A 24 Hour Fitness is waiting: council introduces ordinances on commercial zoning
The City Council introduced ordinances Tuesday that would create an Indoor Entertainment Overlay Zone at the Mission Viejo Freeway Center, Mission Viejo Village Center and Kaleidoscope, according to the city's meeting summary, which is not the official record until the council approves its minutes.
The package is city-initiated. The Planning and Transportation Commission unanimously recommended the zone change and Development Code amendment on September 14, and the Economic Development Committee expressed support on August 19.
Zoning and parking ordinances
Ordinance 26-364 would approve Zoning Map Amendment (Zone Change) P-ZC2026-0003 and Development Code Amendment P-DCA2026-0005, amending Title 9 of the Municipal Code. Under the proposed text:
- Health/Athletic Clubs would go from prohibited in the CH zone to allowed with a Conditional Use Permit. The city has an application from 24 Hour Fitness that is on hold pending the amendment.
- Hotels/Motels would be allowed with a Conditional Use Permit in the CC and OP zones, where they are now prohibited.
- Second-hand stores would be a Permitted Use in all commercial zones, to match state law (Assembly Bill 2632). Vehicle dealerships would be a Permitted Use in the CH and CR zones.
- The retail parking requirement would drop from one space per 200 square feet to one per 250. Medical and dental offices would go from one space per 150 square feet to one per 200.
Indoor Entertainment is defined as an establishment primarily engaged in indoor recreational, amusement, leisure or entertainment activities. The definition excludes concert halls, theaters, nightclubs, dance halls or dance studios, and karaoke establishments. The ordinance states the amendments do not authorize new construction or expansion of building footprints for the overlay.
Ordinance 26-365 would approve amendments to Chapters 6.10 and 6.65 of Title 6. Ordinance 26-366 would approve amendments to Chapter 12.08 of Title 12, which covers parking permit enforcement. The council also found the project exempt from state environmental review.
Oso Parkway ExtraMile: vote Oct. 27
The council will vote on a resolution denying permit P-CUP2026-0003 at its October 27 meeting, the summary records. The permit would let the ExtraMile at 26302 Oso Parkway, which sells beer and wine, add a Type 21 state license for distilled spirits too.
Council Member Trish Kelley appealed the commission's September 14 approval. Commission members approved the permit by majority, with Vice Chairman Breton voting no. City staff originally recommended denial over public health and safety concerns, then recommended that the council uphold the commission by adopting Resolution 26-48, which denies the appeal and so approves the permit.
The commission's approval carries conditions, including a ban on selling spirits in single containers smaller than 375 ML. Others cover automatic locking of alcohol cabinets, placement of point-of-sale displays and regular meetings with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Housing ordinance adopted
The council adopted Ordinance 26-363, amending Title 9 to carry out Programs 4 and 13 of the city's 6th Cycle Housing Element. Staff's description lists replacement housing, emergency shelters, supportive housing, employee housing, residential care facilities, reasonable accommodations, senior housing, SB 35 and SB 9 implementation, and height limits in the RPD 30, RPD 50 and RPD 80 zones. The council introduced the ordinance September 22.
Hotel tax enforcement
The council introduced Ordinance 26-367, amending Chapter 3.25 on the transient occupancy tax. The rate stays at eight percent of rent. The ordinance would let the tax administrator suspend or revoke the registration of an operator or facilitator that fails to register, file or pay, with 15 days to request a hearing. It would extend record retention from three years to four, and interest would compound monthly.
Contracts and street work
The council awarded $143,500 to Calpromax Engineering, Inc. for the Marguerite Parkway at Estanciero Drive traffic signal modification. Work is expected to start in early December and finish in February 2027.
It approved purchase orders to Tyler Technologies, Inc. for the city's software renewals: $97,670 for the Munis financial, payroll and human resources system, and $95,067 for the EnerGov land management system.
Completion notices for the 2025 Residential Resurfacing project list slurry seal work at a final cost of $1,078,424.93, and asphalt repairs and overlays at $1,581,218.93.
Updates
Senator Catherine S. Blakespear presented the city an $850,000 wildfire mitigation funding check. The council also heard a presentation on the 2026 Walk Against Drugs and presented a proclamation for the 20th anniversary of the Mission Viejo Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee.
The meeting: The council adjourned to October 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Sources: City Council meeting summary, Oct 13 and City Council agenda, Oct 13, City of Mission Viejo.
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