HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-16 - Approval of SUP for Sober Living Home at 1601 Baker StreetRESOLUTION N0. 2026-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, UPHOLDING THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO
UPHOLD THE HEARING OFFICER'S APPROVAL OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT PGSH-
24-0002 TO ALLOW A SOBER LMNG HOME WITH SIX OR FEWER PERSONS (NOT
COUNTING THE HOUSE MANAGER) TO BE LOCATED AT 1601 BAKER ST
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY FINDS AND
DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2024, Planning Application PGSH-24-0002 was filed by
George Vilagut, as applicant, property owner, and sole owner of Stephouse Recovery,
Inc., requesting approval of Planning Application PGSH-24-0002 for a Special Use Permit
(SUP) to allow the operation of a sober living home with six or few persons (not counting
the house manager) at 1601 Baker Street; and
WHEREAS, staff reviewed the application and supporting materials and
determined that the project satisfies the provisions and requirements of CMMC Section
13-311, subsections (a) and (b), and that no disqualifying grounds had been identified;
and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2025, a duly noticed public hearing was held before a
Hearing Officer, acting as designee of the Director of Economic and Development
Services, to consider SUP Application No. PGSH-24-0002, with all persons having the
opportunity to submit written comments for and against the proposal, pursuant to Costa
Mesa Municipal Code Section 13-311, for the purpose of receiving information regarding
the Applicant's compliance with the applicable provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of
Section 13-311 ; and
WHEREAS, on December 23, 2025, the Director provided a written notice to the
applicant and the owners and occupants of all properties within 500 feet of the location of
the sober living home that the SUP was going to be approved based on compliance with
Costa Mesa Municipal Code Section 13-311, subject to conditions of approval and CMMC
requirements; and
WHEREAS, on January 5, 2026, the Hearing Officer issued SUP PGSH-24-0002;
and
Resolution No. 2026-16 Page 1 of 3
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2026, Mayor Stephens submitted a timely "Application
for Review" of the Hearing Officer's approval of SUP PGSH-24-0002 pursuant to CMMC
Title 2, Chapter IX; and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing was held by the Planning Commission
on February 23, 2026, with all persons having the opportunity to speak for and against
the proposal; and
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2026, the Planning Commission upheld the decision
of the Hearing Officer's approval of Special Use Permit PGSH-24-0002 to allow a sober
living home with six or fewer persons (not counting the house manager); and
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2026, Council Member Buley submitted a timely
"application for review" of the Planning Commission's decision in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing was held by the City Council on May 5,
2026, with all persons having the opportunity to speak for and against the proposal; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the
project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Sections 15268 (Ministerial
Projects) and 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
WHEREAS, the CEQA categorical exemption for this project reflects the
independent judgement of the City of Costa Mesa; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the application meets the criteria for
issuance of the SUP pursuant to CMMC Section 13-311.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA
HEREBY RESOLVES as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that based on the evidence in the record, the City Council
hereby UPHOLDS THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION ON SUP PGSH-24-
0002.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any section, division, sentence, clause,
phrase or portion of this resolution, or the document in the record in support of this
resolution, are for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the va(idity of the remaining
provisions.
Resolution No. 2026-16 Page 2 of 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5'h day of May, 2026.
JMK Stephens, Mayor
ATTEST:APPROVED AS TO FORM:
t:CClerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY' OF ORANGE )
CITY' OF COSTA MESA )
SS
1, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 2026-16 and was duly
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting
held on the 5'h day of May, 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: GAMEROS, MARR, PETTIS, REYNOLDS, CHAVEZ,
AND STEPHENS.
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BULEY.
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 6'h day of May, 2026.
"!:'eQE,"ityClerk
Resolution No. 2026-16 Page 3 of 3