CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Townhouse Could Fill Empty Lot Near Gallo’s

An empty lot used only during the holidays to sell Christmas trees could be the future site of a seven-unit townhouse with underground parking, city officials have confirmed.

The three-level, seven-unit townhouse project is being planned for 3198 East Coast Highway, next to Gallo’s Italian Deli, according to a city spokeswoman.

A city planner spoke last week to the applicant, who is designing an office addition that would go over Gallo’s building. That addition will be part of the town house project, so the application is not complete, said Tara Finnigan, a city spokeswoman. The town house project would be detached, she said, with underground parking.

The project is in early stages and ultimately would require California Environmental Quality Act documents, she said, meaning it would be months before the city’s Planning Commission would hold a hearing.