character of Laguna Niguel’s traditional
suburban neighborhoods.

Residential Attached (RA)
The RA designation is intended to provide for the
development of higher density attached single-
family residential dwelling units, as well as multi-
family attached townhomes, apartments, and
condominium projects. This designation allows
for more diverse and compact residential
options, supporting a range of housing needs
and preferences within the community.

General Commercial (GC)
The GC designation is intended to provide for a
diverse range of commercial uses serving both
neighborhood and regional needs. Typical uses
include retail stores, restaurants, entertainment
venues (e.g., cinemas, bowling alleys),
professional offices (e.g., medical, financial,
administrative, corporate), automobile-related
businesses (e.g., sales, service, gas stations),
personal service establishments, fitness and
recreational facilities, private educational
institutions and their support facilities, health
care facilities, and hospitality establishments.

This broad designation fosters a vibrant
commercial environment, catering to a wide
range of consumer needs and supporting
economic diversity within the designated areas.

Business Park (BP)
The BP designation is intended to provide for
business growth, innovation, and economic
development for a range of uses, such as
professional offices, corporate headquarters,
research and development facilities, incubator
businesses, and administrative offices.

Additionally, compatible light manufacturing,
assembly, storage, and wholesale operations
may be permissible. Other uses that are
determined to be compatible with the primary
use, such as limited supporting retail operations
may also be allowed.

LAND USE
51 Mo
ultonPkw
y
Nig
uelRd
C
ro
w
n Valle
y
Pk
w
y
Crow
n
ValleyPkwyA
licia Pk
w
y
Ca
mino Del Avi
on
G
ol
den
Lantern
Aliso Creek Rd
Marina
Hills
Dr
Pase
oDe
Colinas
Pacifi c Park Dr
C
abot
Rd
La
Paz Rd
NiguelR
d
C
am
ino
C
api
strano
High
land
s
Ave
N
iguel Rd
Casal
ero
D
r
Bear
BrandRd
Flying
Cloud
D
r
Ri
dgewayAve
Kensington D
r
M
arseil
le
Kite H
illDr
HugoRd
Clubhous
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Vista Mon
tem
ar
Los
Serr
anos D
r
Beaco n H
illW
ay
Fairlane
Rd
M
allor
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Vis
Seaglen
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guelRan
ch
D
r
El S
ur
Tam
ar
ron
O
ldRanch
R
d
Kil
lini
Ja
eger
Dr
HiddenHills Rd
Hill
h urst Dr
Ad
elanto Dr
Sea
n
Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
E
N
in
e
D
r
El Lazo Rd
P
ien za
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uevaVista Dr
Avi la Rd
AlisoNiguel
Cl
ubhouseD
r
Ivy
Glenn
Dr
Sou
th
Pea
k
La P
lata Dr
Pac
ifi
c I
sla
nd
Dr

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group April 24, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel Official General Plan Map, 9-11-2023; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
1 2
3 1. Laguna N iguel Gateway Specif ic Plan

2. Aliso Creek Specific Plan/ Local Coastal Program

3. South Laguna Specif ic Plan/ Local Coastal Program
Opportunity Area Overl ay 1
Opportunity Area Overl ay 2
Opportunity Area Overl ay 3
H ospital ity O verl ay
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Laguna N iguel Lake
Coastal Zone Boundary
General Plan Land U se
RD: Residential Detached
R A: R esiden tial Attach ed
GC: General Commercial
BP: Business Park
M CF: M anaged Care Facility
PR: Parks and Recreation
OS: Open Space
PI : Public I nst it ut ional
CC: Civ ic Cent er
SP: Specific Plan#
Figure LU-3 Land Use

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
52 Public Institutional (PI)
The PI designation is intended to provide for a
wide range of public and special purpose private
facilities that provide governmental or social
services to the community. This may include, for
example, religious institutions, schools, public
utilities, government offices, fire stations, sheriff
sub-stations, libraries, museums, community
centers, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities,
and other public uses.

Civic Center (CC)
The CC designation applies to the Laguna Niguel
Civic Center and is intended to provide for a
mixed-use civic center campus that integrates
public facilities (e.g., city hall, fire station, sheriff sub-station, library) with private development
featuring retail shops, restaurants, offices, and
residential apartments. A key emphasis is the
inclusion of vibrant outdoor open spaces, such
as dining areas, a “town green,” paseos, and
plazas that create a walkable community-
oriented “downtown” environment that blends
civic, residential, and commercial uses.

Managed Care Facility (MCF)
The MCF designation is intended to provide
for facilities that offer various levels of care for
senior citizens (e.g., assisted living facilities,
skilled nursing homes, memory care centers,
and continuing care retirement communities).

These areas uniquely blend residential
and commercial land use characteristics,
differentiating them from other land use
categories. By combining residential amenities
with medical and support services, MCFs offer
specialized environments that address the
evolving needs of the senior population within
the community.

Open Space (OS)
The OS designation is intended to preserve
natural and conservation areas, undeveloped
hillsides and canyons, and landscaped slopes
and buffers. These areas are primarily for
passive recreation, visual enhancement, and/
or resource conservation. Active sports and
organized recreational activities are generally
discouraged in these areas. This designation
also applies to parts of the community that
remain predominantly open and undeveloped,
aside from ancillary amenities such as trails,
benches, and picnic tables for public enjoyment.

Parks and Recreation (PR)
The PR designation is intended to provide for
active recreational uses, such as ball fields
and sports courts, active parks, playgrounds,
and other community or neighborhood
recreational facilities. Passive recreational
amenities and trails may also be incorporated
as complementary elements of the recreation
complex. In some cases, cultural facilities
such as theaters, museums, or other similar
specialized features with a recreational
value may align with this designation. The PR
designation allows for the development and
53LAND USE
maintenance of recreational facilities that serve
the diverse needs of the community, promoting
health, social interaction, and quality of life for
residents of all ages and abilities.

Specific Plan (SP)
The Specific Plan designation provides the
City the ability to establish detailed policies,
development and design standards, and other
criteria for the development or redevelopment
of a particular area. In accordance with state
law, specific plans generally consist of a land use
plan, circulation plan, development standards,
design guidelines, and a phasing plan. They also
set forth detailed implementation programs
necessary to serve the planning area.

Overlays
While Laguna Niguel’s base land use plan
employs more traditional broad land use
designations, planning tools such as overlays
enable more strategic and adaptable
planning for targeted growth areas. This
nuanced approach allows Laguna Niguel
to more effectively adapt to evolving social
and economic goals, including attracting
high-quality developments that benefit the
community and stimulate revitalization and
economic growth.

To ensure that development within these
targeted growth areas aligns with the broader
community vision, the base land use designation
requirements govern each area, but additional
development potential defined and facilitated
by the overlay designation may be accessible
if specific criteria are met, as outlined on the
following pages of the Land Use Element.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
54 Opportunity Area Overlay 1
(The Marketplace at Laguna Niguel)
Opportunity Area 1 includes the Marketplace
at Laguna Niguel shopping center. This area,
totaling approximately 39 acres, is located in
the City’s northwest corner, bounded by Pacific
Park Drive, Heather Ridge, Alicia Parkway, and a
Wal-Mart property within Sub-Profile Area 1I. The
land use map (Figure LU-3) designates the area
as “General Commercial.”
The Marketplace at Laguna Niguel is one of the
City’s largest shopping centers with 350,626
square feet of retail, personal service, office,
and restaurant uses. The center operates at
a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of approximately 0.2,
considerably lower than other commercial
centers in the City. The majority of the tenant
spaces are significantly set back from the
center’s primary street frontage or situated at
a grade differential, reducing visibility from the
adjacent arterial highways, which has hindered
attracting and retaining quality businesses.

Additionally, the center has an oversized parking
lot, with several parking fields rarely used and
vacant for much of the year.

Opportunity Area Overlay 1 seeks to stimulate
further market-driven investment in support
of area core commercial activities through
the introduction of a mix of complementary
land uses, including additive residential
development, to better maximize the area’s
development potential and profile as a key
gateway to Laguna Niguel.

Illustration for conceptual purposes only.

LAND USE
55 Once applied, and provided the following criteria
are met, Opportunity Area Overlay 1 would
unlock additional redevelopment potential
within Opportunity Area 1, allowing up to 500
residential attached units and an additional
149,872 square feet of commercial space. This
would increase the area’s General Plan buildout
limit to 500 residential units and 500,498 square
feet of commercial uses.

Requirements for realizing the vision for
Opportunity Area Overlay 1 include:
• Approval of a General Plan Amendment,
Zone Change, and a Specific Plan that
encompasses the entirety of Opportunity
Area 1 (Sub-profile Area 1I).
• Incorporation of a vibrant mixed-use
framework, emphasizing a thriving shopping
center and robust economic activity that
incorporates at least 200,000 square feet
of commercial development, such as retail
and restaurant uses. This includes a focus
on attracting and retaining high-quality
businesses, with the potential inclusion
of an ancillary residential component to
complement and enhance the shopping
center. The center must continue serving
as a major shopping destination for Laguna
Niguel.
• Prioritization of high-quality architecture
is essential, with an emphasis on building
design, massing, scale, and landscaping,
that complement the City's character,
including thoughtful consideration of the
surrounding environment. The design must
also emphasize enhanced walkability and
pedestrian-friendly spaces.
• Engaging street frontages along Alicia
Parkway and Pacific Park Drive, incorporating
pedestrian-scale architectural elements
and perimeter landscaping that
meaningfully enhance the streetscape and
promote walkability.
• Addressing the underutilization of existing
shopping center parking to enhance the
area's functionality and appeal. Possible
approaches include repurposing rarely
used excessive parking for: new buildings
to realize the area's development
potential, public spaces (plazas, outdoor
seating areas, parks, or event spaces) to
foster community engagement, and/or
landscaped areas to improve the area's
visual appeal. Alternatively, demonstrating
the necessity of underutilized parking fields
to accommodate new development, such
as increased commercial or residential
uses elsewhere in the area, may also be
acceptable.
• Incorporation of substantial public benefits in
consideration of the development project’s
scale and impact. These benefits may
include, but are not limited to: creation of
public spaces, public realm improvements,
and other major community focused
benefits determined by the City to advance
the vision for this Opportunity Area.
56 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Opportunity Area Overlay 2
(The Chet Holifield Federal Building)
Opportunity Area 2 includes the Chet Holifield
Federal Building (CHFB) site. This area, totaling
approximately 88 acres, is bounded by
Avila Road, Alicia Parkway, and El Lazo Road
(including the northeast corner of Avila Road
and Alicia Parkway) within Sub-Profile Area 1C.

The land use map (Figure LU-3) designates the
area as “Business Park” (86 acres) and “Public
Institutional” (2 acres).

Development on the CHFB site primarily consists
of a seven-story building, with approximately
a million square feet of government office
space, surrounded by expansive parking fields.

Property disposal efforts initiated by the federal
government in 2019 present an exceptional
opportunity to master plan the reuse of prime
real estate in South Orange County.

For decades, the federal government’s use
of the CHFB has served as the City’s largest
employer, playing a significant role in the
local economy. Preserving use of the site as
the envisioned employment hub remains a
City priority, especially given Laguna Niguel’s
substantial housing and employment
imbalance. Prioritizing and strengthening the
City’s job-to-housing ratio not only supports
economic vitality but also contributes to a more
sustainable urban environment. Improving the
City’s jobs-to-housing balance can potentially
reduce commute times, bolster community
engagement, and create a more resilient local
economy, all of which would contribute to the
City’s long-term prosperity and an enhanced
quality of life for residents.

Illustration for conceptual purposes only.

LAND USE
57 Opportunity Area Overlay 2, predicated
on the demolition of the CHFB, envisions a
transformative redevelopment of the area,
prioritizing the establishment of a thriving
employment hub as the primary focus. In
addition to complimentary uses permitted
under the primary base land use designation
of Business Park, including retail shops,
restaurants, and a boutique hotel, the overlay
also introduces the possibility of more intensive
medical-related uses and additive residential
development. Any redevelopment of the
area would also need to feature dedicated
parkland, plazas, and multi-use spaces to
foster community engagement. By creating
a vibrant live-work-play environment with
a focus on significant job creation, area
redevelopment would positively contribute
to Laguna Niguel’s overall quality of life,
capitalizing on the synergistic benefits of the
proposed concentrated and varied land uses.

Once applied, and provided the following criteria
are met, Opportunity Area Overlay 2 would
unlock additional redevelopment potential
within Opportunity Area 2, allowing up to 500
residential attached units, a 120-room boutique
hotel, and 910,000 square feet of commercial
uses including more intensive medical related
uses. This buildout scenario would supersede
the area’s General Plan buildout limit of
1,050,580 square feet of commercial uses that
would otherwise apply.

Requirements for realizing the vision for
Opportunity Area Overlay 2 include:
• Approval of a General Plan Amendment,
Zone Change, and a Specific Plan that
encompasses the entirety of Opportunity
Area 2 (Sub-profile Area 1C).
• Demolition of the CHFB and full
redevelopment of the property that creates
a major hub or campus of at least 500,000
square feet of professional, high-quality
employment opportunities in key industries
such as technology, finance, healthcare,
education, or professional services.
• Anchored by a major employer or a campus-
style development, complementary uses
including incubator business and office
park space, a retail/restaurant district, and
hospitality uses, must also be incorporated
to establish a vibrant mixed-use synergy for
the area.
• Area redevelopment that positively
contributes to daytime population with
high-quality and highly trained professional
workers to support the local business
community rather than cannibalizing it.
• Prioritization of high-quality architecture
is essential, with an emphasis on building
design, massing, scale, and landscaping
that complement the City’s character,
including thoughtful consideration of the
surrounding environment, especially along
both La Paz Road and Aliso Creek Road. The
design must also emphasize enhanced
walkability and pedestrian-friendly spaces.
• Area redevelopment must showcase
an aesthetically enhanced street
frontage along Alicia Parkway, serving
as a prominent visual gateway. This may
include a combination of design-centric
elements such as elevated landscaping
exceeding applicable standards, public
art or other visually iconic features, and
thoughtfully designed architecture and
building massing, establishing the area as
a landmark development.
• Incorporation of substantial public benefits
in consideration of the development
project’s scale and impact. These benefits
may include, but are not limited to: creation
of expansive civic or public spaces, extensive
public realm improvements, and other
community focused benefits determined
by the City to advance the vision for this
Opportunity Area.
58 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Opportunity Area 3 includes the majority of the
Town Center, totaling approximately 66 acres.

This area includes the non-residential properties
at the intersections of Crown Valley Parkway
and Niguel Road as well as those fronting Crown
Valley Parkway, Alicia Parkway, Town Center
Drive, and Ivy Glenn Drive between Niguel Road
and Hillhurst Drive within Sub-Profile Areas 14A,
14B, and 14D (Sub-Profile Area 14C is addressed
separately under the ”Civic Center” land use
designation). The land use map (Figure LU-3)
designates this area as “General Commercial”
(61 acres) and “Public Institutional” (5 acres).

The Town Center, envisioned as Laguna Niguel’s
central commercial and civic hub, has struggled
to achieve this vision and its market potential.

Despite some progress with the construction of
the City Hall in 2011 and entitlement approval
for the Laguna Niguel City Center Mixed-Use
Project in 2022, the balance of Town Center
has seen limited significant development or
improvements since the early 1980s.

Characterized by aging commercial strip
centers, low-rise office buildings, fragmented
ownership, and expansive parking lots, this
area suffers from physical isolation between
commercial spaces due to arterial roadways
and underutilized land. The lack of design
continuity, poor pedestrian connectivity, and
few outdoor spaces for people to gather and
interact pose further challenges for the area.

Opportunity Area Overlay 3 seeks to stimulate
market-driven investment in support of
area core commercial activities through the
introduction of a mix of complementary land
uses, including additive residential development
to better maximize the area’s development
potential. This approach would incentivize
the Town Center’s evolution into the vibrant,
interconnected community hub long imagined,
enhancing the quality of life for both current and
future residents and businesses.

Once applied, and provided the following criteria
are met, Opportunity Area Overlay 3 would
unlock additional redevelopment potential
within Opportunity Area 3, allowing up to 500
residential attached units and an additional
48,070 square feet of commercial space. This
Opportunity Area Overlay 3 (Town Center)
Illustration for conceptual purposes only.

LAND USE
59 would increase the area’s General Plan buildout
limit to 500 residential dwelling units and 601,823
square feet of commercial uses.

Requirements for realizing the vision for
Opportunity Area Overlay 3 include:
• Approval of a General Plan Amendment, Zone
Change, and a Specific Plan, with a minimum
contiguous planning area of 10 acres within
Opportunity Area 3. The assembly of parcels
to allow for more efficient development
patterns is strongly encouraged.
• Revitalize aging and/or fragmented
commercial development(s) into a
vibrant mix of land uses, including retailers,
restaurants, offices, entertainment,
housing, and/or outdoor open spaces. The
development must emphasize placemaking
by blending these uses to create a
pedestrian-friendly setting that creates a
sense of community and identity and offers
quality shopping, dining, service, and leisure
opportunities close to homes.
• Prioritization of high-quality architecture
is essential, with an emphasis on
building design, massing, scale, outdoor
gathering spaces, and landscaping
that complement the City’s character,
including thoughtful consideration of the
surrounding environment. The design must
also emphasize enhanced walkability and
pedestrian-friendly spaces.
• Engaging street frontages that thoughtfully
incorporate pedestrian-scale architectural
elements and perimeter landscaping that
meaningfully enhance the streetscape and
promote walkability.
• Incorporation of substantial public benefits in
consideration of the development project’s
scale and impact. These benefits may
include, but are not limited to: creation of
public spaces, public realm improvements,
and other major community focused
benefits determined by the City to advance
the vision for this Opportunity Area.

