Council moves forward with Promenade on Forest program plan

By SARA HALL

City Council unanimously approved the Promenade on Forest Program Plan this week, which will act as a guide to develop permanent design concepts for future consideration.

Council members voted 5-0 on Tuesday (June 7) to move forward with the preliminary plan, which outlines the process for designing the space, determining programming and uses, and gathering public input.

Most of Tuesday’s discussion revolved around designing the area as a uniquely Laguna gathering space, the importance of getting feedback from the community, and the timing of the first public workshop (which a majority of council ultimately agreed should be after Labor Day).

This is a preliminary plan and there will be plenty of opportunities for input during the public meetings, said Mayor Sue Kempf. There has been a lot of support and interest in the Promenade, and most of it is favorable, she noted, so this is the right direction to be heading.

It shouldn’t be “vanilla” or bland, she said, echoing some public comments. It needs to be unique as Laguna Beach. 

“I want to see us build a Promenade that’s beautiful and we can be proud of,” Kempf said. “We have a beautiful town and we should have nice things here.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have embraced the Promenade with strong support, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen agreed. 

“I think it’s pretty clear we’re on the path for a permanent Promenade and we ought to look at the options,” he said. 

These are good next steps, he added.

They need to ensure robust input from community, Whalen said, that will help the city develop the best plan possible for the Promenade. A variety of options and ideas might come out of the process, he added. 

The document will be heavily referenced in the upcoming outreach, noted Capital Program Manager Tom Perez. 

“The program plan is not intended to be a design document,” Perez emphasized, it “will help us to further the design through the concept phase.”

Tuesday’s action is limited to preliminary design direction, he emphasized. It’s not authorization to proceed with the project, he said, it’s just providing direction.

“We’re looking at this as an opportunity where we no longer have to just maintain 20 feet of nothing down the middle of the street,” Perez said. “We’re looking at how do we really take this area and maximize the potential, and whether that shifts things around – moves things, I’ll be looking over at RRM (Design Firm) to really bring that to life in their concept plan.”

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The city is working to make the Forest Avenue Promenade permanent

On May 18, 2021, council approved a $376,990 contract to RRM Design Firm for preliminary engineering and entitlements to study possibly making the Forest Avenue Promenade permanent. At the time, the item passed unanimously and there was general support for the idea, but not without a number of concerns raised by several council members and public speakers. 

The proposed scope of work required RRM to prepare a programming plan, which will develop a high-level space plan, including parameters such as the amount of dining space, space dedicated to restaurants, retail, gathering areas, and for performances. 

RRM was also tasked with preparing two concept plan alternatives for a permanent pedestrian Promenade. The first will include a minimal design alternative that would convert the existing roadway on lower Forest Avenue with minimal improvements. The second will include comprehensive hardscape and landscape replacements and improvements, including removal of curb and gutters, permanent lighting, shade and seating fixtures, and new pavement.

Staff confirmed at the time that the scope of work for RRM would also include three community meetings and various stakeholder interviews.

Outreach has now occurred with business owners along Forest Avenue, public safety personnel, maintenance staff, and public officials to identify key program elements to be incorporated into the program plan, Perez explained. Feedback from the stakeholders included both positive and negative comments. 

They tried to grab everybody’s comments and incorporate them into the document, said Brian Hannegan, project manager for RRM.

“It really is a way to help us think about things ahead and we definitely want to hear from the public, that’s our next really big step is to get their input about it,” he said. 

Perez shared a word cloud featuring the comments from stakeholders, some of the most prominent words in the graphic were: Lighting, trash cans, decks, art, planters, trees, seating, storage, and maintenance.

People want it to be a top-notch gathering space for family and friends, or a nice spot to meet with a client, Perez noted. The focus on the Promenade as a gathering space was an important and repeated comment, he emphasized throughout Tuesday’s presentation. The design should also create an inviting destination for both residents and visitors and seating should be incorporated throughout. 

“Looking at the site character, it was the overarching theme, we heard people want the Promenade to retain the Laguna Beach charm and that eclectic feel using high-end finishes,” he said. 

Suggestions included enhanced pavement materials and art integrated into the design.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Initial stakeholder feedback emphasized that the Promenade shouldn’t feel like an outdoor food court

Feedback also emphasized that it shouldn’t feel like an outdoor food court. The appearance of the dining decks should look attractive, Perez said. 

Right now, it looks like a food court with corrals, commented Councilmember George Weiss. It needs to be balanced so the dining areas are available, but managed so they aren’t overwhelming the overall design, he explained.

“Everybody likes outdoor dining, I do too, but I want it balanced with the other uses,” Weiss said. 

Comments gathered from the stakeholder feedback also included support for renting the space reserved for restaurants at a fair market rate, Perez noted, and should be limited to 500 square feet per restaurant.

Several respondents also wanted to see the roadway completely removed, accessibility to restrooms, improved lighting, and placement of trees. There were mixed feelings about public performances on the Promenade, but most agreed that they should occur at different areas rather than one fixed location.

The development of the concept plans will include public outreach with the community to collaborate on thoughts and inspiration that will help guide the design and vision forward, staff noted.

