Planning Commission to review proposed Downtown Specific Plan revisions

By BARBARA DIAMOND

After years of reviewing the Downtown Specific Plan chapter by chapter, the Planning Commission on Wednesday will get a look at the entire package. 

The commission will review the proposed changes, accumulated from numerous public workshops, hearings, and recommendations from consultants. A draft of the proposed plan was made public on August 1 and can be reviewed at www.lagunabeachcity.net.

“This is a legacy document and we don’t want it to be flawed,” said Ken Sadler, commission chair. “We’ve been at this for five years and we want it to be a successful resource that means something.”

As for the procedure Wednesday night, Sadler said, “Here’s what I think: we’ll open up the meeting for public comment, have some commission discussion, and then kick it back to the staff to review all they heard and the correspondence.” 

The plan’s primary purpose is to preserve and enhance the unique character of the downtown, which includes the Arts District and the Central Bluffs. 

First adopted in 1989, the plan has undergone changes, so has the downtown. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Downtown area

The proposed plan allows more diverse uses in the Downtown Specific Plan Area without requiring a conditional use permit. The plan also allows second and third stories in specific locations for housing. Heights of 24 and 36 feet would be permitted to accommodate the housing.

Planned Integrated Development Standards deals with large developments, usually under single ownership in the Arts District and the Central Bluffs – which would include properties along Laguna Canyon Frontage Road and Coast Highway owned Laguna Beach Company.

The Urban Vision Chapter in the proposed plan includes both vision and guidelines. Vision refers to the look and feel of the downtown; guidelines tell how to realize the vision. 

If the plan were to be adopted in its present iteration, parking would not be determined by the use of the property. 

South Laguna resident John Thomas posited in an email that the less restrictive requirement proposed might have unintended consequences.

“The effect of the plan may very well be to drive out current low density uses like clothing stores and art galleries to be replaced by higher density bars and restaurants, which would increase traffic and congestion and at the same time reduce the amount of parking that currently exists,” Thomas wrote. 

The Ad Hoc Committee on DTSP revisions suggests that additional hearings on parking would be advisable, not to mention other concerns.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Parking concerns

“We don’t like the Urban Design section at all,” said Ad Hoc Committee member Norm Grossman, a former planning commissioner. 

Sadler said the Ad Hoc Committee’s input was valuable. 

“We incorporated many of their suggestions in our recommendations to staff,” said Sadler. 

A 25-member Chamber of Commerce Urban Design Committee also takes exception to the section.

“An alternate plan was presented by the committee, but it has been totally ignored by the staff,” said Grossman. 

The original Downtown Specific Plan was the result of several years’ work in the 1980s by a Citizen’s Advisory Committee, with some of the same members now on the Ad Hoc Committee. It was created as a guide for the growth, design, and development standards in downtown Laguna Beach, primarily to preserve and enhance the unique character of the downtown. 

The plan has been amended throughout the years, most recently in 2008.

In 2012 the council directed the planning commission to amend the plan.  Eight public workshops were held in 2012 and 2013. Subsequently, MIG was hired to consult on the revisions to the plan. From 2015 to 2018, the commission and the public reviewed MIG’s  proposals, chapter by chapter. 

The draft to be reviewed Wednesday incorporates revisions based on prior direction from the commission and public input.

City Council/Design Review Board met jointly to discuss issues

By BARBRA DIAMOND

The City Council and the Design Review Board met jointly on August 6 to air issues related to the board and the review process. 

Four items were submitted by the board for discussion: legal representation at the meetings; council feedback; Phase II streamlining, to help brainstorm and assess potential issues; and public communication. The board is opposed to transferring some of its oversight to the Planning Commission, as is proposed in the “streamlining” process. 

“I think little was accomplished to address issues raised by the board,” said Verna Rollinger, former city clerk, council member and one of the dozen members of the pubic that attended the 4 p.m. meeting.

Item one

Board member Deborah Neev said some issues before the board would benefit from the presence of a city attorney, who could advise on legal issues there and then, without having to continue the hearing. 

“We have to rely on staff to tell us when something contentious is coming up,” said board Chair Meg Monahan, former city deputy clerk. “Sometimes both sides have attorneys and it would be nice [for the board] to have backup.”

Board member Louis Weil said delays also can result when documents are submitted to the board 20 minutes before the meeting. 

City Manager John Pietig supported the notion of an attorney at the meetings a couple of times a year, but a full-time attorney would cost the city $4,000 for 45 hours a month.

“I would prefer to use attorneys to disarm the DRB so residents wouldn’t need lawyers,” said Councilman Peter Blake.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman reiterated her concern that what is wrong with the process is the time and money it takes to get a project on the DRB’s agenda, not the board.

Mayor Bob Whalen said the consensus supported an attorney at the meetings on an as-needed basis.

Item two

Council feedback on the board and its review process was second on the agenda. 