Illustration for conceptual purposes only.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
60 Mo
ultonPkw
y
Nig
uelRd
C
ro
w
n Valle
y
Pk
w
y
Crow
n
ValleyPkwy
Alici
a
Pkw
y
Ca
mino Del Avi
on
G
olden
Lantern
Aliso Creek Rd
Marina
Hills
Dr
Pase
oDe
Colinas
Pacifi c Park Dr
C
abo
tRd
La
Paz Rd
NiguelR
d
Camino
C
apist
rano
High
lands
Ave
N
iguel Rd
Bear
BrandRd
Flyi
ng
Cloud
D
r
Ridge
wayAve
Kensington D
r
Kite H
illDr
HugoRd
Clubhous
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Dr
Beaco n H
illW
ay
Fairlane
Rd
M
allor
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Seaglen
Ni
guel Ranch
D
r
El S
ur
Tam
ar
ron
O
ldRanch
R
d
Kil
lini
Ja
eger
Dr
HiddenHills Rd
Hill h urst D r
Ad
elanto Dr
Sea
n
Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
E
N
in
e
D
r
El Lazo Rd
P
ien za
N
uevaVista Dr
Avi la Rd
Aliso
Niguel
Cl
ubhouseD
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Ivy
Glenn
Dr
Sou
th
Pea
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La P
lata Dr
Pac
ifi
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sla
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Dr

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group June 10, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
1 2
3 ( 1) O p p o r t u n i t y A r e a 1 ( T he Ma r k e t p la c e a t L a g u n a Ni g u e l) (2) Opportunity Area 2 (The Chet H olifield Federal Building) (3) Opportunity Area 3 (Town Center)
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
O pportu n ity Area#
Figure LU-4 Opportunity Areas

LAND USE
61 The Hospitality Overlay identifies sites that could
accommodate future high-quality hotel uses.

These sites are located along the southern City
limit, including undeveloped or underutilized land
with expansive ocean and/or other territorial
views. This overlay facilitates the development
of high-quality hotels by encouraging
consideration of greater flexibility with regard
to land use and development intensity as part
of any associated City discretionary review
process. Particular attention should be given to
maximizing views and resort qualities desirable
to the community and attractive to out-of-town
guests and business travelers, while integrating
buildings into the existing topography to achieve
compatibility with surrounding land uses.

To realize the development potential of the
Hospitality Overlay, approval of a General Plan
Amendment, Zone Change, and a Specific Plan
is required.

Hospitality Overlay

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
62 2045 General Plan Potential Buildout Summary
Comparison of 2045 Land Use Projections to Existing Conditions Table LU-16 presents a statistical comparison between the 2045 land use buildout projections and existing, on-the-ground conditions, summarizing potential growth across Community Profile Areas. These projections do not account for the possible implementation of the three Opportunity Area Overlays, which would require approval of multiple project-specific legislative actions. For more information on existing conditions, see Chapter 2 of the ECR.

Community
Profile Area
Residential Detached Unit Max Residential Attached Unit Max Commercial Square Footage Max
Existing
Condition
General
Plan 2045
Buildout
Growth Existing
Condition
General
Plan 2045
Buildout
Growth Existing
Condition
General Plan
2045 Buildout Growth
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,059,716 3,177,989 118,273
2 1,792 1,792 0 1,503 1,503 0 57,491 57,491 0
3 962 1,033 71 456 486 30 473,109 513,578 40,469
4 0 0 0 1,499 2,994 1,495 1,111,023 1,812,8001 701,777
5 1,362 1,362 0 1,810 1,810 0 29,182 29,182 0
6 1,124 1,127 3 68 77 9 0 0 0
7 1,007 1,008 1 992 992 0 0 0 0
8 768 780 12 768 809 41 0 0 0
9 921 921 0 449 449 0 69,731 69,731 0
10 2,185 2,187 2 743 743 0 45,562 45,562 0
11 1,760 1,760 0 3,348 3,348 0 163,418 178,599 15,181
12 1,783 1,794 11 1,016 1,016 0 199,776 205,620 5,844
13 465 479 14 879 879 0 0 02 0
14 0 0 0 0 275 275 553,753 714,343 160,590
Totals 14,129 14,243 114 13,531 15,381 1,850 5,762,761 6,804,895 1,042,134 Table LU-16 2045 Projections Compared to Existing Conditions – Community Pr ofile Areas

1. The potential buildout square footage excludes the allocation for up to 350 hotel rooms for Sub-profiles 4H and 4K (including the existing 33-room hotel in Sub-profile 4K). Hotel MDIs for sub-profiles are based on number of hotel rooms instead of square footage, which is accounted for in Table LU-5.

2. The potential buildout square footage excludes a high-quality hotel of up to 120 rooms in Sub-profile 13D. Hotel MDIs for sub-profiles are based on number of hotel rooms instead of square footage, which is accounted for in Table LU-14, subject to the Hospitality Overlay criteria.

LAND USE
63 Goal LU-1
A balanced land use pattern
that integrates residential,
commercial, and employment
uses with open space and
public services to support a
vibrant, sustainable community
that offers a high quality of life.

LAND USE PLANNING
The Land Use Element provides for a diverse
blend of land uses and intensities designed
to accommodate anticipated growth without
jeopardizing Laguna Niguel’s endearing
character. By strategically planning for various
residential, commercial, and recreational
spaces, the Land Use Element aims to create
a balanced environment that supports
economic vitality while balancing the quality
of life of existing residential neighborhoods
and enhancing the extensive open space
and recreation network within the City. This
comprehensive approach enables Laguna
Niguel to adapt to evolving conditions and
preferences, fostering a vibrant and resilient
community.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
64 LU-1.1 Promote Mixed-Use Development. Encourage mixed-use zoning in strategic locations to combine residential, commercial, and employment uses. This approach aims to create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that enhance community engagement and drive economic activity.

LU-1.2 Open Space Preservation. Preserve and enhance open spaces, parks, and landscape corridors within and around urban areas to support recreational opportunities, safeguard environmental resources, and enhance overall community well-being and aesthetics. This includes ensuring that land uses and developments along designated Scenic Corridors align with scenic enhancement and preservation goals, maintaining the visual quality of these areas.

LU-1.3 Employment/Housing Balance. Strive to balance employment and housing levels within the community to provide more opportunities for residents to work locally. Laguna Niguel is “housing rich” with a forecasted jobs-housing ratio between 0.62-0.64 through 2045, significantly lower than the projected jobs-housing ratio of 1.61 for Orange County during the same period. A more balanced job-to-housing ratio enables residents to live and work in Laguna Niguel, fostering a greater sense of community and convenience. Improving this balance also improves economic resilience by allowing the community to better adapt to economic fluctuations, with one sector helping to buffer downturns in the other.

LU-1.4 Diversified Housing Options. Support a diverse range of housing development options and densities, ensuring that residents across income levels, age groups, and those with special needs can live within the community.

LU-1.5 Economic Growth. Support the preservation and growth of a variety of commercial areas, including retail, restaurant, professional, service, technology, and emerging market sectors to address the needs of residents and attract new businesses. This policy aims to strengthen the local economy and create employment opportunities for the community.

LU-1.6 Maintain and Expand Public Facilities. Ensure the planning, maintenance, and enhancement of public facilities and services, including emergency and safety services, infrastructure, educational and library facilities, and recreational and public gathering areas. These resources support social engagement, cultural activities, and a high quality of life for residents.

LU-1.7 Multigenerational Planning. Encourage new development projects to incorporate services, facilities, and spaces available to the public, with a focus on serving local youth, teens, adults, and senior citizens.

LU-1.8 Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination. Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to address land use compatibility within areas surrounding Laguna Niguel.

Partnerships with adjacent cities can aid in developing cohesive strategies to address regional planning challenges and development.

LU-1 Policies

LAND USE
65 LU-1.9 Hospitality and Entertainment. Promote the development of high-quality hotels, entertainment venues, and recreational commercial spaces to address current amenity gaps in Laguna Niguel. By supporting innovative projects that create dynamic, engaging environments, the City can enhance the community’s cultural and social offerings.

LU-1.10 Sustainable Development Practices. Implement policies that encourage the efficient use of land and infrastructure to reduce environmental impacts and support long-term community sustainability.

LU-1.11 Mobility and Connectivity. Prioritize transportation planning and infrastructure that connects residential, commercial, and employment areas efficiently, with a focus on improving transportation options, including pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes to promote sustainable and non-motorized transportation options when evaluating land use options and development projects.

LU-1.12 Residential and Non-Residential Capacities. Ensure the levels of residential and non-residential building development remain within the established baseline General Plan buildout limits (Maximum Development Intensities – MDIs) for the Sub-profile Areas.

LU-1.13 Civic Center (Additive Residential – Sub-profile 14C). Residential development within the Civic Center land use designation shall only be permitted on an additive basis at a maximum ratio of one (1) residential unit per 10,000 square feet of commercial space (e.g., retail, restaurant, office uses), unless the City determines that the following criteria are met:
» The proposed development substantially advances the General Plan’s Land Use Planning Goal (LU-1) and policies;
» The proposed development results in substantial public benefits, beyond those required for projects not requesting bonus additive residential uses (e.g., community-serving facilities, public outdoor gathering and event spaces, non-project infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, etc.); and
» The proposed development results in significant improvements over existing site and building conditions by creating exceptionally high- quality mixed-use development in terms of site planning, architecture, circulation, landscaping, pedestrian amenities, land uses, and other design elements.

LU-1.14 Public Art. Encourage the integration of public art into parks, plazas, streetscapes, transportation facilities, public buildings, mixed-use activity centers, and other publically-accessible places to enrich the community experience.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
66 Goal LU-2
A visually appealing and cohesive
community that emphasizes high-
quality design, celebrates Laguna
Niguel’s character, and fosters a strong
sense of place through well-designed
spaces, architecture, and streetscapes.

COMMUNITY DESIGN AND PLACEMAKING
Laguna Niguel is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant and attractive community. By focusing on well-designed,
pedestrian-friendly development, the City aims to create spaces through strategic land use planning that enrich
the quality of life, support local businesses, and strengthen civic pride.

LU-2.1 Site Planning and Design. Establish and implement comprehensive design guidelines and standards that emphasize high-quality architecture, visual cohesion, and well-planned functional spaces in consideration of site topography and the surrounding setting. This includes provisions that address varying architectural styles that reflect Laguna Niguel’s character, balancing innovation with visual harmony, while allowing flexibility to adapt to individual development contexts and optimizing land use for a sustainable, pedestrian- friendly community.

LU-2.2 Landscape Design. Establish and implement comprehensive landscape design guidelines and standards to create visually appealing landscapes that soften and enhance development projects and complement the surrounding environment. Incorporate plant material of varying sizes for layered growth and select species adaptable to the local climate to ensure long-term sustainability.

LU-2.3 Streetscape Design. Establish and implement public realm streetscape guidelines and standards that balance aesthetics and functionality, with a focus on the City’s arterial highways and entry gateways. This includes cohesive design elements such as street furniture, lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping in medians and parkways, and monument signage that enhance Laguna Niguel’s image and provide a welcoming, visually elevated experience for both residents and visitors.

LU-2 Policies

LAND USE
67 LU-2.4 Sustainable Design. Promote environmentally responsive design by integrating natural elements, such as drought tolerant landscaping, efficient irrigation systems, and energy-efficient building materials and design, into public and private spaces.

LU-2.5 Neighborhood Setting. Ensure new development projects are appropriately scaled and designed in consideration of the surrounding setting. This includes well-designed building height and massing transitions to complement the surrounding neighborhood’s scale and share common aesthetic themes or architectural styles, preserving the area’s desirable character and sense of place.

LU-2.6 Public Gathering Spaces. Encourage walkable placemaking projects that feature attractive outdoor gathering spaces conducive to pedestrian-friendly programming (e.g., farmers markets, art shows, live music, food, movie nights) to strengthen social engagement for residents.

LU-2.7 Residential Open Spaces and Recreation. Ensure that new residential projects incorporate thoughtfully designed usable open spaces, plazas, park areas, courtyards, and/or other outdoor gathering areas to create inviting environments for social interaction and recreation that make a community a desirable place to live.

LU-2.8 Pedestrian-Friendly Environments. Prioritize pedestrian-oriented design and connectivity by incorporating thoughtfully planned tree-lined sidewalks, pathways, and active street fronts throughout new developments. This includes a focus on human-scale building frontages that create visually appealing and pedestrian-friendly environments, as well as pedestrian safe connections to surrounding streets.

LU-2.9 Above-Ground Utilities. Ensure thoughtful placement and aesthetic treatment of utilities and support structures to minimize their visual impact.

LU-2.10 Façade and Ancillary Improvements. Encourage the revitalization of aging commercial centers and buildings to create more inviting and pedestrian- friendly spaces. This includes enhancing building façades, landscaping, signage, and overall property maintenance to build a stronger sense of community and support business attraction and retention.

LU-2.11 Hillside Development. Development within hillside areas with public views, when permitted, should prioritize minimizing grading, visual landform changes, and development intensity to retain the general character and aesthetic value of the existing landform.

LU-2.12 Collaborative Processes. Continue to actively engage and collaborate with community members and other stakeholders throughout community design and placemaking processes.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
68 Goal LU-3
Strategically guide development in three designated
“Opportunity Areas” to stimulate economic growth,
enhance community benefits, and realize each area’s unique potential by transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant placemaking destinations with high-quality urban design.

OPPORTUNITY AREAS
Laguna Niguel has designated three
key “Opportunity Areas” for significant
redevelopment (Figure LU-4) where vibrant
mixed-use hubs featuring employment,
shopping, housing, and public spaces are
envisioned: The Marketplace at Laguna Niguel,
the Chet Holifield Federal Building site, and Town
Center. Each area serves as a unique canvas for
innovative planning, design, economic activity,
and placemaking, subject to the specific
requirements established for each location. To
further ensure alignment with the City’s broader
vision and goals, the following overarching
policies are also applicable for unlocking each
Opportunity Area’s potential beyond the base
land use designation parameters and Sub-
profile Area MDIs.

LAND USE
69 LU-3.1 Reuse of Existing Development. Encourage the reuse of existing properties into vibrant destinations that expand a range of employment opportunities, desirable commercial goods and services, housing options, and other public benefits that improve the quality of life in Laguna Niguel.

LU-3.2 Differentiation of Opportunity Areas. Establish distinct placemaking identities for Opportunity Areas by customizing land uses, design aesthetics, a mix of building types and sizes, and community features to highlight each area’s individual character and context, while ensuring overall compatibility with surrounding land uses.

LU-3.3 Mixed-Use Design Integration. Ensure proposed development projects significantly improve existing site and building conditions through quality mixed-use placemaking design. This should include innovative site planning, exceptional architecture and landscaping, appropriately scaled buildings, inviting pedestrian features, and a well curated blend of complementary land uses. These core elements should work together to significantly elevate the overall quality and functionality of the area, setting a new standard for suburban infill projects.

LU-3.4 Pedestrian Circulation. Prioritize pedestrian-friendly settings that emphasize walkable, active environments featuring well-scaled buildings, interconnected open spaces (e.g., plazas, courtyards, sidewalk cafés), and inviting street frontages for residents and visitors.

LU-3.5 Economic Vitality. Encourage redevelopment that significantly strengthens the City’s economic base, attracting new businesses, quality jobs, and generating local tax revenue. This focus on employment and local revenue opportunities directly supports high- quality community services and facilities for residents, businesses, and visitors.

LU-3.6 Time of Use Activities. Encourage new land uses that provide both daytime and evening activities. This may include a variety of integrated commercial and residential uses that have well planned public spaces that bring people together and provide opportunities for social interaction and active living, featuring a range of shopping, dining, service, employment, and entertainment options.

LU-3.7 Specific Plan Areas. Monitor the effectiveness of the Gateway Specific Plan and any new Specific Plans adopted within Opportunity Areas.

Update these plans periodically as appropriate and ensure their consistent implementation.

LU-3 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
70 LU-4.1 Preserve Single-Family
Neighborhoods. Focus growth
to underutilized parcels within
Opportunity Areas, reducing
development pressure on
established single-family residential
neighborhoods.

LU-4.2 New Development Sensitivity.

Ensure new development projects
are sensitively designed to
complement surrounding low-density
residential neighborhoods, including
architectural character, appropriate
building massing and scale, and
minimizing any operational impacts
on the surrounding area.

LU-4.3 Neighborhood Character. Support
resident efforts to create a distinctive
sense of place and improve the visual
quality of individual neighborhoods.

LU-4.4 Property Maintenance and
Reinvestment. Promote community
pride and enhance the City’s visual
appeal by encouraging property
renovations and reinvestment.

This also includes Municipal Code
education and enforcement efforts to
ensure proper property maintenance
and preserve neighborhood
character and aesthetics.

LU-4.5 Neighborhood Infrastructure.

Maintain adequate neighborhood
infrastructure, community facilities,
and services to support the livability
and long-term sustainability of
neighborhoods.

LU-4.6 Community Programming.

Support local outreach and
education initiatives that improve
neighborhoods and strengthen
community connections in Laguna
Niguel.

