Planning commission approves Magnolia Coast subdivision, grading and coastal permits
January 27, 2026 | Huntington Beach , Orange County, California
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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Jan. 27, 2026 — The Planning Commission voted to approve a tentative tract map (No. 19331), conditional use permit (25-005) and coastal development permit (25-003) for the Magnolia Coast project, a subdivision and preparatory grading plan for the 29-acre former Magnolia Tank Farm at 21845 Magnolia Street.
Senior planner Jason Kelly summarized the proposal, saying the map divides the site into seven letter lots (open-space/park areas) and five numbered residential lots plus one commercial/visitor lot, and that the project implements the city’s previously approved specific plan (SP 18) and general-plan designations. Staff told commissioners the conditional use permit (25-005) would allow import of "approximately 133,425,000 cubic yards of soil" to raise the site, a measure staff said the Coastal Commission required under the specific plan to address future sea-level rise; retaining structures up to 10 feet would be used in places and topped with a 7-foot block wall along the north property line adjacent to the ASCON site.
Staff said the project is consistent with the certified environmental impact report (EIR No. 17O01), the subdivision map act and the general plan. No members of the public signed up to speak on the item; commissioners posed clarifying questions about the retaining wall, contamination barriers and that the item is an early-stage, preparatory action with more applications to follow for future development on the subdivided parcels.
A motion to approve the tract map and associated permits was made and seconded and the commission voted 'all aye'; staff noted the planning commission’s action is final unless an appeal is filed to the city council within 10 days.
What happens next: The applicant will proceed with grading and subsequent development applications; future project elements (streets, individual parcel proposals) will return to the Planning Commission as separate applications, according to staff.
Senior planner Jason Kelly summarized the proposal, saying the map divides the site into seven letter lots (open-space/park areas) and five numbered residential lots plus one commercial/visitor lot, and that the project implements the city’s previously approved specific plan (SP 18) and general-plan designations. Staff told commissioners the conditional use permit (25-005) would allow import of "approximately 133,425,000 cubic yards of soil" to raise the site, a measure staff said the Coastal Commission required under the specific plan to address future sea-level rise; retaining structures up to 10 feet would be used in places and topped with a 7-foot block wall along the north property line adjacent to the ASCON site.
Staff said the project is consistent with the certified environmental impact report (EIR No. 17O01), the subdivision map act and the general plan. No members of the public signed up to speak on the item; commissioners posed clarifying questions about the retaining wall, contamination barriers and that the item is an early-stage, preparatory action with more applications to follow for future development on the subdivided parcels.
A motion to approve the tract map and associated permits was made and seconded and the commission voted 'all aye'; staff noted the planning commission’s action is final unless an appeal is filed to the city council within 10 days.
What happens next: The applicant will proceed with grading and subsequent development applications; future project elements (streets, individual parcel proposals) will return to the Planning Commission as separate applications, according to staff.
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