DANA POINT : Panel to Review Sites for Civic Center

The search for a civic center location has begun.

Starting Tuesday, the Planning Commission will review 14 sites throughout the city as potential locations for the center.

Each of the sites has a minimum of 2 1/2 acres of land, enough for a center of about 30,000 square feet with 120 to 130 parking spaces, according to the criteria for the center outlined by the city staff.

The five-member commission is following directions in the Dana Point General Plan, which specifically cites the need to create a civic center.

City offices are currently housed in a temporary City Hall, which, according to the General Plan, “lacks adequate space for community meetings, cultural events and expanding staff.”

Some of the other criteria used to pick the sites include their accessibility, existing infrastructure in the area, such as sewer and water, and the setting.

The center would house City Council chambers and offices for the police and fire departments, the city clerk and city attorney.

It would also house other administrative offices needed to operate the city.

The Planning Commission is expected to develop a report on the various sites and forward that to the City Council for a final review.

The list of locations includes:

* Monarch Bay Plaza: a portion of the back of the plaza parking lot that is privately owned.

* Camino del Avion near the intersection of Bear Brand Road: a privately owned 4 3/4-acre site currently zoned for commercial use and open space.

* Salt Creek Beach Park parking lot: a portion of the lot now owned by the county.

* Selva Road parking lot: a portion of the Dana Strand Beach Park parking lot owned by the county.

* The Headlands: a section of the privately owned, vacant Headlands property near the intersection of Coast Highway and Street of the Green Lantern.

* Harbor West: several parcels next to the Orange County Marine Institute owned by the county.

* La Plaza: several existing buildings in the center.

* Couplet/Community House Building: several privately owned parcels, including vacant lots and existing buildings.

* Harbor East: the boat storage area of the harbor owned by the county.

* Stonehill Drive at Selva Road: a privately owned vacant lot.

* Capistrano Bay Park & Recreation District-County yard: various sites along Del Obispo Street owned by the district and adjacent area owned by the county.

* Stonehill at San Juan Creek: various privately owned, vacant parcels along the creek.

* Sanitary district parcel: several vacant parcels along San Juan Creek owned by the Capistrano Beach Sanitary District.

* School bus site: the current bus storage area owned by the Capistrano Unified School District.