Goal LU-4
Safe and quiet
established residential
neighborhoods
contribute to the
quality of life in Laguna
Niguel and provide
opportunities for
social interaction and
enhance community
connections.

NEIGHBORHOOD

PRESERVATION
Single-family neighborhoods
make up the majority of the City’s
developed land area. While the City’s
Opportunity Areas are envisioned
to serve as vibrant community
hubs and centers of activity, many
neighborhoods also contribute by
hosting social gatherings and events
that foster community building and
connectivity in their respective areas.

During the General Plan Update
process, maintaining established
neighborhoods, encouraging
property reinvestment (including
general maintenance and building
and landscape improvements),
and strengthening neighborhood
connections were identified as
community priorities.

LU-4 Policies

MOBILITY
71 03

MOBILITY

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
72 [ this page intentionally blank ]

MOBILITY
73 The 1992 Laguna Niguel General Plan provided
a framework to ensure infrastructure was
systematically built as the City grew, much of
which has now been realized. Today, Laguna
Niguel’s mobility network includes streets (travel
lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, etc.), multi-use
trails, and transit (bus, trolley, on-demand
paratransit, and train).

As Laguna Niguel continues to evolve and
mature, with ongoing infill development,
the City’s transportation goals now focus
on preserving and enhancing community
quality of life, as outlined in the Laguna
Niguel Community Vision. This vision includes
improved pedestrian and bicycle connections
linking neighborhoods, destinations, and public
facilities throughout the community, along with
a balanced transportation system that expands
beyond automobile-focused travel.

State law (California Government Code
Section 65302(b)) mandates that the Mobility
(Circulation) Element contains the general
location and extent of existing and proposed
major thoroughfares, transportation routes,
terminals, and other public utilities and
facilities, to the extent these facilities exist in the planning area. This Mobility Element includes all
information required by the Government Code,
except that the location and extent of “other
local public utilities and facilities” is addressed
in the Land Use and Public Facilities and Services
Elements.

Organization of Element
The Mobility Element will address each of the
topics below as they relate to Laguna Niguel. The
goals and policies of this Element are organized
around the following topics:
• Transportation Network
• Active Transportation
• Public Transit
• Transportation Safety
• Regional Collaboration
• Scenic Corridors
• Right-Sized Parking
Introduction
The Mobility Element seeks to support travel throughout the City by way of an interconnected accessible and safe transportation network.

Over the past several decades, Laguna Niguel’s transportation system has developed concurrently with the City’s physical growth, with automobile movement as a major emphasis.

MOBILITY

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
74 Mobility Network
Laguna Niguel consists of a comprehensive
transportation system designed to ensure safe
and convenient travel for residents, employees,
and visitors. This system includes a network of
roadways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and multi-
use trails, allowing for travel by vehicle, transit,
bicycle, and walking.

Laguna Niguel Circulation Plan
The City’s roadway network, as detailed in the
Circulation Plan (Figure M-1), consists of arterial,
collector, and local streets. Table M-1 below
provides an overview of these classifications
and Figure M-2 illustrates typical cross-section
profiles. Arterial streets serve as the major
connections that traverse the City and provide
access to regional highways and City collector
and local streets.

This network is integrated with the broader
regional circulation system. Regional access is
provided by I-5 (San Diego Freeway) and SR-73
(San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor),
which connect the City to destinations
throughout southern California and beyond.

Ramp terminal intersections for I-5 are located
on Avery Parkway and on Crown Valley Parkway.

The City will continue to coordinate with regional
and state transportation planning efforts to
provide and maintain safe and convenient
access to the regional circulation system.

Street Type Description Key Characteristics Examples
Arterial Streets:

Augmented Major Eight-lane divided
roadways
Appx 120’ typical curb-to-curb
width
No on-street parking
May include Class II bike lanes
Crown Valley Parkway
(I-5 to Cabot Road)
Major Six-lane divided
roadways
Appx 102’ typical curb-to-curb
width
No on-street parking
May include Class II bike lanes
Crown Valley Parkway
(Cabot Road to Camino
Los Padres), Alicia
Parkway
Primary
Four-lane divided
or partially-divided
roadways
Appx 84’ typical curb-to-curb
width
No on-street parking
May include Class II bike lanes
Camino del Avion, Niguel
Road (south of Alicia
Parkway)
Secondary
Two-lane (divided) or
four-lane (undivided)
roadways
Appx 64’ typical curb-to-curb
width
No on-street parking
May include Class II bike lanes
Highlands Avenue
Collector Streets: Two-lane undivided
roadways
Appx 40’ typical curb-to-curb
width
May include Class II bike lanes
or on-street parking
Beacon Hill Way, Club
House Drive
Local Streets: Low-traffic roads within
neighborhoods
Appx 28’- 40’ typical curb-to-
curb width
Typically include on-street
parking, but not designated
bike lanes
Residential streets
throughout the City
Table M-1 Roadway Classifications
Note: Recognized for their contributions to the City’s visual character, most of the City’s arterial streets are designated Scenic Corridors as illustrated on Figure M-9. Protecting and enhancing the scenic elements of these arterial roadways is a goal for the City.

MOBILITY
75 Intersection Improvements
Within the City of Laguna Niguel
La Paz Road at
Rancho Niguel Road
• Restripe to remove NBT.
• Restripe to remove 2nd SB departure lane.
• Restripe to remove 2nd SBT.
• Restripe to remove 2nd NB departure lane.
• Consider signalized intersection or traffic circle in place of other planned improvements.

Cabot Road at
Crown Valley
Parkway
• Restripe to convert 2nd NBT to NBT/R.
• Widen and restripe to provide SBR.
• Restripe to convert EBR to EBT/R.
• Widen and restripe to provide 4th WB departure lane.
• Restripe to provide WBT/R.

Forbes Road at
Crown Valley
Parkway
• Restripe to provide 2nd NBL, remove NBT, and convert NBR to NBT/R. • Restripe to provide 2nd SB departure lane.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd SBL.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd WBL and 4th WBT.

I-5 SB Ramps at
Crown Valley
Parkway
• Widen and restripe to provide 5th EBT.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd WBL.

I-5 NB Rmps at
Crown Valley
Parkway
• Widen and restripe to provide 2 NBL.
• Widen and restripe to provide EBT/R.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd loop on-ramp SB departure lane.

Camino Capistrano
at Paseo de Colinas
• Widen and restripe to provide 2 NBR.
• Widen and restripe to provide WBL.

Camino Capistrano
at Avery Parkway
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd NBR.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd SB departure lane.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd WBR.

I-5 SB Ramps at
Avery Parkway
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd SBL and 2nd SBR.
• Restripe SBT/R to SBR.
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd on-ramp SB departure lane. • Widen and restripe to provide 3 additional EBT.
• Widen and restripe to provide 3rd WB departure lane.
• Widen and restripe 2nd WBL and 2 additional WBT.
• Widen and restripe to provide 3 additional EB departure lanes.

Table M-2 Planned Changes to Existing Roadways and Intersections Note: NBR = Northbound Right, NBT = Northbound Through, NBL = Northbound Left; SBR = Southbound Right, SBT = Southbound Through, SBL = Southbound Left; EBR = Eastbound Right, EBT = Eastbound Through, EBL = Eastbound Left; WBR = Westbound Right, WBT = Westbound Through, WBL = Westbound Left.

The Circulation Plan, along with the Traffic Impact Analysis included in the General Plan EIR, is designed to accommodate the future growth outlined in the Land Use Element while maintaining an efficient roadway network at acceptable levels of service. Planned changes to existing roadways and intersections, summarized in Table M-2, mainly involve widening and striping to improve capacity. However, one roadway will be narrowed to add landscaping and enhanced bike lanes, without compromising acceptable traffic flow.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
76 Roadway Segment Improvements
Within the City of Laguna Niguel
La Paz Road, between
Aliso Creek Road and
Kings Road
• Reduce the number of travel lanes from four travel lanes to two travel lanes.

Intersection Improvements
Within the City of Laguna Niguel
Marguerite Parkway
at Avery Parkway
• Widen and restripe to provide 2nd NBL.
• Widen and restripe to provide EBR.
• Widen and restripe to provide WBR.

Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH)
In addition to its local significance, Laguna Niguel’s
roadway network plays a significant role in the Orange
County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) countywide
transportation system known as the Master Plan of
Arterial Highways (MPAH). The City’s Circulation Plan
includes three proposed changes to the existing MPAH,
which require amending OCTA’s plan (see Figure M-3 for
an illustration of these changes):
• Maintain existing conditions on Camino Los Padres,
which consists of the removal of the previously
contemplated Camino Los Padres extension from
its current terminus to Camino Capistrano, which
extends outside the City limits.
• Reduce the number of travel lanes on La Paz Road
between Aliso Creek Road and Kings Road from two
lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction.
• Maintain existing travel lane conditions on Golden
Lantern between Sweet Meadow Lane and Sarina
Lane, which consists of the removal of the previously
contemplated roadway widening.

Intersection Improvements
I-5 NB Ramps at
Avery Parkway
• Widen and restripe to convert NBR to NBL/R and provide NBR. • Restripe NBL/T to NBL.
• Widen and restripe to provide 3rd on-ramp NB departure lane. • Widen and restripe to provide 2nd WBL and 2 additional EBT. • Widen and restripe to provide 3 additional WB departure lanes. • Widen and restripe to provide 2 additional WBT.
• Widen and restripe to provide 1 additional EB departure lanes.

MOBILITY
77 Figure M-1 Circulation Plan
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
*Augmented roadways are defined where additional ADT link capacity is required and involves improvements such as intersection enhancements and auxiliary lanes which add to the effective link capacity. *Enhanced intersections are projected to require more lanes than the typical arterial cross section and may require an additional 10-15 feet of right-way beyond the typical cross section.

San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Augmented Major
Major
Primary
Secondary
Interchange
Metrolink Station
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025
Commuter
Collector

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
78 Major Arterial
6' 3' 7' 3' 12' 11' 11' 14' 11' 11' 12' 3' 7' 3' 6'
120'
Primary Arterial – Buffered Bike Lanes
5' 3' 8' 5' 11' 11' 14' 11' 11' 5' 8' 3' 5'
100'
Figure M-2
Typical Cross Sections
Figure M-2 Typical Cross Sections
Major Arterial
6' 3' 7' 3' 12' 11' 11' 14' 11' 11' 12' 3' 7' 3' 6'
120'
Primary Arterial – Buffered Bike Lanes
5' 3' 8' 5' 11' 11' 14' 11' 11' 5' 8' 3' 5'
100'
Figure M-2
Typical Cross Sections

MOBILITY
79 Primary Arterial – Buffered Parking
5' 6' 7' 5' 11' 12' 11' 5' 7' 6' 5'
80'
5' 6' 7' 11' 11' 11' 11' 7' 6' 5'
80'
Secondary Arterial – 2 Lanes
Secondary Arterial – 4 Lanes
5' 3' 9' 4' 11' 11' 14' 11' 11' 4' 9' 3' 5'
100'
Figure M-2
Typical Cross Sections

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
80 Notes:
* Context dictates whether a striped shoulder, bike lanes, or parking can be implemented. **Curb-to-curb width varies depending on residential driveway access and context. For example, a local street with a driveway on one side of the roadway can have 32' curb-to- curb to enable street parking or bike lanes. A local street with driveways on both sides of the roadway can have 40' curb-to-curb.
28' - 40' Curb-to-Curb**
Maximum Right-of-Way 56'
5' 3' 3' 5'
Potential
residential
driveway
Potential
residential
driveway
Local
Commuter*
40’
Maximum Right-of-Way 56'
5' 3' 3' 5'
Figure M-2
Typical Cross Sections

MOBILITY
81 Figure M-3 Master Plan of Arterial Highways
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles*Note: Not all roadway classifications are applied within the City of Laguna Niguel.

San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Principal
Major
Smart Street 6 Lane
Primary
Secondary
Divided Collector
Collector
Residential Collector
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
82 Pedestrian and Bicycle
Connectivity
Walkability, accessibility, and connectivity
are key to a pedestrian-friendly mobility
system in Laguna Niguel. The City’s continuous
sidewalks along major roadways provide a
strong foundation for pedestrian movement,
complemented by the network of multi-use
trails that link to neighborhoods, regional
parks, and neighboring beach communities.

Efforts to further enhance walkability will
focus on creating and improving pedestrian-
friendly spaces and key connections. This
includes incorporating elements such as
timed crosswalks, well-lit paths, traffic buffers,
landscaping, and enhanced trails to promote
walking for transportation and recreation.

Laguna Niguel also boasts a comprehensive
bikeway system for recreation and
transportation that connect residences, jobs,
shopping, transit, recreation uses, and schools.

The City follows Caltrans’ standards to classify
its bikeways, as outlined in Table M-3, which
also highlights general locations. Safe and
convenient bikeways and an educated driving
public can make biking more attractive.

The City’s existing system of bike lanes and
paths provide internal community links as
well as access to many of the surrounding
communities. Expanding and enhancing
bicycling opportunities as a multimodal option
for recreation and as an alternative to driving is
a citywide goal. The City’s bike and trail network
are presented in Figures M-4 and M-5.

Type Description Examples
Class I
Provides a completely separated
right-of-way for the exclusive use of
bicycles and pedestrians with cross
flow minimized
Niguel Road from Club House Drive
to Ridgeway Avenue
Class II Provides a striped lane for one-way
bike travel on a street or highway.

Crown Valley Parkway, Moulton
Parkway, Pacific Island Drive
Class III Provides for shared use with
pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic. None
Class IV
Provides a separated bikeway within
existing roadway right of way by use
of physical devices or landscaping
Aliso Creek Road
Table M-3 Bikeway Classifications

MOBILITY
83 Class I Bikeways (Bike Paths)
Class I bicycle facilities are completely separated facilities designed for the exclusive use of bicyclists and pedestrians.

Class II Bikeways (Bike Lanes)
Class II bicycle facilities are striped lanes that provide bike travel along a street or highway and can be either located next to a curb or parking lane.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
84 Class III Bikeways (Bike Routes)
Class III Bikeways are routes designated by signs or pavement markings, like sharrows for bicyclists in a shared-use vehicular travel lane of a roadway. While bicyclists have no exclusive use or priority, signage by the side of the street and sometimes stenciled on the roadway surface alerts motorists to bicyclists sharing the roadway space and denotes that the street is an official bike route.

Class IV Bikeways (Separated Bikeways)
A Class IV bikeway, also called a separated bikeway or cycletrack, are protected bike lanes that provide a right-of-way designated exclusively for bicycle travel within a roadway, protected from vehicular traffic by physical barriers (e.g., grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible physical barriers, on-street parking). California Assembly Bill 1193 (AB 1193) legalized and established design standards for Class IV bikeways in 2015.

MOBILITY
85 Figure M-4 Bikeways Plan
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Bikeways
Local Streets
Metrolink Station
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
86 Figure M-5 Trails Plan
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles*Note: Trails in proximity to the City limit may not be located entirely within the City of Laguna Niguel.

San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Trails
Local Streets
Metrolink Station
Regional Trail Connectors
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS.

Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers
October 14, 2025

MOBILITY
87 Public Transit
Public transit in Laguna Niguel includes a
variety of options. These include OCTA’s
fixed-route bus service, and Americans with
Disability Act (ADA) paratransit service. City-
operated services include the Summer Trolley
and the Senior Wheels programs. Additionally,
the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink
station provides commuter rail service. Fixed
transit stops and routes in the City are shown
in Figure M-6.

An effective and efficient transit network
is an important component of the City’s
Mobility Element. Connecting neighborhoods,
workplaces, shopping, services, and recreation
areas by transit enhances mobility options for
individuals without access to private vehicles
(such as seniors, people with disabilities, and
low-income households). It also encourages
walking and bicycling to and from transit stops,
supports urban development, and promotes
energy efficiency by moving more people
using fewer resources.

OCTA Services
OCTA currently operates four bus routes within
the City (Routes 85, 87, 90, and 91) that connect
with other destinations in Orange County.

OCTA periodically updates its service levels
and route configurations based on ridership.

In compliance with the ADA, all public
transit operators like OCTA are required to
provide paratransit service to persons whose
disabilities prevent them from using accessible
fixed-route public transit. In Laguna Niguel,
OCTA operates Access Service, a shared-ride
paratransit service for qualified individuals.

City Transit Services
The City operates the Laguna Niguel Summer
Trolley, a free trolly service that operates from
the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink
Station to Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. The
service is available from Memorial Day to Labor
Day each summer.

Metrolink Rail Service
The Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink
Station is located in the northeast corner of the
City with access on Forbes Road and Camino
Capistrano. Currently, Metrolink provides
service to two lines from the station, the
Orange County Line and the Inland Empire-
Orange County Line. The station features public
parking, restrooms, and bicycle amenities,
including racks and lockers.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
88 Figure M-6 Transit Routes and Stops
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
OCTA Bus Stops
Laguna Niguel Trolley Stops
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
OCTA Route 85
OCTA Route 87
OCTA Route 90
OCTA Route 91
Laguna Niguel South Line
Trolley
Laguna Niguel North Trolley
Metrolink Station
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025

MOBILITY
89 Laguna Niguel strives for a safe, convenient,
and efficient multimodal transportation
system. To achieve this, the City prioritizes
adaptable, forward-thinking transportation
planning and implementation that addresses
current needs and the anticipated demands
of future development as planned for in the
Land Use Element. Key strategies for effectively
connecting neighborhoods, workplaces,
shopping, recreation, and transit hubs include
optimizing and adapting existing infrastructure,
integrating new technologies and industry best
practices, and supporting sustainable mobility
options.

