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NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES
100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH
ZOOM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2025
REGULAR MEETING – 10:00 A.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
Staff Present (Remote): Benjamin M. Zdeba, AICP, Zoning Administrator
Daniel Kopshever, Assistant Planner
Laura Rodriguez, Assistant Planner
II. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES
None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Zoning Administrator Zdeba noted that, while he did not serve as Zoning Administrator at the meeting on
November 13, he received confirmation that the draft minutes are an accurate representation of the meeting
from Principal Planner Liz Westmoreland who did serve.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba acknowledged receiving a written public comment and agreed with the
suggested changes. No further comments were received.
Action: Approved as amended
IV. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 2 Hale Residence Coastal Development Permit (PA2024-0238)
Site Location: 1402 & 1402 ½ West Ocean Front Council District 1
Daniel Kopshever, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the request is for a coastal
development permit to demolish a two-unit dwelling and construct a new 3,709-square-foot, two-unit dwelling
with 502 square feet of single-car garages and two carport spaces. The property is located in the Two-Unit
Residential (R-2) Coastal Zoning District. A Coastal Hazards Report and Sea Level Rise Analysis was prepared
by PMA Consulting Inc., concluding that masonry block walls with an elevation of 14.4 feet NAVD 88 would
adequately serve as protection devices. The proposal includes a masonry block wall with top of wall elevation
of 15.04 NAVD 88. The project will not result in any changes to the density, intensity or land use. The proposed
residence complies with all development standards; including heights, and setbacks. The project will not impact
coastal access or increase demand for recreational opportunities. Access to the coast is provided on the
Oceanfront Boardwalk and the 14th and 15th Street ends. The nearest Coastal Viewpoint is Marina Park located
925 feet northwest of the site, but the property is not visible from this viewpoint. The site fronts the adjacent
beach and is in the viewshed from the coast, but it is replacing an existing two-unit with a new two-unit dwelling
with a building envelope consistent with the neighborhood pattern of development. Therefore, the project is not
expected to degrade the visual quality of the coastal zone.
In response to Zoning Administrator Zdeba, Assistant Planner Kopshever, reiterated the proposed masonry
block wall with a height of 15.04 feet NAVD 88 complies with the Coastal Hazards Report and Sea Level Rise
Analysis.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR 11/26/2025
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Applicant Brandon Linsday, on behalf of the Owner, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agreed
with all the required conditions of approval.
Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment, the public hearing was closed.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 3 Sjodin Residence Addition Modification Permit (PA2025-0137)
Site Location: 1977 Port Seabourne Way Council District 5
Laura Rodriguez, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the request is for a
modification permit to allow a 358-square-foot addition (17%) to an existing single-unit residence that is
nonconforming due to substandard interior garage dimensions. The existing two-car garage is 19 feet, 4 inches
wide by 20 feet deep where the Newport Beach Municipal Code requires 20 feet wide by 20 feet deep for a
property that is more than 40 feet wide. Due to the legal nonconforming interior parking dimensions, an addition
to the residence is limited to 10% of the existing gross floor area. However, an addition over 10% is permitted
subject to the approval of a modification permit.
Project alternatives that would create a conforming garage include extending the garage walls to the east or
west; however, relocating the garage wall 6 inches east would affect an existing bedroom and relocating west
would encroach into the required 5-foot side setback. These alternatives contradict the project’s objectives by
decreasing living area, imposing costs that are not proportional to the benefits and creating structural
nonconformity. Despite the nonconforming dimensions of the garage, the intent of the NBMC is met through
the existing accommodation of two vehicles within the garage.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing.
Applicant David Hohmann, on behalf of the Owner, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agreed
with all the required conditions of approval.
Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment, the public hearing was closed.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba highlighted Condition of Approval No. 7, which requires the parking spaces to be
used as intended without obstruction. He also clarified that this modification permit is not a parking waiver and
only allows a deviation from the standards for garage dimensions.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 4 Vive Spa Minor Use Permit (PA2025-0167)
Site Location: 410 West Coast Highway Suite E Council District 2
Laura Rodriguez, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the request is for a minor
use permit to allow operation of a massage establishment within an existing multi-tenant commercial building.
The establishment is proposed within a 325-square-foot suite and would operate Monday through Friday, 10:00
a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The proposed hours
of operation are compatible with the surrounding land uses, consisting of offices, personal services, restaurants,
and retail. The site is approximately 120 feet south from residential properties across West Coast Highway and
directly abuts residential properties on the north end of the property off Kings Road. The project will not disturb
nearby residences, as the hours of operation are limited and the establishment is relatively small. Based on the
parking ratio for massage establishments, the project requires two parking spaces. Additional parking is not
required with the proposal, because the suite was previously used as an administrative office, which also
required two parking spaces. The project is not located within 500 feet of a public or private school, park or
playground, civic center, cultural site, religious institution or another massage establishment. The Newport
Beach Police Department reviewed the proposal and had no objections to the project.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR 11/26/2025
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Assistant Planner Rodriguez highlighted Condition of Approval No. 27 requiring the applicant to obtain an
operators permit from the NBPD prior to operation of the business pursuant to Chapter 5.50 (Massage
Establishments) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing.
Applicant and business owner Anh Nguyen stated that she had reviewed the draft resolution and agreed with
all the required conditions of approval.
Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment, the public hearing was closed.
Action: Approved
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The hearing was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
The agenda for the Zoning Administrator Hearing was posted on November 21, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
on the digital display board located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center
Drive and on the City’s website on November 21, 2025, at 11:17 a.m.