“I don’t think people should think the streamlining process as an indictment of the board,” said Councilwoman Sue Kempf. “When we are talking about process, we are not talking about the board.” 

Neev expressed disappointment that the building department was not at the table for the discussion of the process. Some delays can be attributed to projects not sticking to approved plans, caught by building inspectors and brought back to the board, she said.

“Are you saying that approved plans get changed out in the field?” asked Whalen.

“Builders don’t always stick to approved plans,” said Community Development Department Director Greg Pfost, whose duties include overseeing the building department. 

If the department gets a call complaining that a window is where it shouldn’t be or a structure is too high, his department can put a stop work order on the job. 

Board member Kris Thalman said people just want to know what the rule is. 

“Streamlining may show us how to be clearer and clean up inconsistencies.” 

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow said design review is a discretionary process, which allows some leeway.

 Neev stated the city needs to resolve differences with the California Coastal Commission 

That is in the works, according to Pfost. And the city is getting favorable reactions to a community survey that is reviewed weekly by his department, he said. 

Item three

Monahan suggested establishing a Phase II Streamlining Subcommittee to help brainstorm and assess potential issues.

“I recommend we have one member of DRB and one member of the Planning Commission to discuss issues before [an ordinance] goes on an agenda,” said Monahan. “We are the ones in the trenches and involved with a lot of these issues. It would be helpful for us to be involved before an ordinance is approved.”

Dicterow said he wanted the board’s input. Blake said it would be like putting an arsonist in charge of putting out a fire.

Public communication

Heisler Building owner Sam Goldstein said the city as a whole does not want to get rid of the board, but some plans could be approved over the counter and appealed if necessary to the council or the board. 

“DRB is not re-DRB,” said former board member Bob Chapman. “The process should be a way to approve designs. 

“Lot coverage should be a criterion, not the square footage of the structure.”

John Thomas stated there are a lot of changes after a DRB decision has been made. 

“I hope that will be addressed in streamlining,” said Thomas. 

The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.

City Manager’s Updates

CERT Registration Now Open – The Laguna Beach Police Department in collaboration with the Laguna Beach Fire Department is excited to announce registration for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course. 

A Community Emergency Response Team is an organized and trained group of volunteers ready to assist in case of a disaster. The CERT program consists of 25 hours of classroom and hands-on training, concluding with an exercise drill to apply the skills and knowledge obtained during the classroom sessions.

 Training will begin on Tuesday, Sept 3. Classes will then meet weekly from 6 to 9 p.m., including two Saturday morning meetings. The final exercise/drill takes place on Saturday, Oct 5. Mandatory attendance is required at all classes.

Training includes the following topics: Disaster Preparedness Fire Safety Disaster Medical Operations Light Search and Rescue CERT Organization Disaster Psychology CERT and Terrorism Traffic Control and Scene Management Training will begin on Tuesday, September 3. Classes will then meet weekly from 6 to 9 p.m., including two Saturday morning meetings. 

To be considered for this training, you must be a resident of Laguna Beach or work within the city limits, be at least 18 years old, and have no felony convictions. 

Applications must be submitted through the online recreation class sign-up at http://bit.ly/2tmh9vi. All individuals will receive a confirmation email if accepted into the program. 

Wildlife Information – It was reported on Tuesday that there were three mountain lion sightings recently reported to the police department over four days. All three of those mountain lion sightings were unfounded. 

According to wildlife experts, Laguna Beach Animal Services staff, and OC Parks staff, there hasn’t been an actual mountain lion observed in the wilderness areas near Laguna Beach in over 20 years. Most of the mountain lion sightings are actually bobcats, or in some cases coyotes. 

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Photo by Ryan Moran 

A former coyote sighting in North Laguna 

To assist in providing residents with information about coyotes and bobcats, Laguna Beach Animal Services will be conducting a Living with Wildlife Community Workshop at Alta Laguna Park (Top of the World) on Wednesday, Aug 21 at 5 p.m.

Does Your Mobile Contractor Have a Business License to Work in Laguna Beach? – Mobile contractors like gardeners, landscapers, carpet cleaners, mobile car detailers, and swimming pool or pond services all need to hold a Laguna Beach Business License to operate within the City. 

A business license ensures contractors are aware of the City’s regulations and guidelines to avoid the illegal discharge of fertilizers, pesticides, lawn, dirt, sediment, organic materials, and cleaning chemicals to the streets and gutters that drain to the ocean. Educating contractors prior to beginning work helps protect the storm drain system and protects from potential violations and enforcement actions by the City. 

Residents and businesses are responsible for the actions of their contractors and have a responsibility to ensure that their contractors are aware of local regulations. More information on the City Business Licensing process can be found here. 