Goal M-1
A well-planned and
comprehensive multimodal
transportation system that
connects neighborhoods,
jobs, shopping, recreation,
and transit hubs.

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
90 M-1.1 Balanced Circulation Network. Support the design, management, maintenance, and enhancement of a multimodal roadway network that accommodates the City’s current and future development as outlined in the Land Use Element. This includes maintaining and adapting the Laguna Niguel’s Circulation Plan Figure M-1 and related infrastructure to ensure safe, efficient, and well-connected links between neighborhoods, workplaces, shopping, recreation, and transit hubs.

M-1.2 Multimodal Transportation. Support an integrated transportation network as a system that accommodates and promotes various modes of travel, such as walking, bicycling, public transit, enhancing multimodal connectivity throughout the City and contributing to environmental sustainability.

M-1.3 Mobility Hubs. Support the development and enhancement of mobility hubs Figure M-7 to serve as centralized, convenient points linking a variety of transportation options.

M-1.4 Complete Streets. Apply context-sensitive “complete streets” principles into the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of City roadways. This includes industry best practices focusing on safe, functional, and attractive access and travel for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users.

M-1.5 Land Use Planning. Align transportation planning with land use decisions to support a multimodal system that minimizes traffic congestion and reduces environmental impacts from future developments.

M-1.6 Level of Service. Ensure the roadway network supports existing and planned developments while maintaining acceptable vehicle Levels of Service across roadways and intersections. For qualifying development projects, ensure the preparation of a Traffic Impact Study, including Level of Service analyses, in accordance with the City’s Transportation Assessment Guidelines.

Projects determined to adversely affect the transportation system may require adjacent infrastructure improvements and/or fair-share payment contributions for system-wide improvements.

M-1.7 Vehicle Miles Traveled. For qualifying development projects, ensure the preparation of a Vehicle Miles Traveled analysis in accordance with the City’s Transportation Assessment Guidelines and compliance with applicable state law(s) aimed at reducing vehicle travel distances from and within the City.

M-1.8 Travel Demand Management. Encourage the development and implementation of travel demand management programs to reduce peak- hour traffic congestion and help reduce vehicles miles traveled within the community.

M-1.9 Signal Coordination. Prioritize traffic signal coordination and retiming to adapt to changes in travel patterns and traffic flows to minimize unnecessary delay and congestion.

M-1 Policies

MOBILITY
91 M-1.10 Driveways on Arterials. Limit the construction of new driveway access points on arterial roadways, where feasible, to maintain traffic flow and reduce potential conflict points between motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

M-1.11 Designated Truck Routes. Limit commercial truck traffic to designated truck routes on selected arterial streets (Figure M-8) to minimize impacts on sensitive areas, including residential neighborhoods and schools. Support this policy with appropriate signage and practical restrictions.

M-1.12 Innovation and Technology. Integrate new technological advancements and best practices to improve safety, efficiency, user experience, and/or reduce operational costs.

M-1.13 Multimodal Funding Opportunities. Pursue diverse funding sources, leveraging federal, state, regional, and local opportunities, to support a financially sustainable multimodal transportation system while exploring innovative funding mechanisms.

M-1.14 Transportation Planning Outreach. Engage the community and other stakeholders in major transportation planning efforts to ensure projects align with City and mobility priorities.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
92 Mobility Hubs
A mobility hub seamlessly combines traditional travel modes (bus, rail) with shared mobility services (bikeshare, carshare, ride-hailing) in one convenient location. Comprehensive mobility hubs may include advanced technology, wayfinding, access to goods/services, and information.

They can create a sense of place where communities come together to work, live, shop, and play; strengthening community bonds and providing a community gathering place. In this way, mobility hubs are a flexible variant of the transit center concept: A mobility hub is a place where multimodal travel is both easy and efficient.

Mobility hub components can include: EV chargers, wayfinding/informational signs, bus stops and shelters, scooter and bike parking, designated pick-up/drop-off zones, commercial loading zones, carshare, seating, and landscaping.

Mobility Hub Example. Source: OCTA

MOBILITY
93 Complete Streets
The United Stated Department of Transportation defines Complete Streets as “streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users. Those include people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are travelling as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders.” The concept of Complete Streets encompasses many approaches to planning, designing, and operating roadways and rights of way with all users in mind to make the transportation network safer and more efficient. Complete Street policies are set at the state, regional, and local levels and are frequently supported by roadway design guidelines.

Mobility Hub Example. Source: City of Montclair

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
94 Figure M-7 Potential Mobility Hub Locations
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE
5 73
Metrolink
Station
Chet Holifield
Federal Building
Laguna
Niguel YMCA
City Hall
& Library
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Potential Mobility Hub
Location

0.5 Mile Radius

1.5 Mile Radius
Metrolink Station
Local Streets
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025

MOBILITY
95 Figure M-8 Truck Routes
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Truck Routes
Local Streets
Metrolink Station
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
96 Goal M-2
A balanced transportation network
that supports walking, bicycling,
and other non-motorized modes
of travel, fostering active lifestyles,
environmental sustainability, and
enhancing the overall quality of life
for the Laguna Niguel community.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Walking and bicycling, for both recreation and
commuting, play increasingly significant roles as
alternatives to automobile travel. A well-designed
infrastructure network encourages non-motorized
travel. Laguna Niguel’s existing pedestrian, bicycle,
and multi-use trails serve a vital role in supporting
active transportation. By maintaining and enhancing
these facilities, the City can further encourage active travel modes, improve connectivity, and enhance
the community’s overall livability and accessibility.

Additional detail on this topic is provided in the City’s Active Transportation Plan (ATP), which identifies
infrastructure and non-infrastructure programs,
policies, and strategies to enhance the safety of people using active transportation on City roadways and trails.

M-2.1 Active Transportation. Maintain and enhance the City’s pedestrian, bicycle, and multi-use trail networks to support safe, convenient, well-connected, and efficient non-motorized travel for both recreational and commuting purposes.

New development projects should make positive contributions towards these active transportation efforts with connected street systems and dedicated pedestrian friendly paths.

M-2.2 Connectivity and Accessibility. Prioritize infrastructure improvements that enhance connectivity between neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, recreation, shopping areas, and transit hubs, ensuring safe and accessible routes for all users.

M-2 Policies

MOBILITY
97 M-2.3 Active Lifestyles and Environmental Sustainability. Support active transportation to reduce automobile reliance, promote environmental sustainability, and encourage active lifestyles throughout the community.

M-2.4 Traffic Calming and Design. Implement design standards and traffic calming measures that prioritize pedestrian and bicyclist safety, such as wayfinding, clearly marked crosswalks, and separated bike lanes.

M-2.5 Multi-Use Trail Network. Provide multi-use trails that support active transportation within and beyond the City. In addition to new trail segments, prioritize sustaining a high-quality existing trail network through regular maintenance and enhancements to ensure they remain safe, accessible, and well-connected for all users.

M-2.6 Bicycling Amenities. Encourage secure and convenient bicycle facilities, such as bike racks, lockers, and other support facilities for bicyclists at key destinations, including transit stops, multifamily communities, commercial centers, parks, and employment hubs to encourage bicycling as a transportation option.

M-2.7 Close Network Gaps. Monitor the City’s pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and trail networks to identify connectivity gaps and prioritize projects to address these gaps, improving overall mobility across the City.

M-2.8 Last-Mile Connectivity. Coordinate active transportation routes, such as bike paths and pedestrian walkways, with transit stops to improve last- mile connections, promoting greater transit ridership, active lifestyles, and environmental sustainability.

M-2.9 Attractive Streetscapes. Design and maintain visually appealing streetscapes by incorporating coordinated elements such as landscaping (including street trees), lighting, and pedestrian amenities that enhance community identity and promote walkability.

M-2.10 Transportation and Development Projects. Integrate active transportation planning considerations into the transportation and development project decision-making process to prioritize pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity and safety.

M-2.11 Active Transportation Funding Opportunities. Monitor and seek funding for active transportation maintenance and enhanced interconnections from all available sources.

M-2.12 Active Transportation Technology. Evaluate new mobility technologies and the potential effects on non-vehicular travel and mode choice in Laguna Niguel and the region.

M-2.13 Active Transportation Promotion. Foster community engagement and education programs to encourage active transportation, raise awareness of available infrastructure, and promote safe walking and bicycling practices.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
98 Goal M-3
A safe, efficient, and accessible
public transit system that
enhances connectivity, reduces
traffic congestion, supports
environmental sustainability,
and meets the diverse
needs of the community.

PUBLIC TRANSIT
In collaboration with regional service providers,
Laguna Niguel aims to support a range of
accessible, safe, and reliable transit options
designed to meet the community’s diverse
transportation needs. In working with partner
agencies, the City is actively working to reduce
traffic congestion, support environmental
sustainability, and enhance connectivity for all
residents, regardless of age, income, or physical
ability.

MOBILITY
99 M-3.1 Transit Collaboration. Collaborate with Orange County Transportation Authority, Metrolink, Southern California Association of Governments, and other regional
agencies to expand and enhance public transit service
in Laguna Niguel.

M-3.2 Bus and Paratransit Services. Support Orange County Transportation Authority in enhancing bus, paratransit, and other transit services to provide efficient access for Laguna Niguel residents, including seniors, low-income
households, and individuals with disabilities.

M-3.3 Bus Stop Amenities. Collaborate with Orange County Transportation Authority to provide bus stop amenities
such as benches, trash receptacles, and shelters,
considering factors like ridership and available funding.

These amenities should be thoughtfully designed,
comfortable, safe, and attractive.

M-3.4 City Transit Services. Provide supplemental transit services, as feasible, such as the City’s summer
trolley and Senior Wheels services, based on funding
availability and ridership demand. This includes seeking additional partnerships and financial resources to
expand and enhance these programs.

M-3.5 Metrolink Services. Support Metrolink initiatives to expand rail destinations and increase train frequency
at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station.

This includes ensuring the station is designed to be
comfortable, safe, and visually appealing for all users.

M-3.6 Transit Technologies. Collaborate with service
providers to explore and, where feasible, implement
new technologies that improve convenience, safety,
reliability, and cost efficiency for transit users. This includes real-time app-based features like route
maps, traffic updates, delay notifications, and payment options.

M-3.7 Public Transit Promotion. Support public outreach programs encouraging public transit use by people
living in, working in, or visiting Laguna Niguel. This
includes highlighting the benefits of public transit and providing resources to help individuals navigate local
and regional transit options effectively.

M-3 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
100
Goal M-4
Vehicular, pedestrian, and
bike safety through integrated
strategies encompassing
design, technology, education,
and enforcement.

TRANSPORTATION SAFETY
Laguna Niguel prioritizes a safe and adaptive
transportation system that holistically
prioritizes user safety for motorists, cyclists, and
pedestrians by implementing engineering and
technology solutions, traffic calming measures,
education programs, and enforcement of traffic
regulations.

MOBILITY
101
M-4.1 Enhanced Safety. Identify priority roadway
corridors for enhanced traffic safety and prioritize
multifaceted solutions at these locations, such as
traffic calming best practices, pedestrian buffers,
protected bike lanes, infrastructure improvements,
and technology innovations.

M-4.2 Safe Systems Approach. Promote plans and
programs designed to improve roadway safety
with a focus on reducing severe and fatal collisions
consistent with the requirements of Government
Code Section 65302(b)(2)(B)(i).

M-4.3 School Safety. Collaborate with Capistrano Unified School District to improve safety and reduce traffic
congestion in school zones to promote walking
and bicycling to schools. This may include reduced
speeds limits, enhanced signage, bikeway and
crosswalk improvements, and other traffic calming
measures for the safety of children and families
walking or biking to school.

M-4.4 Neighborhood Cut-Through Traffic. Discourage
cut-through traffic in residential neighborhoods
by implementing effective traffic management
solutions in combination with traffic speed and
safety education and enforcement.

M-4.5 Education and Enforcement. Support education
programs that promote safe transportation
behaviors, user responsibility, in combination
with enforcement of traffic regulations to ensure
compliance to reduce collisions.

M-4.6 Community Traffic and Safety Collaboration.

Collaborate with residents, homeowners’
associations, businesses, and other community
stakeholders to gather input on traffic efficiency
and safety concerns.

M-4.7 Transportation Safety Funding. Monitor and seek
grant funding to develop a comprehensive safety
action plan towards reducing traffic collisions from
all available sources.

M-4 Policies
102 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Goal M-5
An integrated regional circulation system
strengthened by strong partnerships
with transportation organizations, other
agencies, and neighboring jurisdictions.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION
The City’s circulation system is part of a larger regional transportation network, serving the needs of people across the County and beyond. To ensure these connections are effectively planned and maintained, coordination with other agencies is essential. Strategic collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions, transportation partners, and stakeholders is key to enhancing Laguna Niguel’s mobility. Recognizing the interconnected nature of regional transportation, the City will work closely with other agencies to support the broader community.

MOBILITY
103
M-5.1 Roadway Improvement Collaboration. Coordinate roadway improvements with applicable county, state, and federal transportation plans and proposals.

M-5.2 Development and Infrastructure Projects. Collaborate with neighboring cities and transportation and regional agencies, such as Orange County Transportation Authority, California Department of Transportation, and Transportation Corridor Agencies, on major new development or transportation infrastructure projects.

M-5.3 Regional Coordination. Collaborate with regional transportation agencies, such as Orange County Transportation Authority, Southern California Association of Governments, California Department of Transportation, Transportation Corridor Agency, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Regional Transportation Planning Agencies and neighboring cities, to jointly plan, secure funding, and implement multi-agency transportation projects that improve regional mobility and address regional transportation challenges.

M-5.4 Master Plan of Arterial Highways. Coordinate with Orange County Transportation Authority on any proposed modifications to the City’s Circulation Plan Figure M-1 that may affect their countywide transportation system plan, the Master Plan of Arterial Highways.

M-5.5 Freeway Coordination. Coordinate with California Department of Transportation and Transportation Corridor Agencies on plans, construction, and improvements that may impact I-5 and SR-73 ramp operations on and associated intersections.

M-5.6 OC Parks Trails. Collaborate with OC Parks to ensure County-owned trails are enhanced and maintained for the enjoyment of the Laguna Niguel community.

M-5.7 Telecommunications. Coordinate with public and private agencies for the planning and construction of telecommunication infrastructure, such as cellular towers and broadband facilities, to avoid adversely affecting the existing or planned transportation network.

M-5.8 Regional Transportation Funding. Ensure the City maintains eligibility for regional transportation funding, including Measure M-2, and grants while actively advocating for transportation and regional agencies to continue supporting local jurisdictions through funding opportunities.

M-5 Policies
104 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Goal M-6
Preserve the landscaped character and
aesthetics of the City’s designated Scenic
Corridors to strengthen the community’s
identity and provide a visually appealing
experience for residents and visitors.

SCENIC CORRIDORS
Several major City thoroughfares are designated as Scenic Corridors (Figure M-9), recognized for their scenic qualities. These corridors include the road itself and extend beyond its right-of-way, encompassing adjacent landscapes and properties that visually enhance the area and serve as development buffers along urban edges. Their boundaries are generally defined by the extent of visibility from the roadway. The following polices help preserve the scenic value of these community assets.
105MOBILITY
M-6.1 Scenic Character. Preserve and enhance the distinctive aesthetic features of Scenic Corridors, including the
surrounding landscapes and properties that contribute
to the corridor’s visual appeal and provide buffers to
development.

M-6.2 Development Along Scenic Corridors. Ensure zoning regulations and standards for development projects along Scenic Corridors effectively address key factors that could negatively impact the corridor’s visual and aesthetic
character, including grading and landform changes,
building height and placement, signage, lighting, and
landscaping.

M-6.3 Median and Parkway Design. Ensure that City design guidelines and standards for the public right-of-
way within these corridors effectively enhance the
streetscapes. This should include a focus on coordinated medians, parkways, signage, streetlights, sidewalks,
landscaping (including street trees), street furniture, and hardscaping.

M-6.4 Median and Parkway Maintenance. Ensure a high
standard of regular maintenance of medians and
parkways within Scenic Corridors. This includes monitoring for needed improvement or restoration and taking
necessary actions to maintain the scenic qualities of these City roadways.

M-6.5 Utilities Along Scenic Corridors. Collaborate with utility providers to underground, screen, landscape, or otherwise obscure utility and infrastructure equipment visible from Scenic Corridors.

M-6.6 Native and Drought-Resistant Plantings. Prioritize the use of native, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance trees, shrubs, and groundcover planting in landscape projects to reduce water use and promote regional biodiversity.

M-6 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
106
Figure M-9 Scenic Corridors
HighlandsAve
Aliso Creek Rd
Beacon Hill Way
ClubhouseDr
MoultonPkwy
Golden
Lantern
Alicia
Pkwy
PacificIslandDr
Marina Hills Dr
Crown
Valley
Pkwy
La
PazRd
CabotRd
Camino Del Avion
NiguelRd

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
0 0.25 0.5 Miles
San Diego Freeway
San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
Laguna Niguel City Boundary
Scenic Corridors
Local Streets
Metrolink Station
Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by Fehr & Peers October 14, 2025

MOBILITY
107
M-7.1 Appropriate Parking Supply. Use the development review process and City parking standards to plan for new developments to provide adequate vehicle parking supply to meet projected demand.