The next step will be the first community meeting, which staff suggested to be held in late July or early August. There was some discussion about the timing, as many residents are away on vacation during the summer. Ultimately, most council members agreed to direct staff to host the first meeting after Labor Day.

Kempf suggested starting the outreach meetings in September, since so many residents travel during the summer. 

“It’s an imperfect world we’re living in, not everybody is going to be available,” Kempf said. “Let’s just try to make our best effort to get it in when we’re not in the holidays and after school starts.”

There will criticisms about any date they select, noted Councilmember Peter Blake. In September, people will complain about interfering with the school calendar. In November, there will be conflicts with the holiday season, he said.

“I don’t want to wait,” Blake said. “Let’s get this thing started.”

The first community meeting could happen in August or September, Hannegan said, but the further into fall they go they have to “hopscotch around holidays.”

Although, even if the second meeting is after the holidays it would still work out, Hannegan confirmed. That would give them time to work on the concepts and input ideas from the first community meeting without feeling rushed, he said.

“We really want to hear from them,” Hannegan said. “We want to hear about what they think about the different options and really tune in into it, that’s what’s going to make this successful.”

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Council members noted that many people have embraced the Promenade since the pandemic

There was also some concern during public comment about dismissing community input and not considering residents as stakeholders. It’s important that everyone is represented, noted Jacob Cherub. More input means a better project, he said. 

But Blake cautioned staff on what might be a “tsunami” of unrealistic comments and urged the experts to do what they do best by making the Promenade unique and well planned.

“Don’t let anybody get in the way of doing something really special,” he said. 

The project is at a very early stage of the process, but a lot of hard work has already been put into this, noted resident and Planning Commission Chair Pro Tem Jorg Dubin during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Public input is an important part of the process, but a professional design firm can create an environment that understands Laguna and maintains the charm, while doing something spectacular, Dubin said. 

“I believe, absolutely, in public input on this project, but there are a lot of times when design by committee can tend to water things down a little bit too much,” Dubin cautioned. 

The project needs to really distinctive for the community and maintain the charm and character of Lower Forest, he noted.

“I think we need to do something that’s extremely special, that is not a ‘beige’ project that looks like it could be in any pre-planned town,” Dubin said. “I think it’s important that we have something that really blows people away when they come and enjoy that.” 

It requires a lot of thought and creativity, he noted, and Laguna is a creative community with a lot of knowledgeable residents that think outside the box. The Promenade deserves the attention to detail that will make it an interesting place for both residents and visitors, he added. 

“We owe it to ourselves and the community to really drill down on this,” Dubin said. “If it goes forward, it’s going to be a permanent part of our identity.”

Resident Greg O’Loughlin echoed Dubin’s concern about making it bland. Other cities have similar promenades, he noted, so Laguna Beach’s should be special. He also suggested incorporating “Forest” into the name and keeping the trees prominent. As a name, Promenade is generic, he noted. 

Kempf agreed with the public comments about possibly incorporating Forest into the name. They just called it “Promenade” to quickly title it when it was first introduced, she recalled, but it could be better. 

“I think it needs a different name,” she said, adding that the name could be worked out during the outreach process. 

A few public speakers also encouraged project officials to preserve the trees, which are a part of the character of the area. 

Later in the year, city staff will meet with California Coastal Commission staff for direction, continue working on the concept plan, and host a second community meeting (the meeting could be early 2023). In early to mid-2023, the concept design will be finalized, a third community meeting will be held, and the project will be presented to the Planning Commission and then City Council. By late 2023, the city will work on CEQA compliance, submit for a Coastal Development Permit, seek design review approval, and present the final preliminary plan to council.

Information and opportunities for feedback will also be available online, staff confirmed. 

Inside City Hall

Dear Laguna Beach Community,

It’s hard to believe that it is already June, and the summer season is upon us! Our city services are essential to people living in or visiting Laguna Beach, and I am pleased to share how our city teams from all departments are prepared for these summertime service levels. Many of these service enhancements are part of the city’s resident-serving “Neighborhood & Environmental Protection Plan,” to mitigate visitor impacts to neighborhoods, enhance city services for residents and add environmental protection programs.

Through the end of September, our Public Works Department will be emptying public trash and recycling cans three times daily, providing four litter picking crews every weekend (Fri.-Sun.), doubling the number of contracted day porters serving the Downtown/Main Beach/Heisler Park areas and doubling our Downtown sidewalk pressure washing program to four nights per week.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of City of Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis

In addition, Public Works will launch the new Neighborhood Beach Trolley on Friday, June 10. The Beach Trolley will supplement the Laguna Beach Local on-demand service and provide an additional transit option from residential neighborhoods in North Laguna, Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon and Arch Beach Heights. The Beach Trolley will operate from June 10 through August 21, seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., approximately every 45 minutes. The Beach Trolley can be flagged down anywhere along the route in the residential neighborhoods and will have limited stops along Coast Highway. This service is designed to provide neighborhoods with transportation down to the beach during the day with surfboards and other bulky beach gear. 