Police Department Participates in Pink Patch Project – The Laguna Beach Police Department is excited to announce its participation in the Pink Patch Project. In an effort to show support and bring awareness to breast cancer, the Laguna Beach Police Department had designed its very first pink patch which will be worn by officers in the month of October. 

As part of the program, these patches are available for purchase. All proceeds from the sales will be donated to a local charity for breast cancer research and awareness. 

To purchase a pink patch, visit www.lbpdpinkpatch.com. Patches are also available for purchase at the front counter of the Laguna Beach Police Department. 

SCE Pole Replacement – On Thursday, Aug 22, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Southern California Edison (SCE) will be replacing a utility pole located at 1545 Bluebird Canyon Drive. 

A portion of Bluebird Canyon Drive, east of Morningside Drive, will be closed during the work. Detour signs will be posted alerting residents of the temporary road closure. 

For questions or concerns, contact SCE’s Customer Service number at (800) 655-4555.

City releases draft Downtown Specific Plan

The City of Laguna Beach has released its draft Downtown Specific Plan (DSP), a planning document that serves to guide growth, design, and development standards in downtown Laguna Beach. Its primary objective is to preserve and enhance the unique character of the downtown.

How does the community benefit from the DSP?

The DSP document will be used by the City Council, Commissions, and Committees, City Staff, residents, property owners, businesses, developers, and other government entities as the land use and design policy document defining downtown development over the next 20 years. 

The DSP also identifies priorities for public improvements to the downtown area. This document was formulated as a result of a multi-year process that included a large number of public outreach workshops, stakeholder meetings and interviews, and both City Council and Planning Commission meetings. 

It is intended to provide a clear understanding of the vision that the community has set for the future of downtown Laguna Beach.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The DSP will guide growth, design, and development standards in downtown Laguna 

What is the history of the DSP document?

The City formally recognized the need for a specific plan for the downtown in 1983 with adoption of the Land Use Element of the General Plan. In 1989, the Downtown Specific Plan was first approved, and has been subsequently amended, including a comprehensive amendment in 2000, which included the expansion of the Plan boundary to the Boys & Girls Club on Laguna Canyon Road and the creation of the Civic Art District. 

The Downtown Specific Plan has been successful in preserving the look and feel of a traditional downtown.

What are the key updates to the Downtown Specific Plan?

The changing nature of commerce, housing, transportation, and circulation necessitates revisions that support flexibility to meet rapidly changing resident and visitor needs and to enhance vitality, while maintaining the special qualities of the downtown. As a result of community input gleaned throughout the planning process, several enhancements proposed in this Specific Plan update include:

1. Allowing for changes in permitting requirements to occur on an as-needed basis in order to incentivize or limit certain land uses in the downtown.  Specifically, a new procedure is proposed that allows land use permitting requirements to be changed (i.e. from requiring a Conditional Use Permit to being permitted-by-right, or vice versa) by City Council Resolution, upon recommendation by the Planning Commission, on an annual or as-needed basis based on staff/consultant recommendation. 

2. Fostering opportunities and promoting diversity in housing type and affordability as part of mixed-use development and conversion of existing second-story buildings to help fulfill the need for downtown housing with access to services and transportation. 

3. Providing for greater flexibility in development standards such as increased building height and simplified parking requirements to meet future needs and growth. 

4. The draft DSP update includes revised height standards based upon specific street location and criteria. For more information about the proposed building height standards, see pages 113, 161-162 of the draft DSP document. In addition, parking requirements are proposed to be reduced for certain non-residential uses such as office, retail, and food services.

5. Establishing an urban design framework that identifies key opportunity sites and provides recommendations on pedestrian and streetscape improvements, such as pedestrian crossings, improved alleyways, and public parklets to make the area more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming for residents and visitors.

6. Revising urban design guidelines to provide further direction on elements such as site design, architecture, and open space to property owners, developers, designers, City staff, and appointed and elected officials involved in review of proposed development projects. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The DSP has been successful in preserving the look and feel of a traditional downtown

7. Rebranding of the former Civic Art District as the Arts District to encourage a greater focus on art and cultural uses and to nurture a culture of creativity. 

8. Updating flexible criteria and development standards for proposed planned integrated developments that incorporate public amenities and/or benefits in special planning areas such as the Arts District and Central Bluffs District. 

The full draft DSP document is being released in advance of the August 21 Planning Commission meeting, where the Commission will conduct their initial review and provide direction to staff on any modifications if needed. 

Staff will be recommending that the item return to the Planning Commission at a meeting in October for subsequent review of the final draft, including environmental review (CEQA), and recommendation to the City Council.

For more information or to view a copy of the public review Draft Downtown Specific Plan, click here or contact Wendy Jung, Senior Planner, at (949) 497-0321 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

City Manager’s Updates

If You See Something, Say Something – Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cities of El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. A localized version of the nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something” anti-terrorism public awareness campaign is being promoted in Orange County called Keep OC Safe. 