M-7.2 Efficient Use of Parking. Encourage the effective use of shared parking between existing developments whenever possible.

M-7.3 Blended Use Developments. Encourage large-scale development projects to incorporate varying uses with differing peak parking demand patterns, creating opportunities for more flexible and optimized parking solutions.

M-7.4 Technology and Trends. Monitor and evaluate the development of emerging technologies and other factors that influence parking demand and optimization over time. Key considerations may include remote work, flexible employee schedules, transit and active transportation enhancements, the growth of online shopping, and the progression of vehicle technologies like autonomous vehicles and ridesharing.

Goal M-7
Convenient parking access
without creating undue
obstacles for desirable
development opportunities.

RIGHT-SIZE PARKING
Adequate parking provisions are necessary
for those who rely on vehicles for travel to
homes, workplaces, shopping, recreation,
and other uses. Through effective planning
and management of both public and private
parking, a balance can be struck between
meeting demand and the potential negative
economic, environmental, and aesthetic effects
of parking oversupply.

M-7 Policies
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
108

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
109
04 RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT
[ this page intentionally blank ]

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
110
This Element is designed to protect and
enhance Laguna Niguel’s valuable resources,
both natural (such as biological resources) or
human-made (such parks and recreational
facilities). These resources are essential for
preserving the City’s distinctive character and
providing a high quality of life for its residents
and visitors. Overall, the Resource Management
Element supports the community’s commitment
to environmental stewardship through mindful
conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding
both natural and man-made resources for
future generations.

The Laguna Niguel Resource Management
Element combines the state-mandated
Conservation and Open Space Elements and
addresses the required topics to the extent
they exist in the City. The topics of military
installations, forests, harbors, and fisheries
are not relevant to Laguna Niguel, as the City
does not contain these features. The provision
of water services is addressed in the Public
Facilities and Services Element. Fire and flood
hazards are addressed in the Public Safety
Element. An inventory of open space land is
provided in the Land Use Element via maps and
tables, in accordance with Government Code
Sections 65302(d) and 65560. Chapters 3 and
5 of the ECR provide a more detailed description
of water resources, soils, minerals, and other
natural resources, parks and open spaces.

The City has an extensive network of trails and
bikeways. While these amenities provide a
recreational benefit, they are discussed in more
detail in the Mobility Element.

Organization of Element
The Resource Management Element addresses
each of the topics below as they relate to Laguna
Niguel. The goals and policies of this Element
are organized around the following topics:
• Open Space
• Parks and Recreation
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
• Energy Resources
Introduction
Laguna Niguel is committed to balancing natural resource management with community development. Over 1/3 of the City is comprised of dedicated open space and parks and recreation areas, including natural hillsides, hiking and biking trails, amenitized parks, sports fields, and a range of community-serving recreation facilities.

RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
112
Goal RM-1
A cohesive network of
open space areas that
supports conservation of
natural resources, positively
contributing to the City’s visual
appeal and the environment.

OPEN SPACE
Laguna Niguel values its open spaces, a
defining community feature that significantly
contributes to the City’s character and the well-
being of both the environment and its residents.

The City includes or borders several regional
open spaces, such as Aliso and Wood Canyons
Wilderness Park (including portions of the Aliso
Creek Corridor), Laguna Niguel Regional Park,
and Salt Creek Corridor Regional Park, as well
as an extensive network of public and privately
owned local open spaces. The collection of
these open spaces provide valuable habitats
for wildlife and other natural resources. The
City’s designated open space properties are
identified in Figure LU-3 in the Land Use Element.

While the open space designation typically
pertains to passive use, many of these areas
within the City contain overlapping features.

These often include hiking, equestrian, and
biking trails. Open spaces also often connect
or are adjacent to more active park facilities.

Laguna Niguel is also distinguished by its
scenic resources and vistas (Figure RM-1),
which include panoramic views of prominent
ridgelines, expansive open space corridors,
and lakefront perspectives in Laguna Niguel
Regional Park. From several of the City’s parks
and view nodes at higher elevations, residents
and visitors can also enjoy sweeping views of
the Pacific Ocean, surrounding canyons, and
the distant Santa Ana Mountains. These scenic
amenities enhance the City’s visual character
and reinforce connections to its natural setting.

In addition to their environmental benefits like
improved air quality, stormwater management
(e.g. wetlands), climate resilience, and habitat
preservation, these open spaces also offer
social benefits, including opportunities for
physical activity and improved quality of life.

Protecting these open spaces, scenic resources
and vistas helps Laguna Niguel maintain a
harmonious balance between nature and
urban life.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
113
RM-1.1 Open Space Preservation. Preserve open space lands for recreation, habitat protection and enhancement, resource conservation, flood hazard management, public safety, aesthetic visual appeal, and overall community benefit.

RM-1.2 Open Space Maintenance. Ensure open space maintenance practices that balance biological resource value, fuel modification and fire safety, and community recreation and athletics. This includes engagement and coordination with private property owners and homeowners’ associations.

RM-1.3 New Development. Encourage new development projects, where appropriate, to preserve open space through deed restrictions and private long-term management.

RM-1.4 Mature Vegetation. Avoid removing mature vegetation, which takes significant time to achieve, to the extent feasible. Also, encourage development projects to provide a variety of sizes of new vegetation to balance initial aesthetic landscape value with the long-term health and sustainability of the landscape material.

RM-1.5 Hillside Preservation. Implement the City’s Hillside Protection Ordinance to minimize impacts to sensitive hillside and canyon areas.

RM-1.6 Creek Conservation. Collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions on the conservation management of appropriate portions, including wetland areas, of Aliso Creek, Salt Creek, and Sulphur Creek as a sustainable natural habitat.

RM-1.7 Open Space Regional Collaboration. Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to conserve shared open spaces.

RM-1.8 Sensitive Landform Protection. Encourage new development projects to avoid sensitive habitat areas, protect sensitive landforms, and conserve natural resources as open spaces.

RM-1.9 Rewilding. Explore rewilding opportunities and other ecological restoration projects aimed at increasing biodiversity and restoring natural processes.

RM-1.10
Open Space Education. Promote public awareness about the importance of conserving open spaces like the Aliso Creek Greenbelt, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the Salt Creek Corridor Regional Park.

RM-1 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
114
RM-1 Scenic Resources and Vistas
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Laguna Niguel
Regional Park
Salt Creek Corridor
Regional Park
Niguel
Botanical
Preserve
Aliso & Wood
Canyons
Wilderness Park
Aliso & Wood Canyons
Wilderness Park
Sea View Park
and Overlook
Bad Lands Park
Glider Park (Kite Hill)
Upper Niguel
Ranch Park
Ridge View Park
Reef View Node Park
Long View Park
Lilly Shapell Park
Vista Plaza Park
Lagu
na
Ri
dge Trail
Lon
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iew Par
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rail
Colinas Bluff Trail
Aliso
Summ
it Trail

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group September 30, 2025.

Data sources: City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Laguna N iguel Lake
Scenic Resources
Scenic Vista
Scenic Vista (T rails)

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
115
Goal RM-2
Exceptional outdoor spaces
and parks that support diverse
recreational opportunities,
active lifestyles, and community
health and wellness.

PARKS AND RECREATION
Laguna Niguel differentiates itself through its
diversity and quality of park and recreation
facilities, including City parks, regional county
parks, joint-use agreements with school
districts, and private parks.

The City alone offers over 100 acres of
developed public parkland for indoor and
outdoor recreational opportunities, featuring
active ballfields and sports courts, children’s
playgrounds, an aquatic facility, a skate park,
botanical gardens, and an extensive network
of hiking, riding, and biking trails. These facilities
are tailored to community members of all ages
and abilities, including the Sea Country Senior
Center, which offers recreation and enrichment
programs for seniors. The City also provides
various recreation and enrichment programs,
youth camps, family classes, and special
events, such as concerts in the park.

In addition to City local parks, Laguna Niguel
benefits from several major regional parks.

These include Aliso and Wood Canyons
Wilderness Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park,
and Salt Creek Corridor Regional Park. While
these parks mostly offer passive open space,
Laguna Niguel Regional Park also provides
active recreation opportunities, such as tennis,
pickleball, picnic areas, children’s play areas,
and fishing on the 44-acre Laguna Niguel Lake.

Through joint-use agreements with outside
agencies, such as Capistrano Unified School
District (CUSD), the City has further expanded
community access to recreational facilities by
enabling shared use of parks and sports fields.

Laguna Niguel also has an extensive system
of private parks owned and operated by
homeowner’s associations and other private
entities. These parks include recreational
amenities such as children’s play areas, tennis
and pickleball, indoor fitness and meeting rooms,
and outdoor swimming pool and spa facilities.

Some larger homeowner’s associations include
recreational opportunities for their residents.

Private park spaces also include the 18-hole El
Niguel Country Club golf course and the Laguna
Niguel Racquet Club.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
116
RM-2.1 Park Acreage. Maintain the City adopted standard for park space acreage at

3.0 acres for every 1,000 residents.

RM-2.2 Diverse Recreation Opportunities. Provide a broad range of public recreational lands, facilities, trails, and other amenities for community members of all ages, abilities, and interests.

RM-2.3 Outdoor Recreation Design Standards. Ensure high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities by maintaining and updating design standards for City parks, open spaces, trails, and other public amenities. Incorporate best practices and innovative approaches to public safety, active transportation, and recreation planning to promote physical activity and community engagement.

RM-2.4 Outdoor Recreation Maintenance. Regularly maintain parks, recreational facilities, open spaces, trails, and other public amenities to ensure accessibility and enhance community use and enjoyment.

RM-2.5 Scenic Viewing Areas. Provide public trails, recreation areas, and viewing points that are designed to enhance the enjoyment of high value scenic views.

RM-2.6 Facility Programming. Plan for and provide high-quality recreation and community service programs for community members of all ages and abilities.

RM-2.7 Recreation Programs. Seek community partnerships and/or sponsorships to fund, enhance, and expand City recreation and education programs for all age groups.

RM-2.8 Joint-Use Agreements. Collaborate with public, charter, and private schools on joint-use agreement for shared and enhanced educational, recreational, and/or other public service opportunities.

RM-2.9 Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Consider Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles during the planning and design of new or renovated parks and recreational facilities to enhance safety and deter crime.

RM-2.10 Recreation Types. Provide a broad range of public recreational lands, facilities, trails, and other amenities for community members of different ages and abilities.

RM-2.11 Recreation and Education Programs. Seek community partnerships and/ or sponsorships to help fund, enhance, and expand City recreation and education programs for all age groups.

RM-2 Policies

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
117
RM-2.12 Maintenance. Regularly maintain parks,
recreational facilities, open spaces, trails, and
other public amenities to ensure accessibility
and enhance overall community use and
enjoyment.

RM-2.13 Design Standards. Maintain and update
design standards for City parks and
trails based on proven best practices
and innovations in public safety, active
transportation, and recreation planning
that promote quality of life benefits such
as community health, physical activity, and
social interaction.

RM-2.14 Recreational Funding Opportunities.

Pursue funding from established sources
and explore non-traditional funding options
and innovative partnerships to bolster and
support the development, improvement, and
maintenance of City parks and recreational
amenities.

RM-2.15 Parks and Recreation Public Engagement.

Promote a high level of community
engagement regarding the Park Master Plan
process, park and recreation opportunities,
and facility design.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
118
Biological resources, including habitats and
wildlife, are an important feature for Laguna
Niguel, as they contribute to the natural beauty
and ecological landscape of the community. The
variety of plant and animal species in the local
area is a defining feature of the community.

In particular, the Laguna Niguel Regional
Park is well-known as a premier location for
birdwatching, especially during migration.

Urbanization in Laguna Niguel has broken up
natural habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to
travel across the landscape and access the food,
water, and shelter they need to survive. Through
the protection of biological resources, people
living, working, and visiting Laguna Niguel can
enjoy a harmonious coexistence with the local
wildlife and celebrate their contribution to the
community’s high quality of life.

Goal RM-3
A healthy ecosystem that
provides habitats for wildlife
and biological resources,
enhances environmental
well-being, and complements
the built community.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
119
RM-3.1 Urban Forest. Encourage tree planting both on public and private properties to expand and enhance the urban forest.

RM-3.2 Habitat Conservation. Support efforts to identify and conserve suitable habitats, with priority given to those for rare and endangered species in Laguna Niguel, in accordance with state and federal resource agency requirements.

RM-3.3 Invasive Species. Encourage landscape planting that excludes known invasive plant species.

RM-3.4 Local Coordination. Collaborate with local and regional public and private organizations to implement strategies and programs that protect and preserve biological resources in Laguna Niguel.

RM-3.5 Ecosystem Enhancement. Encourage landscaping that minimizes the need for herbicides and pesticides and that provides food, water, shelter, and nesting sites for birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other creatures that support the larger ecosystem.

RM-3.6 Biological Resources Awareness. Collaborate with agencies, non-profit organizations, and other community groups to promote awareness about steps residents can take to help preserve and enhance biological resources in the area.

RM-3.7 Botanical Preserve. Support the Niguel Botanical Preserve in its efforts to educate and promote the use of native and nectar-producing plant species in landscapes.

RM-3.8 Wildlife Movement. Encourage the preservation of critical wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity as part of the development review process.

RM-3 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
120
RM-4.1 Historic Resources. For qualifying historic structures, evaluate their cultural relevance, physical condition, economic factors, feasibility, and other key considerations when reviewing proposals for major alterations, demolition, or relocation.

RM-4.2 Archaeological and Paleontological Resources. If significant archaeological or paleontological resources are discovered, evaluate their cultural relevance, physical condition, economic factors, feasibility, and other key aspects.

Consider curation in a public location in Laguna Niguel or appropriate institution, as feasible and permitted by environmental regulations.

Goal RM-4
Archaeological and cultural
resources provide valuable
insights into the area’s
rich and varied historical
and cultural heritage and
should be recognized and
considered for preservation.

CULTURAL RESOURCES
Preserving archaeological and cultural
resources in Laguna Niguel contributes to the
City’s unique identity and character. These
resources help link the community to the past,
offering valuable insights into the diverse
histories and cultures that have shaped the
City. By protecting these assets, Laguna Niguel
fosters a sense of community. RM-4 Policies

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
121
Goal RM-5
A healthy and sustainable community
by thoughtfully considering and
addressing the effects of air pollutants
and greenhouse gas emissions.

AIR QUALITY AND GREENHOUSE GASES
Improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are essential to maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.

Air quality is especially crucial in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB), which does not meet certain state and federal air quality standards.

To further improve air quality conditions, regional cooperation among all agencies within the basin is necessary. Laguna Niguel can contribute to the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of strategic land use and transportation policies, such as those supporting active transportation and travel demand management.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
122
RM-5.1 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Collaboration. Collaborate with federal, state,
and regional agencies on matters related to
improving overall air quality and addressing
greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

RM-5.2 Sustainable Infrastructure. Consider
implementing sustainable technologies
and practices in the development and
maintenance of public infrastructure projects.

RM-5.3 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Public
Engagement. Encourage community
participation in air quality and greenhouse
gas reduction planning efforts.

RM-5.4 Sustainable Development. Review new
qualifying development projects to ensure
compliance with State air quality emissions
thresholds and greenhouse gas emissions
reduction targets.

RM-5.5 Air Pollution Education. Promote awareness
of air pollution’s impact on physical health
and the environment, and common best
practices for improving air quality.

RM-5.6 Clean Air Funding Opportunities. Pursue
funding from established sources and
explore non-traditional funding options and
innovative partnerships for clean air and
greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects.

RM-5 Policies

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
123
Goal RM-6
Sustainable energy practices
that strengthen community
resilience, economic
stability, and long-term
energy adaptability.

ENERGY RESOURCES
Sustainable energy practices are important
for ensuring that energy resources can
support future growth in Laguna Niguel. This
includes effective energy management and
conservation methods to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and pollutants and to build a
resilient community.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
124
RM-6.1 Energy Compliance and Sustainability.

Ensure state energy compliance by adhering
to all power generation requirements and
encouraging renewable energy expansion.

This also includes efforts to reduce energy use
in City operations and pursuing partnerships
to improve energy efficiency, storage, and
microgrid solutions.

RM-6.2 Energy Conservation and Renewable
Energy. Encourage energy conservation
and the adoption of renewable energy
practices within the City and by residents
and businesses to reduce reliance
on traditional energy sources, lower
greenhouse gas emissions, and foster a
more sustainable community. This includes
implementing innovative energy-saving
strategies and utilizing renewable energy
sources throughout the community, in close
partnership with other agencies and local
energy providers.

RM-6.3 Green Building Standards. Ensure all new
development projects comply with the
current version of the California Green
Building Standards Code.

RM-6.4 Electric Vehicles. Encourage electric vehicle
use by expanding citywide electric vehicle
charging infrastructure. This includes
the provision of electric vehicle charging
stations at City facilities and encouraging
their installation at workplaces, multifamily
residential communities, and commercial
centers to improve accessibility and
convenience for electric vehicle owners.

RM-6 Policies

125
05 PUBLIC FACILITIES
& SERVICES
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
126
The City is directly responsible for some aspects,
including community buildings, as well as City-
owned parks, open space, trails, and sports
fields (addressed in other Elements). However,
the majority of these facilities and services are
managed by external agencies, such as the
Capistrano Unified School District and utility
providers. Effective collaboration with these
agencies is essential to ensure these resources
evolve to meet the community’s current and
future needs.

