20 Old Ranch Road
Project Location
The project site is located at 20 Old Ranch Road within the Bear Brand Ranch community, a gated hillside residential neighborhood in southeastern Laguna Niguel. The property encompasses approximately 13 acres of steep hillside terrain currently developed with a single-family residence. The site is generally bound by large residential lots to the north and south, and a sloped open space lot to the west. The property lies north of Camino Del Avion and east of the Street of the Golden Lantern, near the City boundary, with portions of the site visible from residential areas located downslope within the City of San Juan Capistrano. The project site is designated Residential Detached (RD) in the General Plan and sits within the Rural Residential (RS-1) zoning district.
Project Description
A request to approve Site Development Permit Amendment (SDP 11-01A02) to complete remedial grading on a developed 13-acre hillside property within the Bear Brand Ranch gated community. The grading is proposed to address slope conditions following emergency work performed to stabilize erosion and involves approximately 73,000 cubic yards of cut and 71,000 cubic yards of fill, with all soil to be balanced and leveled on site. The proposed work will occur within an 8.40-acre area and includes vegetation removal, excavation, fill placement, drainage improvements, and site restoration.
The project is designed to improve long-term slope stability while restoring the site’s natural appearance. Grading contours have been planned to minimize visual impacts, and all disturbed areas will be revegetated with drought-tolerant native grasses and groundcover to blend with the surrounding landscape. No new structures are proposed as part of the project. An Addendum to Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND 13-02) confirms that the project will not result in new or more severe environmental impacts, including a review of visual conditions from surrounding vantage points. The analysis determined that the remedial grading and revegetation will restore the site to more closely reflect the previously approved grading and landscaping plans prior to the emergency work. Construction is expected to take approximately 20 days to complete.
Environmental Review
An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND 13-02) was originally adopted in 2013 for the development of the property. The proposed project has been reviewed under CEQA through an Addendum to MND 13-02 prepared by LSA Associates, Inc., which determined that:
- No new significant impacts would occur.
- The severity of previously identified impacts would not increase.
- All mitigation measures from MND 13-02 remain in effect.
Environmental Documents
- Addendum to MND 13-02 (2025)
- Appendix A – Air Quality Model Runs
- Appendix B – Geological Evaluation Report
- Appendix C – Preliminary Water Quality Management Plan
- Appendix D – Revised Preliminary Landslide Grading and Drainage Study
- Notice of Determination (NOD) (filed 09/24/2025 – 30-day filing period under CEQA)
- Notice of Completion (NOC) (filed 9/24/2025)
Project Documents
- Staff Report – SDP 11-01A02
- Conceptual Grading Plan
- Preliminary Landscape & Fuel Modification Plans (Approved)
Current Project Status
Site Development Permit Amendment SP 11-01A02 was approved September 24, 2025. The Notice of Determination (NOD) and Notice of Completion (NOC) for the Addendum to MND 13-02 was filed with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse on September 24, 2025, initiating the 30-day statute of limitations period under CEQA. The required Grading Permit (GRA25-0003) is currently under City review to ensure consistency with the approved Site Development Permit.
City Staff Contact
Kyle Webber, Senior Planner
kwebber@cityoflagunaniguel.org
Telephone: 949-362-4311