The program is focused on delivering the message to local citizens that an alert public plays a critical role in keeping our community safe. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) national anti-terrorism public awareness initiative has two primary focuses. 

The first is to raise public awareness of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime. The second is to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities. In Orange County, “If You See Something, Say Something” provides guidance to citizens on how to report questionable behavior or situations such as an unattended backpack in a public place or someone trying to break into a restricted area. 

Visit www.keepocsafe.org for more information about the campaign; a list of key indicators of questionable activity; and links to local, regional, and national crime prevention resources. 

Watch a video on the Orange County campaign on the City of Laguna Beach’s YouTube Channel here. 

Village Entrance Art in Public Places – On Monday, Aug 12, the Arts Commission will review a proposal concept by Marc Fornes for an Art-in-Public Places installation to be located in the Village Entrance. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave, at 5:30 p.m. The concept proposal can be viewed here. 

Draft Downtown Specific Plan Released – The City of Laguna Beach has released its Draft Downtown Specific Plan (DSP), a planning document that serves to guide growth, design, and development standards in Downtown Laguna Beach. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The City has released its Draft Downtown Specific Plan serving to guide downtown growth and development standards 

Its primary objective is to preserve and enhance the unique character of the downtown. The DSP document will be used by the City Council, Commissions and Committees, City Staff, residents, property owners, businesses, developers, and other government entities as the land use and design policy document defining downtown development over the next 20 years. 

The DSP also identifies priorities for public improvements to the downtown area. The full draft DSP document is being released in advance of the August 21 Planning Commission meeting, where the Commission will conduct its initial review and provide direction to staff on any modifications if needed before recommendations are eventually made to the City Council.

For more information or to view a copy of the public review Draft Downtown Specific Plan, click here or contact Wendy Jung, Senior Planner, at (949) 497-0321 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Police Academy Graduation – After six months of intense training, Police Officer Recruit Tanner Flagstad will be graduating from the Golden West College Police Academy on Friday, Aug 9, at 10 a.m. Tanner has previously served as an Explorer, Cadet, and Beach Patrol Officer at LBPD. Please welcome him back (again) to the Laguna Beach Police Department.

Public Invited to Take Community Development Questionnaire – If you have recently interacted with the City of Laguna Beach Community Development Department you are invited to take a new customer service questionnaire about your experience. You can take the survey here or at a new kiosk in the lobby of City Hall. This questionnaire is a tool to help the City enhance customer service, streamline development approval procedures, and improve project turnaround time as part of a new Community Development Department Action Plan.

National Night Out Community Event a Success – Congratulations to all who participated in Tuesday’s ‘Guns N’ Hoses’ National Night Out softball game! The Laguna Beach Police Department was victorious over the Fire Department at the community event held at the Laguna Beach High School Baseball Field. 

National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. This event enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. 

West Nile Virus Detected in Orange County – The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) has confirmed the first mosquito sample to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in 2019. The mosquitoes were collected from the city of Orange at El Camino Real Park on July 30. 

The District has also confirmed nine birds with West Nile virus in the cities of Cypress, Buena Park, Huntington Beach, and Tustin. There are no confirmed cases of human infections currently in Orange County. 

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans via the bite of infected mosquitoes, which become infected when feeding on birds carrying the virus. Young children, the elderly, or individuals with lowered immune systems are at greater risk to experience severe symptoms when infected. Around the home, eliminating breeding sources for mosquitoes is critical: dump and drain containers filled with water at least once a week, clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls weekly, and dump water from potted plant saucers. 

Orange County residents are urged to report unusual numbers of mosquitoes to OCMVCD. For more information, please contact the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District at (714) 971- 2421 or (949) 654-2421 or visit www.ocvector.org. 

SCE Pole Replacements – Southern California Edison (SCE) will be replacing two utility poles located at 216 and 406 Canyon Acres Dr on Tuesday, Aug 13, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Portions of Canyon Acres Drive will be blocked, and personnel will be directing traffic. 

For questions or concerns, contact SCE’s Customer Service number at (800) 655-4555.

Park Avenue Roadwork – From Monday, Aug 12, to Friday, Aug 16, street repairs will be conducted on Park Avenue between Wendt Terrace and Short Street. Traffic impacts can be anticipated during lane closure hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Engineering Technician Alpha Santos at (949) 497-0729 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Street Resurfacing in Coast Royal and South Laguna Village Neighborhoods – On Monday, August 19, preparatory work for the repair and resurfacing of roadways in the Coast Royal and South Laguna Village neighborhoods will begin. Preliminary construction notices have been mailed to affected residents and property owners. Preparatory work, consisting of pavement repairs and crack filling, will continue through September, with slurry seal resurfacing to follow in October. 

For more information, visit the project website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/slurryseal or call (844) LAGUNA4 or (844) 524-8624.