While a “Public Facilities and Services Element”
is not an element required by state law for
inclusion in the General Plan, this Element for
Laguna Niguel does address some topic areas
required by state law (for example, water and
wastewater management) and adds value
by addressing the City’s goals and policies for
maintaining and expanding public facilities and
services over time. By working in tandem with
other General Plan Elements, specifically Land
Use, Mobility, Resource Management, and Public
Safety, it strengthens the City’s dedication to
providing efficient, accessible, and community-
focused resources.

Organization of Element
The Public Facilities and Services Element
addresses each of the topics below as they
relate to Laguna Niguel. The goals and policies
of this Element are organized around the
following topics:
• Educational Resources
• Community Activity Centers and Events
• Water and Wastewater Management
• Energy Management
• Solid Waste Management and Recycling
Introduction
The quality of life in Laguna Niguel is significantly influenced by its public facilities and services, such as education, recreational buildings, utilities, and waste management.

PUBLIC FACILITIES &

SERVICES

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
128
Goal PF-1
High-quality educational
facilities and lifelong learning
opportunities that empower
residents of all ages to gain
the knowledge, skills, and
resources needed for personal
and professional successes.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Laguna Niguel recognizes the vital role
education plays in shaping its success.

Education helps to provide the knowledge,
skills, and resources that build self-esteem,
lead to meaningful employment opportunities,
and contribute to a strong local economy. The
City’s educational system provides a strong
foundation for lifelong learning within the
community.

The Capistrano Unified School District
provides K-12 education to residents in Laguna
Niguel and much of south Orange County,
including San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan
Capistrano, Aliso Viejo, portions of Mission Viejo,
Rancho Santa Margarita, and unincorporated
areas. The District includes a mix of traditional
elementary schools, middle schools, and
high schools, as well as alternative schools/
programs including adult education, home/
virtual learning, and special education. Private
and faith-based schools further diversify
educational options within the City.

While there are no post-secondary education
institutions within Laguna Niguel, residents
are served by the South Orange County
Community College District, which includes
Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College, and
Advanced Technology and Education Park
(ATEP). Additionally, numerous other public and
private higher learning institutions throughout
the county provide access to a wide range of
high-quality educational opportunities.

Library services are provided by Orange
County Public Libraries, which includes over 32
public libraries countywide. The Laguna Niguel
Library, located adjacent to City Hall, offers
residents a variety of resources, including book
lending, technology access, and community
programs that support education and personal
development.

PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
129
PF-1.1 Lifelong Learning. Promote lifelong learning opportunities for residents of all ages, including adult education programs, vocational training, community college courses, and library services that enhance personal and professional development.

PF-1.2 Educational Providers. Collaborate with Capistrano Unified School District, charter, private, and faith-based schools, and other educational organizations to ensure that school facilities are maintained and equipped to support high- quality learning environments.

PF-1.3 Early Childhood Education. Collaborate with local childcare providers, preschools, and other early education organizations to promote early childhood education programs.

PF-1.4 Library Services. Collaborate with Orange County Public Libraries to ensure the Laguna Niguel Library continues to offer technology access, diverse resources, and community programs that promote education and personal growth for residents of all ages.

PF-1.5 Higher Education. Collaborate with local colleges and universities, such as the South Orange County Community College District, to foster educational partnerships that support access to higher education pathways for personal and professional growth and a well-educated community.

PF-1 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
130 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Goal PF-2
High-quality community activity centers and
events that enhance Laguna Niguel’s quality
of life, promote a healthy and active lifestyle,
and foster community engagement.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

CENTERS AND EVENTS
Laguna Niguel is committed to facilitating a thriving and healthy community for residents of all ages. The City operates three community centers, Crown Valley Community Center, Sea Country Senior and Community Center, and the Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center. These facilities provide a wide range of amenities and programs for fitness, personal development, and social interaction.

Beyond day-to-day recreational opportunities, the City hosts numerous special events and programs year-round to encourage community participation and engagement. Laguna Niguel is also home to acomprehensive network of parks, trails, sports fields, sports courts, and a skatepark, detailed in the Resource Management Element and Mobility Element.
131PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
PF-2.1 Community Facilities and Services. Support the provision of high-quality community facilities and diverse services for residents of all ages and abilities. This includes supporting the growing senior population and ensuring they have
access to programs and resources that promote healthy
living and community involvement.

PF-2.2 Capital Improvements. Plan and fund the Capital
Improvement Program to ensure the City’s community
centers continue to provide high-quality facilities and services to Laguna Niguel residents.

PF-2.3 Recreation Promotion and Engagement. Encourage public input and participation in City-hosted services and events.

This includes actively engaging with residents through
surveys, social media, and other platforms to gather input on the planning and programming of City-hosted services and events, ensuring they are engaging, family-friendly, and serve the broader Laguna Niguel community.

PF-2.4 Embrace Innovation. Encourage the use of innovative technology solutions to enhance public services, promote of public programs and community engagement, improve
efficiency, and reduce costs.

PF-2.5 Funding Opportunities for Recreation Facilities. Monitor and seek alternative funding sources and grants to support community facilities and services.

PF-2 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
132
Goal PF-3
A resilient, reliable, and
sustainable water and
wastewater system that meets
the evolving needs of the
community and supports
its growth, well-being,
and economic vitality.

WATER AND WASTEWATER

MANAGEMENT
The Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD) is
the regional water purveyor for Laguna Niguel.

This includes the provision of potable water,
recycled water, and wastewater services.

MNWD’s water supply primarily originates
from two distant sources: the Colorado River
and the State Water Project, which draws from
the San Francisco-San Joaquin Bay Delta.

This water traverses across hundreds of miles
through an intricate network of underground
and aboveground infrastructure managed
by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California. MNWD’s potable water infrastructure,
featuring pump stations, reservoirs, and
interconnected pressure zones, is designed to
meet Laguna Niguel’s fire flow requirements
and provide reliable water supply and system
redundancy. The City will continue to coordinate
with MNWD on the planning and maintenance of
Laguna Niguel’s water and wastewater systems.

PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
133
PF-3.1 Water Supply and Wastewater Collaboration. Collaborate with Moulton Niguel Water District and other applicable agencies to support a sustainable and resilient water supply and wastewater future for Laguna Niguel by ensuring:
• A safe and reliable water supply for both fire protection and clean drinking water.
• Upgrades and improvements to the water and wastewater infrastructure, as needed.
• Sustainable water supplies and adequate system capacity. • Proactive planning and mitigation of vulnerabilities to natural disasters and climate change impacts.
• Implementation of effective water conservation and recycling strategies. • Maintenance of sufficient water capacity and pressure for fire protection. • Adoption of innovative technologies to minimize costs, inefficiencies, and excessive water use.
• Compliance with local, regional, and state regulations. • Pursuit of alternative funding sources for infrastructure improvements and renewable energy initiatives, including grants and public-private partnerships. • Wastewater systems designed to minimize inflow, infiltration, treatment volume, prevent contamination, maximize efficiency, and reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Public education initiatives promoting:
» Water conservation and drought tolerant landscaping.
» The use of reclaimed/recycled water, as available.
» Maintenance of a safe and clean wastewater system by limiting the amount of oils, pesticides, and toxic chemicals entering the sewer system. • Availability of cost-saving water conservation initiatives, such as replacing turf with drought tolerant landscaping, use of recycled water, water-efficient appliances, and weather-based irrigation controllers.

PF-3.2 Development Review (Water and Wastewater). Collaborate with Moulton Niguel Water District on future development projects to ensure sufficient capacity and provision of potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services. Additionally, ensure that these projects plan and implement necessary infrastructure improvements to support future water supply and wastewater demands.

PF-3.3 Utility Coordination (Water and Wastewater). Collaborate with applicable stakeholders in the placement and design of utility facilities for new developments to minimize their environmental, aesthetic, and safety impacts.

PF-3.4 Compliance with State Legislation. Ensure the City’s water usage and wastewater treatment complies with regional and statewide regulations.

PF-3 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
134
Goal PF-4
A resilient, reliable, and sustainable energy network that meets the evolving needs of the community and supports
its growth, well-being, and economic vitality.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Laguna Niguel receives electricity services
from two utility companies: Southern California
Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric
(SDG&E). SCE supplies power to the western
part of the City, while SDG&E serves the eastern
portion. Both utilities generate electricity from a
variety of energy sources, including coal, natural
gas, hydroelectric power, and an increasing
emphasis on renewable resources.

The Southern California Gas Company
(SoCalGas) is the natural gas provider for
Laguna Niguel. SoCalGas is the nation’s largest
natural gas distribution utility, serving more
than 21 million customers across 20,000 square
miles of Central and Southern California.

SoCalGas obtains natural gas from various
sources, primarily outside of California, such
as other southwest states, Canada, and
offshore fields. Once the gas enters Southern
California, it moves into SoCalGas’ vast network
of transmission and distribution pipelines and
interconnected storage fields, ultimately being
delivered to homes and businesses.

To ensure reliable and sustainable energy
services for the community, the City will
continue to collaborate with SCE, SDG&E, and
SoCalGas on the planning, maintenance, and
improvement of energy infrastructure within
Laguna Niguel.

PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
135
PF-4.1 Utility Service Collaboration. Collaborate with Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Gas Company, and other applicable agencies to support a renewable, resilient, and cost-efficient energy future for Laguna Niguel by ensuring:
• A safe and reliable supply of electricity and natural gas. • Upgrades and improvements to the utility infrastructure, as needed. • Sustainable electricity and natural gas supplies and adequate system capacity.
• Proactive planning and mitigation of vulnerabilities to natural disasters and climate change impacts.
• Compliance with local, regional, and state regulations. • Pursuit of alternative funding sources for water supply and wastewater infrastructure improvements, including grants and public-private partnerships.
• Implementation of innovative technologies and solutions to improve energy efficiency, conservation, grid reliability, and reduce energy costs. • Public education initiatives promoting:
» Energy conservation and renewable energy options.
» Availability of cost-saving initiatives such as appliance and equipment rebates and incentives.

PF-4.2 Development Review (Energy Utilities). Collaborate with energy utility providers to ensure sufficient capacity and service availability for new developments. Additionally, ensure that these projects plan and implement necessary infrastructure improvements to support their future energy demands.

PF-4.3 Utility Coordination (Energy Utilities). Collaborate with applicable stakeholders in the placement and design of utility facilities for new developments to minimize their environmental, aesthetic, and safety impacts.

PF-4.4 Energy Compliance with State Legislation. Ensure City infrastructure, facilities, and equipment energy usage complies with regional and statewide regulations.

PF-4 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
136 LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Goal PF-5
A comprehensive waste
management program
prioritizing waste prevention,
recycling, composting, and
proper disposal in support
of the environment and
long-term sustainability.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING
Laguna Niguel recognizes the importance
of proactive waste management practices
to protect the environment and supports an
integrated waste management approach
that includes waste prevention (or “source
reduction”), recycling and composting, and
proper disposal of waste. In alignment with the
state’s environmental regulations, the City is
required to implement solid waste diversion
and recycling programs to meet gradually
increasing performance standards.

PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
137
PF-5.1 Waste Management and Recycling
Compliance. Ensure compliance with local,
regional, and state regulations on waste
diversion, source reduction, recycling, and
composting through regular monitoring and
updates to City practices.

PF-5.2 Trash Collection and Recycling Services.

Collaborate with service provider(s) to ensure
the timely and efficient collection of garbage,
organic waste, and recycling.

PF-5.3 Encourage Recycling. Encourage the
use of reusable and recyclable materials
through educational displays and initiatives
and sustainable purchasing policies and
practices.

PF-5.4 Organic Waste. Collaborate with service
provider(s) to collect and compost green
waste, including landscaping debris and
other sources of organic waste, to distribute
for use in parks, medians, and other municipal
areas.

PF-5.5 Fees and Funding. Collaborate with
service provider(s) to periodically evaluate
collection, recycling, and disposal fees to
ensure compliance with state and federal
requirements, align with community
expectations, and reflect cost efficiencies or
increases for services.

PF-5.6 Recycling Education Programs. Promote
citywide educational programs to inform
residents and businesses about proper
recycling requirements, the environmental
benefits of recycling, and available recycling
options and locations.

PF-5.7 Community Clean-up Events. Organize and
support regular community cleanup events,
such as park cleanups and neighborhood
sweeps.

PF-5 Policies

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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
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139
06 PUBLIC
SAFETY
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
140
As a state-mandated element, it addresses
potential short- and long-term risks from
fires, floods, earthquakes, landslides, change
in climate, and other hazards, consistent with
California Government Code Section 65302(g).

Hazards such as tsunamis and dam failures are
not included, as the City is not susceptible to
these risks. Other locally relevant safety issues
important to Laguna Niguel, such as emergency
response, hazardous materials, and crime
reduction, are also addressed.

This Element aligns with related topics
also mandated in the Land Use, Resource
Management, and Mobility Elements, and
includes specific goals and policies for
identifying hazards, reducing their risks, and
ensuring public safety considerations are a part
of the City’s planning and development review
processes.

Organization of Element
The Public Safety Element addresses each
of the topics below as they relate to Laguna
Niguel. The goals and policies of this Element
are organized around the following topics:
• Seismic and Geologic Hazards
• Hazardous Waste and Materials
• Flood Hazards
• Fire Hazards
• Emergency Preparedness
• Resiliency Planning
• Police Protection
Introduction
The Laguna Niguel Public Safety Element focuses on identifying and reducing risks from various natural and manmade hazards, including those heightened by change in climate, to reduce the potential for injury, loss of life, property damage, and environmental damage.

PUBLIC SAFETY

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
142
Goal PS-1
Minimize the risk of injury and damage to property and the environment caused by seismic and geologic hazards.

SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Southern California is a region of high seismic
activity. Like most cities in the area, Laguna
Niguel faces risks from potentially destructive
earthquakes. While there are no active or
potentially active faults in the City, there are
several active faults located within Orange
County. Faults are mapped by the United States
Geological Survey ( https://www.usgs.gov/ ).

Figure PS-1 illustrates the location of nearby
fault zones surrounding the City.

The Newport-Inglewood Fault angles from
offshore near Dana Point and passes through
the northwestern portion of the County and is
believed capable of producing a maximum
credible earthquake of 7.5 magnitude. The
Whittier Fault roughly parallels the Newport-
Inglewood Fault across the northeasterly edge
of the County and the maximum credible
earthquake estimated is 7.0 magnitude. The
San Joaquin Hills Thrust Fault is a southwest-
trending blind thrust fault believed to underlie
the San Joaquin Hills that could generate
an earthquake as large as 7.3 magnitude.

Earthquakes from faults located outside
Orange County can also impact Laguna Niguel.

Depending on their magnitude, earthquakes
can cause minor to severe damage within a
50-mile radius of their epicenter. Active faults
that could impact the City include the San
Andreas, San Jacinto, Malibu-Coast, Palos
Verdes, San Gabriel, and Sierra Madre–Santa
Susana–Cucamonga faults.

In addition to strong ground shaking from
an earthquake, regional seismic activity can
result in secondary impacts to Laguna Niguel,
including seismically-induced landslides,
ground failure, and liquefaction. Figure PS-2
illustrates areas of known seismic hazards
within the City.

Both the federal and state governments have
established regulations and standards related
to seismic safety and structural integrity,
including the California Building Standards
Code, the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Act, and the Seismic Hazards Mapping
Act. The risk of exposure to seismic and geologic
hazards can be reduced by adhering to these
regulations, strategic land use planning
and building construction practices, and
implementation of the following policies.

PUBLIC SAFETY
143
PS-1.1 Geologic and Seismic Hazard Mapping. Maintain Laguna Niguel’s geologic and seismic hazards maps in the City’s geographic information system in concert with updates from the California Geologic Survey and local surveys and update as appropriate.

PS-1.2 Geologic and Seismic Assessments. For development projects in areas of potential seismic or geologic hazards, require geological and geotechnical assessments and compliance with applicable codes and standards.

PS-1.3 Geologic and Seismic Regulatory Compliance. Ensure compliance with the requirements of the California Seismic Hazards Mapping and Alquist- Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Acts and applicable grading, excavation, and building codes to minimize the risks of erosion, slope failure, landslides, and other seismic and geologic hazards.

PS-1.4 Public Education (Geologic and Seismic Hazard). Promote public awareness of seismic and geologic hazards in the community, including associated risks and preparedness strategies.

PS-1 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
144

MISSION VIEJO

NEWPORT
BEACH

SAN CLEMENTE

LAKE FOREST

LAGUNA BEACH
RANCHO
SANTA

MARGARITA

ALISO VIEJO

LAGUNA WOODS

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
IRVINE

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA NIGUEL
74 1
241
1 133
73 133
73 5
405
5 Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
N ewport-I nglewood-Rose
Cany on f ault zone
Oceanside fault
Pelican Hill f ault
San Joaquin Hills t hrust
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group April 24, 2025
Data sources: USGS; City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 1 ½
Miles
PS-1 Geologic Faults

PUBLIC SAFETY
145
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Pk
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Crow
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G
olden
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Aliso Creek Rd
Marina
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Dr
Pase
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Pacifi c Park Dr
C
abo
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La
Paz Rd
NiguelR
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Camino
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apist
rano
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Casal
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illW
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allor
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Vis
Seaglen
Ni
guel Ranch
D
r
El S
ur
Tam
ar
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O
ldRanch
R
d
Kil
lini
Ja
eger
Dr
HiddenHills Rd
Hill h urst D r
Ad
elanto Dr
Sea
n
Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
E
N
in
e
D
r
El Lazo Rd
P
ien za
N
uevaVista Dr
Avi la Rd
Aliso
Niguel
Cl
ubhouseD
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Ivy
Glenn
Dr
Sou
th
Pea
k
La P
lata Dr
Pac
ifi
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sla
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Dr

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Liquefaction Zone
Landslide Zone
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group April 24, 2025
Data sources: CGS Information Warehouse, Seismic Hazards Zonation Program (Dana Point/San Juan Capistrano/Laguna Beach quads); City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
PS-2 Seismic Hazard Zones

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
146
Goal PS-2
Minimize the risk of injury and damage to property and the environment caused by hazardous waste and materials contamination.

