San Clemente Council Approves Hotel Plan Amid Resident Outcry

URGENT UPDATE: The San Clemente City Council has just approved a controversial plan for a four-story boutique hotel featuring a rooftop deck, aiming for completion before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The decision comes despite significant resident concerns regarding noise and environmental impacts.

The hotel, known as The Lodge at San Clemente, will occupy a vacant 2-acre parcel along Avenida Vista Hermosa, directly across from the Outlets at San Clemente. This location is adjacent to senior housing and just a stone’s throw from the 1,000-home Marblehead community. In a pivotal vote last week, the council increased the building height from 45 feet to 62 feet to accommodate the new rooftop amenities.

Residents expressed their unhappiness over the unexpected height increase, voicing fears about potential disturbances. A divided council ultimately decided to advance the project without further review from the city’s Design Review Commission, despite calls for a new environmental study to address these concerns.

Councilmember Mark Enmeier defended the decision, stating, “Design Review might make a recommendation we don’t want to do and delay it more. I’d be more in favor of expediting this.” The approval has sparked outrage, with residents like Beverly Wiesen leading a community group threatening legal action if noise and light mitigation measures are not enforced.

Wiesen emphasized the disruption already caused by community events, stating, “We could choose to litigate and force that EIR, and what we’re trying to do is avoid that.” She has arranged a meeting on November 3, 2023, with the hotel’s architect, Tim Fleming, to address these pressing issues.

Concerns about the hotel’s impact extend beyond height. Residents fear the noise from the rooftop bar and lounge could ruin the tranquility of their neighborhood. City Manager Andy Hall is optimistic about finding a compromise, suggesting that enclosing parts of the deck could mitigate sound issues.

Fleming has acknowledged the community’s worries and is considering including an acoustical engineer in the planning process to address sound concerns effectively. “We have discussed putting some of the bar inside and enclosing a portion of the roof deck that would acoustically benefit the community,” he said.

The hotel aims to provide a public space that enhances San Clemente’s appeal, with plans for a rooftop deck offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Fleming believes this feature could transform the hotel into a significant destination. “Having a rooftop deck with a bar, a lounge, and food is giving us another type of space to go to with a spectacular view,” he stated.

Mayor Steve Knoblock expressed confidence that a resolution can be reached, highlighting the potential for increased sales tax revenue to benefit San Clemente. “The goal is to have it for the 2028 Olympics; that’s why we want to get it built,” he remarked.

As the situation develops, residents are keenly watching how their concerns will be addressed. The outcome of the upcoming meeting on November 3 could dictate the future of The Lodge at San Clemente and its impact on the local community.