Jack’s Sport & Surf hearing put on hold

The Planning Commission postponed the scheduled hearing Wednesday on Jack’s Sport & Surf bid to open a shop in Laguna, at the request of the applicant.

The request was based on the absence of commission Chairman Rob Zur Schmiede. With just four commission members in attendance, the vote could result in a 2-2 tie, which is an automatic denial.

A previous application that included converting resident serving businesses to the proposed sale of sport and surfing equipment and apparel was denied by the commission, as recommended by staff, in June. The denial was appealed to the City Council, but withdrawn before the hearing.

The revised application scheduled for Wednesday’s meeting did not include the conversion of the two small businesses adjacent to the large building formerly occupied by Big Dog on Ocean Avenue, a street designated for resident-serving uses.

However, staff again recommended denial of the project, concluding it does not comply with the policies of the Downtown Specific Plan and justification cannot be made to grant a requested variance from parking standards.

Staff also concluded that Jack’s Surf & Sport is a formula-based business — there are four other Jack’s in South County that share a mass marketing approach, offering standardized merchandise, services and décor, which the specific plan discourages.

Applications also can be denied if the commission or the council determines downtown would be saturated by the addition of another store to similar ones already in business.

Existing surf and/or sport shops downtown include Hobie Sports and Quicksilver Boardriders Club on Forest Avenue and Toes on the Nose on South Coast Highway.

Staff also pointed out that a number of established stores near the proposed project sell other items offered by Jack’s, including sunglasses, women’s and children’s clothing and bathing suites, jewelry, and shoes, which staff determined would create a cumulative effect that might adversely affect the desired diversity downtown meant to keep the area vibrant.

The hearing was rescheduled for Oct. 10. For more information, call Planning Administrator Ann Larson at (949) 497-0320.