HAZARDOUS WASTE AND MATERIALS
Hazardous materials include a wide range of
substances, such as pesticides, herbicides,
toxic metals and chemicals, explosives, and
nuclear materials that can pose significant risks
to human health and the environment. These
materials are commonly used in commercial,
industrial, and manufacturing activities.

Because these materials are increasingly used
in urban areas, there are activities within the
City that could expose residents, properties, and
sensitive environmental resources to certain
risks associated with hazardous materials.

The use, transport, and disposal of hazardous
and toxic substances pose potential risks to
the general population. Hazardous materials
require special methods of disposal, storage,
and treatment. The release of hazardous
materials requires immediate action to
protect human health and safety and/or the
environment.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes
hazardous materials generated from residential
activities, such as paints, solvents, varnishes,
acids, flammables, acrylics, resins, batteries,
and electronics (e-waste). E-waste such as
televisions, tablets, cell phones and computers
can also be taken to a HHW Collection Center.

The County of Orange operates several HHW
Collection Centers to facilitate proper HHW
disposal. Orange County residents, including
those in Laguna Niguel, can dispose of their HHW
items at any of the County’s HHW Collection
Centers.

PUBLIC SAFETY
147
PS-2.1 Hazardous Materials Regulatory Compliance.

Promote proper handling, transport, treatment,
storage, and disposal of hazardous materials in
accordance with applicable federal, state, and
local regulations.

PS-2.2 Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan.

Coordinate with the Orange County Fire
Authority to ensure that businesses that handle
hazardous materials or extremely hazardous
substances at reportable quantities prepare,
submit, and maintain required disclosures and
emergency plans in compliance with state,
county, and local regulations.

PS-2.3 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response.

Collaborate with the Orange County Fire
Authority and other responding agencies to
ensure emergency preparedness and response
strategies are in place to effectively address
hazardous materials incidents in the City.

PS-2.4 Public Education (Hazardous Waste
Disposal). Collaborate with the City’s waste
service provider(s) and the County of Orange
to increase public awareness about the
importance of proper household hazardous
waste disposal. This includes educational
materials on available services, programs,
and disposal methods, while highlighting the
environmental impacts of improper disposal.

PS-2.5 Uses Involving Hazardous Materials. Ensure
land uses involving the storage, transfer,
or processing of hazardous materials are
appropriately located and designed to minimize
risk to nearby sensitive uses.

PS-2.6 Hazardous Materials Cleanup. Ensure that
hazardous waste cleanup sites are remediated
in compliance with all applicable regulatory
agencies or requirements, such as Orange
County Health Care Agency, Department of Toxic
Substance Control, and/or Orange County Fire
Authority, prior to any reuse or redevelopment of
the subject site.

PS-2 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
148
Goal PS-3
Minimize the risk of injury
and damage to property
and the environment caused
by flooding hazards.

FLOOD HAZARDS
Flooding is a temporary rise in water levels that
cause rivers, streams, or drainage systems
to overflow and inundate adjacent areas not
normally covered by water. The City’s Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) identifies the
greatest flood risks in the community, which
are typically caused by damaged, under-
engineered, and/or obstructed infrastructure.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) maintains a database that maps
flood potential across the United States, which
helps cities in planning for flood events and
regulating development within identified flood
hazard areas. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) encourages state and local
governments to adopt floodplain management
programs and mitigation measures. As part of
the program, the NFIP defines floodplain and
floodway boundaries on Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs).

Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding are
designated as 100-year flood zones by FEMA,
referred to as Special Flood Hazard Areas
(SFHA). These zones exist in several locations
across Laguna Niguel, as illustrated in Figure
PS-3. A few areas in the north have a lower flood
risk (0.2% annually) and are designated as 500-
year flood zones. The remainder of the City is
outside of the flood hazards zones and have
minimal flood risk. Floodplain mapping for the
City can be obtained through the FEMA Flood
Map Service Center (https://www.fema.gov/).

PUBLIC SAFETY
149
PS-3.1 Flood Control Regulatory Compliance. Ensure that City regulations related to flood control align with federal, state, and county requirements. This includes monitoring changes in laws and regulations related to local flood protection (e.g., National Flood Insurance Program) and updating the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code and/or the City’s Emergency Operations Plan, as needed.

PS-3.2 Maintain and Monitor Flood Capacity. Coordinate with the Orange County Flood Control District to ensure flood control facilities are properly maintained and functioning. This includes assessing the potential need for increased flood control capacity in response to changing environment and extreme weather, in order to protect the community from flood hazards.

PS-3.3 Storm Drainage Infrastructure. Regularly assess and maintain the local storm drainage infrastructure to identify needed improvements and ensure the system is functioning properly.

PS-3.4 Development in Flood Zones. Ensure all development projects in designated Special Flood Hazard Zones prone to flooding incorporate design features that minimize health, safety, and property risks both on-site and off-site due to flooding.

PS-3.5 Flood Control and Stormwater Management. Ensure development projects comply with state, regional, and local flood control and stormwater runoff requirements and standards.

PS-3.6 Flood Zone Mapping. Coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that Federal Insurance Rate Maps are current and accurately depict flood hazards in the City.

PS-3.7 Flood Hazard Funding Opportunities. Collaborate with the Orange County Flood Control District to pursue funding for local drainage improvements, including Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grants, Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, and the Pre-disaster Mitigation Program, as well as state grants from the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California State Water Resources Control Board.

PS-3.8 Public Education (Flood Hazards). Promote public awareness about flood risks, preparedness strategies, and response measures.

PS-3 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
150
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ultonPkw
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Nig
uelRd
C
ro
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y
Pk
w
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Crow
n
ValleyPkwyA
licia Pk
w
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Ca
mino Del Avi
on
G
olden
Lantern
Aliso Creek Rd
Marina
Hills
Dr
Pase
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Colinas
Pacifi c Park Dr
C
abo
tRd
La
Paz Rd
NiguelR
d
Camino
C
apist
rano
High
lands
Ave
N
iguel Rd
Casal
ero
D
r
Bear
BrandRd
Flyi
ng
Cloud
D
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Ridge
wayAve
Kensington D
r
M
arse
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Kite H
illDr
HugoRd
Clubhous
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Vista Mon
tem
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Beaco n H
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M
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D
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El S
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Tam
ar
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O
ldRanch
R
d
Kil
lini
Ja
eger
Dr
HiddenHills Rd
Hill h urst D r
Ad
elanto Dr
Sea
n
Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
E
N
in
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D
r
El Lazo Rd
P
ien za
N
uevaVista Dr
Avi la Rd
Aliso
Niguel
Cl
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Ivy
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Dr
Sou
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Pea
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La P
lata Dr
Pac
ifi
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sla
nd
Dr

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
100-year Flood Zone
500-year Flood Zone
Regulatory Floodway
Area of M inimal Flood H azard
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group April 24, 2025
Data sources: FEMA NFHL_06059C 03/12/2021, ; City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
unshaded
PS-3 Flood Zones

PUBLIC SAFETY
151
Goal PS-4
Minimize the risk of injury and
damage to property and the
environment caused by urban
and wildland fire hazards.

FIRE HAZARDS
The combination of varied topography, regional
climate, and vegetation renders Laguna Niguel
and surrounding areas vulnerable to wildfires.

These risks are heightened by factors such as
high seasonal temperatures, low humidity, dry
vegetation, and strong winds.

The California Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is responsible for
identifying Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ)
to assess wildfire risk statewide. These zones
are developed using a science-based and
field-tested modeling that considers factors
influencing fire likelihood and behavior. There
are three designated levels of hazard: moderate,
high, and very high.

Laguna Niguel, as an incorporated city, is
classified as a Local Responsibility Area (LRA),
meaning it is responsible for fire protection.

Figure PS-4 illustrates the current FHSZ within
the City, as identified by CAL FIRE and adopted
by the City Council. As shown in Figure PS-4,
these zones include Very High, High, and
Moderate designations located in the western
and southern portions of Laguna Niguel, as well
as an area south of Aliso Creek Road and east
of Alicia Parkway.

In addition to wildland fire risk, the City is also
susceptible to urban fires, which can start when
a structure’s flammable materials ignite and
spread quickly, posing a significant threat to
life, property, and the environment. Urban fire
risk is particularly high in older structures and
neighborhoods built before the adoption of
modern building codes for fire safety. Other
contributing factors to this risk include the height
and use of buildings, storage of combustible
materials, the types of construction materials
used, and whether or not there are sprinkler
systems in place.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) services
Laguna Niguel to provide fire prevention,
protection, and response services. This also
includes community outreach programs and
educational initiatives promoting fire safety
awareness and prevention. Three stations are
located within the City boundaries (refer to
Figure 3-5 in the ECR for their locations). The City
benefits from access to all of OCFA’s resources,
including service calls from stations located
outside of the City.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
152
PS-4.1 Fire Authority Staffing and Resources. Ensure Orange County Fire Authority staffing levels, equipment and facilities, programs, and practices align with the City’s high safety standards, including timely emergency responses and effectively address the community’s evolving needs while providing adequate fire prevention services.

PS-4.2 Wildfire Hazard Mapping. Maintain accurate and current geographic information system mapping of the City’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Upon any designation changes by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, update the City’s geographic information system mapping accordingly.

PS-4.3 Fire-Safe Design. Ensure Orange County Fire Authority review of applicable development projects for fire-safe design, proximity to adequate emergency services, sufficient water supply and fire flow, emergency vehicle access, and visible home and street addressing and signage, in accordance with current California Building and Fire Codes, including local amendments adopted by the City.

PS-4.4 Fuel Management/Modification. Support fuel management/modification requirements consistent with state law and Orange County Fire Authority requirements, and other fuel reduction and weed abatement approaches to reduce significant fire risk. When fuel modification or reduction is required, ensure a balance between fuel management for the benefit of structures and preserving vegetation and sensitive habitats.

PS-4.5 Urban Fire Risks. Coordinate with Orange County Fire Authority to maintain an ongoing fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards associated with multifamily developments, critical facilities, public assembly facilities, industrial buildings, and other nonresidential buildings.

PS-4.6 Critical Facilities (Fire Hazard Zones). When feasible, locate new essential public facilities and infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, emergency shelters, fire and police stations, emergency command centers, communication facilities, and PS-4 Policies

PUBLIC SAFETY
153
utilities) outside of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. If located within these zones, utilize construction methods or other measures to minimize risk.

PS-4.7 Post-Fire Recovery Plan. Collaborate with agencies such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Orange County Fire Authority, and other applicable government and nongovernmental organizations to create a post-fire recovery plan that addresses the full recovery of burned areas and minimizes the risk of future fire damage, mud flows, and repetitive losses.

PS-4.8 Water Supply Systems. Coordinate with Moulton Niguel Water District to ensure the availability and maintenance of adequate water supply systems and fire flow for structural fire suppression.

PS-4.9 Fire Hazards Agency Coordination. Coordinate with federal, state, and regional fire protection agencies on fire suppression, rescue, training, education and to update emergency evacuation and hazard mitigation plans, as necessary.

PS-4.10 Public Education (Fire Safety). Collaborate with the Orange County Fire Authority on public education and outreach programs on fire safety awareness and prevention to minimize risks and potential damage to life, property, and the environment. This includes an emphasis on defensible space and on protecting vulnerable and at-risk populations, such as seniors and those with limited mobility.

PS-4.11 Fire Protection Plans. Require adequate fire protection plans and emergency vehicle access for new development in VHFHSZs.

PS-4.12 Non-conforming Development. Mitigate, as feasible, existing non-conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards, including building design, road standards, and vegetative hazards.

PS-4.13 Access. Require sufficient ingress/egress access points in all new development to support firefighting activities, as determined by the Orange County Fire Authority.

PS-4.14 Fire Hazard Reduction Projects. Coordinate with Orange County Fire Authority to identify and maintain fire hazard reduction projects, including community fire breaks and public and private road vegetation clearance.

PS-4.15 Development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Avoid or minimize new residential development in VHFHSZs as feasible.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
154
Mo
ultonPkw
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Nig
uelRd
C
ro
w
n Valle
y
Pk
w
y
Crow
n
ValleyPkwyA
licia Pk
w
y
Ca
mino Del Avi
on
G
olden
Lantern
Aliso Creek Rd
Marina
Hills
Dr
Pase
oDe
Colinas
Pacifi c Park Dr
C
abo
tRd
La
Paz Rd
NiguelR
d
Camino
C
apist
rano
High
lands
Ave
N
iguel Rd
Casal
ero
D
r
Bear
BrandRd
Flyi
ng
Cloud
D
r
Ridge
wayAve
Kensington D
r
M
arse
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Kite H
illDr
HugoRd
Clubhous
e
Dr
Vista Mon
tem
ar
Los
Serr
anosD
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Beaco n H
illW
ay
Fairlane
Rd
M
allor
ca
Isle
Vis
Seaglen
Ni
guel Ranch
D
r
El S
ur
Tam
ar
ron
O
ldRanch
R
d
Kil
lini
Ja
eger
Dr
HiddenHills Rd
Hill h urst D r
Ad
elanto Dr
Sea
n
Dr
Oakcliff
Dr
E
N
in
e
D
r
El Lazo Rd
P
ien za
N
uevaVista Dr
Avi la Rd
Aliso
Niguel
Cl
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Ivy
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Dr
Sou
th
Pea
k
La P
lata Dr
Pac
ifi
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sla
nd
Dr

MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Fire H azard Severity Zones in
State Responsibility Areas
Very H i g h
High
M oderate
Fire H azard Severity Zones in
Local Responsibility Areas
Very H i g h
High
M oderate
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group April 24, 2025
Data sources: CALFIRE/State Office of the Fire Marshall, State Responsibility Areas effective April 1, 2024 and Local Responsibility Areas effective March 24, 2025; City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
PS-4 Fire Hazard Severity Zones

PUBLIC SAFETY
155
Goal PS-5
A community that is well-prepared for emergency response and disaster management to minimize impacts on persons, property, the environment, and essential services.

EMERGENCY PREPARATION AND RESPONSIVENESS
Laguna Niguel contracts with the Orange County Sherriff’s Department (OCSD) and Orange County Fire Authority
(OCFA) for emergency services and programs.

The City is a member of the Orange County Operational
Area and the Orange County Emergency Management
Organization. Both entities provide “mutual aid” to
communities via OCSD, OCFA, and the State of California Office of Emergency Services.

The City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlines the actions to be taken by applicable staff to prevent disasters where possible, reduce the community’s vulnerability
to unavoidable disasters, establish clear actions for
protecting citizens during disasters, respond effectively to disasters, and facilitate community recovery in the
aftermath of disasters.

The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) was
developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation
Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) and FEMA’s 2023 Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan guidance. The LHMP includes a process
for identifying and profiling hazards, analyzing the risks to people and facilities, and outlines mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate those risks. The Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan can be found at this location: Document Center ( https://cityoflagunaniguel.org/1485/Local-
Hazard-Mitigation-Plan ). The Public Safety Element
incorporates and builds upon the LHMP’s mitigation
policies. The LHMP is required to be updated at least
every five years to maintain eligibility for FEMA mitigation project grants, pursuant to DMA 2000.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
156
PS-5.1 Emergency Services Staffing and Resources. Ensure emergency and disaster staffing levels, equipment and facilities, programs, and practices align with the City’s high safety standards, including timely responses, and effectively address the community’s evolving needs.

PS-5.2 Emergency Preparedness. Ensure the City’s adopted emergency plans, policies, and procedures, including both the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan, are maintained and updated to reflect changing conditions, best practices, and the regulatory environment. This includes ensuring City compliance with Assembly Bill 2140, Senate Bill 379, and any subsequent federal or state legislation. These efforts are necessary to maintaining eligibility for public assistance grants and support the City’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

PS-5.3 Emergency Response and Evacuation. Assess emergency response and evacuation capabilities to address potential disruptions from current and future hazards that may affect the community. If areas with inadequate evacuation routes are identified (see SB 99 Evacuation Routes Analysis), develop appropriate mitigation measures, improvement plans, or education programs to ensure safe evacuation.

PS-5.4 Emergency Transportation Routes. Maintain a transportation network that supports effective emergency response and evacuation operations. This includes maintaining both a primary and alternative mobile Emergency Operations Center.

PS-5.5 Disaster Response and Recovery (Critical Facilities). Coordinate with agencies and service providers to ensure the resilience of essential public facilities, lifeline services, and infrastructure, and plan for the use of critical facilities during post-disaster response and recovery.

PS-5.6 Disaster Response and Recovery (Coordination). Coordinate disaster preparedness and recovery with local key stakeholders (officials, schools, businesses, and organizations), neighboring jurisdictions, other governmental agencies, and utility providers, including through mutual aid agreements with other agencies, to ensure efficient and adequate resources, facilities, and support services during and after emergencies.

PS-5.7 Resiliency Infrastructure. Maintain a local system of public and private resilience hubs, cooling centers, and emergency shelters to provide safe places for residents during hazard events or emergency conditions.

PS-5.8 Public Education (Emergency Preparedness). Sponsor and promote public awareness and training programs focused on emergency and disaster preparedness, as well as response protocols and procedures.

PS-5.9 Emergency Preparedness Information. Maintain an Emergency Preparedness page on the City’s website that provides links to other resources, such as the Evacuation Zones, Earthquake Preparedness, and other emergency preparedness information.

PS-5.10 School Safety (Emergency Preparedness). Coordinate with local schools on their emergency and disaster preparedness programs and response protocols and procedures.

PS-5 Policies

PUBLIC SAFETY
157
PS-6.1 Change in Climate Coordination. Participate in regional discussions and initiatives aimed at reducing impacts from change in climate.

PS-6.2 Flood Protection Resources. Provide flood protection resources and services (signage, sandbags, etc.) at designated public facilities before, during, and after extreme weather events, as feasible.

PS-6.3 Open Space Land. Maintain designated open space land and natural systems as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase climate resilience.

PS-6.4 Energy Supply. Promote plans and programs that increase energy conservation and the use of sustainable energy sources.

PS-6.5 Severe Weather Preparedness. Support individuals with limited mobility or transportation access to emergency shelters during extreme heat or other severe weather events.

PS-6.6 Sustainable City Facilities. Prioritize sustainable and resilient building practices and upgrades for City facilities, infrastructure, and equipment.

PS-6.7 Essential Infrastructure Collaboration. Collaborate with federal, state, regional, and/or local partners to monitor changing weather patterns and evaluate the effectiveness and resilience of existing essential infrastructure and programs in adapting to changing environmental conditions.

PS-6.8 Public Education (Resilient Planning). Promote community awareness of climate-resilient actions that can be implemented by citizens and businesses, such as water conservation, on-site water collection, passive solar designs, and alternative energy strategies.

PS-6.9 Open Space Resilience. Encourage plans and programs that enhance climate resilience through open space strategies.

Goal PS-6
A community that is resilienct
to changing environmental
patterns, including extreme
weather events and other
adverse effects on public
health, wellbeing, and safety.

RESILIENCY PLANNING
As Laguna Niguel plans for the future, state law
requires the City to consider climate impacts facing
California as well as strategies to adapt and be more
resilient to change in climate effects. Due to change
in climate, Laguna Niguel may experience more
intense and frequent heat waves, droughts, wildfires,
severe storms, and extreme weather events. Exposure
to these events can leave a community vulnerable
to increased occurrences of wildland fires, flooding,
reduced air quality, decreased availability of fresh
water, and negative impacts on wildlife. These effects
can potentially generate multiple interconnected
challenges for public health and safety.

PS-6 Policies

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
158

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
Goal PS-7
High standards of public safety through
effective police services, community
outreach, and ongoing evaluation
of programs and practices.

POLICE PROTECTION
Laguna Niguel contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) for police services, which operates from the Laguna Niguel substation at City Hall. OCSD’s primary responsibilities include crime prevention, proactive field patrol, crime investigation, and traffic enforcement. Additionally, the department is actively involved in community outreach programs and educational initiatives aimed at promoting effective crime prevention strategies.

Laguna Niguel has established high standards for public safety and protection, making it one of the safest cities of its size in the nation.

To maintain these high levels of safety, it is essential to continually assess programs, meet response time objectives, and support crime prevention efforts through education and thoughtful project design practices.
159PUBLIC SAFETY
PS-7.1 Police Services Staffing and Resources.

Ensure police staffing levels, programs, and
practices align with the City’s high safety
standards, including timely emergency
responses and effectively address the
community’s evolving needs.

PS-7.2 Monitoring Statistics and Trends. Evaluate
the City’s population growth, development
trends, and crime and service statistics to
ensure that adequate police service levels
are maintained.

PS-7.3 Public Education (Crime Prevention).

Support community outreach programs
and educational initiatives aimed at
informing residents and businesses about
crime prevention strategies, fostering a
collaborative relationship between police
services and the community to enhance
safety and reduce crime.

PS-7.4 Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design. Consider Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design principles for crime-
reduction and public safety benefits in the
design and planning of development projects.

PS-7.5 Transportation Safety Programs. Support
transportation safety campaigns and
enforcement efforts for motorists, bicyclists,
and pedestrians to reduce accidents and
promote safe behaviors throughout the
community.

PS-7 Policies
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
160
161
07 NOISE
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
162
As required by Government Code Section
65302(f), this Element identifies and assesses
community noise issues by analyzing and,
where practicable, quantifying current and
projected noise levels from major noise sources,
such as roadways, railroads, airports, and
industrial facilities, using community noise
equivalent level (CNEL) or day-night average
sound level (Ldn) noise contours. This data
supports informed land use planning decisions
to minimize noise exposure on sensitive
receptors and guides the implementation of
measures to address potential existing and
future noise concerns.

Noise is typically characterized as intrusive,
irritating, and unwanted sound disruptive to
daily life. Noise varies widely in its nature and
impact, ranging from individual occurrences like
a barking dog, to the intermittent disturbances
of passing trains, to the fairly constant noise
generated by roadway traffic. Because noise
can affect nearly every aspect of daily life,
acceptable thresholds are defined based on
land use type and sensitivity. Land uses such
as residential neighborhoods, schools, libraries,
places of worship, recreation areas, managed
care facilities, and hospitals are particularly
sensitive to elevated noise levels.

This Noise Element works in coordination
with other General Plan Elements, such as
Land Use, Housing, Resource Management,
and Mobility, and includes specific goals and
policies designed to minimize noise impacts
on sensitive receptors and effectively manage
noise-generating activities. These goals and
policies are intended to protect existing and
future land uses from excessive noise, thereby
preserving the quality of life throughout Laguna
Niguel.

Introduction
The Noise Element is intended to ensure compliance with state requirements and support a comprehensive, long-range approach to maintaining acceptable noise levels throughout Laguna Niguel.

NOISE

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
164
Organization of Element
The Noise Element addresses each of the
topics below as they relate to Laguna Niguel.

The goals and policies of this Element are
organized around the following topics:
• Land Use Compatibility
• Noise Management Collaboration
Acoustic
Terminology
Stationary noise means a source of
sound or combination of sources of sound
that are included and normally operated
within the property lines of a facility.

Common examples include heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems, loading docks, and machinery.

A-weighted decibels (dBA)
are an expression of the relative
loudness of sounds in air as
perceived by the human ear.

Average noise exposure over a
24-hour period is presented as a day-
night average sound level, or Ldn.

Community Noise Equivalent
Level (CNEL) measures the average
equivalent A-weighted sound level
during a 24-hour day, obtained after
the addition of five decibels to sound
levels in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to
10:00 p.m. and after the addition of ten
decibels to sound levels in the night
between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Sensitive receptors are noise sensitive
locations and uses where human activity
may be adversely affected by nuisance
noise from nearby stationary, non-
transportation, and transportation noise
sources. Examples include residential
areas, schools, libraries, places of public
assembly, and healthcare facilities.

NOISE
165
Goal N-1
A healthy and livable
community by effectively
managing noise through
strategic planning and
regulatory compliance to
safeguard against harmful or
disruptive noise impacts.

LAND USE COMPATIBILITY
The City recognizes that elevated stationary
and mobile noise levels can directly affect
the community’s health and well-being.

Thoughtful consideration of the noise contours
included in Figures N-1 and N-2, along with
the relationship between land uses, allows for
early identification of potential conflicts during
planning and design, which can significantly
reduce or prevent adverse noise impacts.

Both federal and state regulations establish
standards related to noise and vibration. By
complying with these regulations, applying
strategic land use planning, incorporating sound
construction practices, and implementing
the following policies, the City can minimize
exposure to excessive noise, supporting a
quieter and healthier environment. T

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
166
N-1.1 Land Use and Infrastructure Planning. Use City established noise standards and guidelines to evaluate development and infrastructure projects and consider project design features, conditions of approval, or mitigation measures to maintain acceptable noise levels for existing and future land uses.

N-1.2 Land Use Compatibility. Refer to the noise and land use compatibility matrix (Table N-1), prepared by the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation as a guide for assessing land use compatibility. Use this matrix to inform appropriate project design features, conditions of approval, or mitigation measures to maintain acceptable noise levels for future land uses.

N-1.3 Noise Contour Map (Figures N-1 and N-2). Use the Existing and Future Noise Contour Maps when evaluating development and infrastructure projects. The Noise Contour Maps serve as valuable tools for assessing appropriate project design features, conditions of approval, or mitigation measures to maintain acceptable noise levels for existing and future land uses.

N-1.4 Roadway Noise Abatement. Consider noise impacts on sensitive land uses in the design and maintenance of the roadway network. Where feasible, roadway design should minimize noise impacts on adjacent areas N-1.5 Noise Compatibility in Mixed-Use and Multi-Family Developments. Require mixed-use and multi-family residential developments to demonstrate noise compatibility between different adjacent or on-site uses.

N-1.6 Rail Vibration and Noise Assessments. Require development projects located within 100 feet of rail lines (measured from the property line) to demonstrate, prior to approval of sensitive uses, that rail-related groundborne vibration and noise impacts have been adequately addressed.

N-1.7 City Noise Ordinance and Manual. Ensure the City’s Noise Ordinance (Division 6 of Title 6 of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code) and environmental review procedures (City California Environmental Quality Act Manual) are consistent with the General Plan and contemporary best practices.

N-1.8 Commercial Truck Traffic Noise. To the extent practically feasible, limit “through commercial truck traffic” to designated truck routes to minimize noise impacts to residential neighborhoods and other noise-sensitive uses (See Mobility Element).

N-1 Policies
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MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group May 21, 2025
Data sources: MD Acoustics; City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Levels in dB(A)
<45
45-50
50-55
55-60
60-65
>= 65
NOISE
167
N-1 Existing Noise Contours
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MISSION VIEJO

LAGUNA BEACH

ALISO VIEJO

UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE

LAGUNA HILLS

DANA POINT

SAN JUAN

CAPISTRANO
5 73
Prepared for the City of Laguna Niguel by De Novo Planning Group May 21, 2025
Data sources: MD Acoustics; City of Laguna Niguel; Orange County GIS. 0 ½ ¼
Miles
Laguna Niguel Cit y Boundary
Other Jurisdictions
Levels in dB(A)
<45
45-50
50-55
55-60
60-65
>= 65

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
168
N-2 Future Noise Contours
NOISE
169
N-2.1 Freeway and Toll Road Noise Abatement. Collaborate with the California Department of Transportation and the Transportation Corridor Agency to incorporate effective and feasible noise abatement measures into the design and construction of Interstate 5 and SR-73 Toll Road projects that could affect Laguna Niguel.

N-2.2 Regional Noise Coordination. Coordinate with neighboring cities and other relevant public and transportation agencies to address and minimize potential noise conflicts between land uses within and along Laguna Niguel’s boundaries.

N-2.3 Rail Noise Management. Collaborate with Amtrak and Metrolink, the California Public Utilities Commission, and other relevant agencies to minimize community noise and vibration impacts along the rail corridor through Laguna Niguel.

N-2.4 Airplane Noise Management. Participate in efforts led by John Wayne Airport and other relevant air transportation agencies to implement flight paths and operational strategies to minimize noise impacts on residential neighborhoods and other noise-sensitive areas, in compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks.

N-2.5 Mobile Noise Enforcement. Coordinate with Orange County Sheriff’s Department and other relevant agencies to enforce noise standards in the state motor vehicle code and other state and federal regulations for mobile noise sources, including vehicle exhaust systems, speed limits, and other regulations addressing vehicle noise.

N-2.6 Legislative Monitoring. Monitor federal and state legislation and programs aimed at reducing noise impacts that may have implications in Laguna Niguel.

N-2.7 Promotion of Multimodal Transportation. Encourage alternatives to single- occupancy vehicle travel, such as walking, bicycling, public transit, to help reduce the number of vehicles on the roadways and corresponding roadway noise.

Goal N-2
A quieter and healthier
environment for Laguna
Niguel through collaborative
partnerships and effective
strategies to address noise
impacts from mobile sources.

NOISE MANAGEMENT COLLABORATION
Through collaboration with regional partners,
the City strives to minimize noise impacts from
mobile sources along transportation corridors
to safeguard community health and enhance
quality of life. The City also actively monitors
programs and legislation that further advance
noise reduction. Complementing these efforts,
the City encourages multimodal transportation
alternatives to reduce roadway traffic and
associated noise, contributing to a quieter and
healthier community.

N-2 Policies

NORMALLY ACCEPTABLE
Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction, without any special noise insulation requirements.

CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTABLE
New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

NORMALLY UNACCEPTABLE
New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

CLEARLY UNACCEPTABLE
New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.

Note: Where a proposed use
is not specifically listed, the
use shall comply with the
standards for the most similar
use as determined by the City.

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
170
Land Use Category
Community Noise Exposure (Ldn or CNEL, dB)
55 60 65 70 75 80
Residential – Low Density Single
Family, Duplex, Mobile Home
Residential – Multi-Family
Hotels, Motels
Schools, Libraries, Churches,
Hospitals, Personal Care
Auditoriums, Concert Halls,
Amphitheaters
Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator
Sports
Neighborhood Parks and
Playgrounds
Office Buildings, Commercial,
Professional, Medical Office, Food
and Beverage, Service
Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities,
Agriculture
Table N-1: Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Exposure (dBA, CNEL)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
171
08 Economic
Development
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LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
172
While presented as a separate chapter, this
Element is interconnected with other General
Plan Elements, such as Land Use, Housing,
Mobility, and Resource Management, as
decisions in one area may impact economic
development and vice-versa.

The Economic Development paradigm
illustrates the cyclical and interconnected
relationships between economic development
and other General Plan Elements. The goals and
policies of the other Elements, such as Land
Use and Mobility, play a critical role in shaping
economic development in how they impact
the City’s competitive advantages, quality of
life, and overall image and brand. Similarly,
economic development goals and policies
influence the planning and implementation
of the other Elements. In short, economic
development is integral to the overall success
of the other Elements and to achieving the City’s
long-term vision.

Key Opportunities and Challenges
The Economic Development Element has been
developed through input from City staff, key
stakeholders, and analyses conducted over the
past several years on Laguna Niguel’s existing
socioeconomic, demographic, market, and
fiscal trends and conditions. Focused fiscal
and market studies by City-retained consulting
firms identified several key opportunities and
challenges impacting economic growth and
development in the City. They include the
following:
• Affluency and Education. Laguna Niguel
residents are highly educated, with more
than half the population holding at least
a bachelor’s degree, and their average
earnings exceed those of the broader
Orange County region. These higher levels of
affluence and education are reflected in the
industries in which residents are employed,
including the higher-paying industries of
Introduction
The Economic Development Element guides the City’s future policy decisions to support and strengthen the local economy. Although not required for a General Plan, the City has included this Element to recognize that fostering economic vibrancy and resilience is essential to planning for Laguna Niguel’s future.

Economic
Development

LAGUNA NIGUEL GENERAL PLAN
174
healthcare and professional services. At the
same time, the City has a significant number
of residents employed in several lower-
paying industries, including food services
and retail trade.
• Workforce Disparity. There is a shortage
of employment opportunities within the
City that align with the skills of its resident
workforce, leading many to commute to job
centers in Irvine, Los Angeles, Newport Beach,
and Mission Viejo. Although redevelopment
opportunities are limited in a largely built-
out city, and office development has been
a challenged real estate sector, there are
key sites such as the Chet Holifield Federal
Building that present opportunities to attract
the types of industries suited to the City’s
skilled workforce.
• Retail Landscape. The City has a strong
regional retail presence, anchored by
big-box stores, with more retail space per
capita than surrounding communities.

However, there are categories of retail,
such as entertainment and dining, in
which the City experiences considerable
“leakage” of resident spending to other
nearby communities. Opportunity areas
within Laguna Niguel are well-positioned
to become vibrant environments that
combine in-demand shopping, dining, and
entertainment amenities, along with public
spaces and housing opportunities.
• Financial Strength. Laguna Niguel has a
strong revenue base, with the majority of
revenues generated by both property and
sales taxes. The City’s conservative fiscal
reserve policy further supports long-term
financial sustainability. Looking ahead,
anticipated new development, especially
within designated Opportunity Areas (see
Land Use Element), is poised to diversify and
boost tax revenues, reduce retail spending
“leakage”, and even draw visitors and
shoppers from neighboring cities.

GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS

SUCCESS FACTORS

LAND USE

RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT

HOUSING

MOBILITY

COMPETITIVE

ADVANTAGE

QUALITY OF LIFE

IMAGE AND BRAND
Economic Development Paradigm

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
175ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Organization of Element
The goals and policies identified in the Economic
Development Element are focused on key areas
in which the City has the greatest opportunity to
promote economic stability and development,
given its market conditions and position within
the region. These goals and policies underscore
the City’s commitment to a strong and resilient
economy, cultivating a place where workers,
residents, visitors, and businesses can thrive,
today and into the future. The Economic
Development Element is organized into three
goal topics, as follows:
• Support the Business Community
• Stimulate Revitalization and Economic
Growth
• Maintain Fiscal Sustainability