The Laguna Beach Local On-Demand Summer Hours will start on June 24. The summer hours between June 24 and September 5 are Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. In addition, Festival Season Trolleys will begin on Friday, June 24 including the Summer Breeze new service on Fridays from 4-11:30 p.m. Recreation classes are in full swing and summer camps will start on Monday, June 13.

Our Police Department is ready for the summer and patrol officers will remain vigilant and address quality of life concerns throughout the season, with a multifaceted approach including ATV patrols of our city beaches in the evening and nighttime hours. Police officers on bicycle teams will patrol the Downtown area and the beaches and parks, and traffic aides will provide traffic control on Forest Avenue on the weekends from 12-7 p.m. Two new Police Department Park Rangers are in training and additional Park Rangers will be hired over the next few months. 

Currently 100% of our fleet of Fire engines and vehicles are operational and our Laguna Beach Fire Department is ready to respond if needed. Next week, we begin our orientation academy for our 19 new Ambulance Operators and finalize our fleet of three new city ambulances as part of the city’s new in-house ambulance program. We begin providing ambulance transport services on July 1 and are continuing to train on our EMT and Paramedic skills, to ensure the highest quality of care is provided to our community and visitors. 

The Marine Safety Department is preparing for summer operations and all Lifeguard Tower positions will be staffed beginning Saturday, June 11. Tower lifeguards and lifeguard rescue units have extended patrol hours to accommodate beach usage in high-impact locations.

Lifeguard staff looks forward to providing ocean and aquatic rescue, emergency medical response, accident prevention, protection of marine resources and ordinance enforcement to keep the public safe. The Junior Lifeguard Program will begin Monday, June 13. There are very few spots open, but if you are interested in registering, go to our website at https://Lagunabeachcity.net for more information.

Lastly, I hope you will join the community, our City Council, and city staff as we celebrate the city’s 95th birthday on Wednesday, June 29 at the Cobblestone area at Main Beach Park from 4-6 p.m. We will have live music, an ice-cream social, and some commemorative 95th birthday gear for you as we celebrate our city’s heritage and history, and use this as a warmup for our Centennial celebration that will happen in just five years. I hope to see you all there on June 29 and wish you a safe start to another fantastic Laguna Beach summer!

In Community Spirit, 

Shohreh Dupuis, City Manager 

City of Laguna Beach

Council waits to appraise, possibly sell Ti Amo property only if alternate site for potential South Laguna fire station found

By SARA HALL

A councilmember request turned into a heated discussion this week to consider selling the former Ti Amo restaurant property, recently purchased by the city for public use, including a possible fire station in South Laguna.

Councilmember Toni Iseman requested on Tuesday (June 7) that the council agendize a future item to consider selling the property at 31727 Coast Highway. 

The revenue from the sale could be used for a number of projects needed in South Laguna, she noted.

“Although our budget is rich with money this a very specific amount of money and it would be great to have that on the table to move forward,” Iseman said. 

They have to be forward thinking, she added. 

“We don’t know what fire equipment is going to look like in the future,” Iseman said. “This space is too small for today, so I doubt we’re ever going to see it as a fire station.”

She also pointed out that the city purchased the site without an appraisal and suggested that they conduct one now. 

While there was no official vote or action at the meeting this week, there was general consensus on the dais to obtain an appraisal at the appropriate time in the future when the city might be in the position to sell the property.

“We’ve had a focus on wanting a fire station in South Laguna for a long time. We bought this property, maybe it’s not the ideal property, but it’s the only property we have right now,” Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen said. “To me, it’s premature to consider selling this.”

If they find an alternate site down the road that works better for a fire station, they can consider selling the Ti Amo property at that time, he commented. They should hold off on an appraisal until then, he added. 

“I think we want to have an appraisal that’s ripe and current,” Whalen said. 

It’s too early to sell it or to appraise it, Mayor Sue Kempf agreed. 

“I don’t think we should do an appraisal now. If we’re going to sell it, let’s do it closer to the time when we’re going to sell it,” she said. “We can get an appraisal and it says it’s worth, I don’t know, $3.1 (million), what does that really mean if we’re not going to sell it right now anyway?”

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The city recently purchased the property at 31727 Pacific Coast Highway, previously occupied by Italian restaurant Ti Amo by il Barone

Last year, in a split 3-2 vote on June 15, council authorized an agreement with Rincon Consultants Inc. in the amount of $89,199 to provide consulting services for the preparation of an initial study for the acquisition of 31727 Coast Highway and for a possible Mitigated Negative Declaration, if determined to be appropriate. Councilmembers Iseman and George Weiss dissented.

Click open story button to continue reading…

Local residents appointed to city sustainability, audit review committees

By SARA HALL

City Council conducted a special meeting this week to interview and appoint several residents to local city committees.

Council interviewed two applicants (a third wasn’t in attendance at the meeting) and appointed one as a full member and a second as an alternate to the Environmental Sustainability Committee for a two-year term effective immediately, through March 31, 2024.

The panel is tasked with researching, reviewing and advising the council on items related to protecting the environment and improving the community’s future sustainability. Members typically work in subcommittees to research issues and policies and prepare recommendations for the larger committee to submit to council. 

At the February 8 interviews and appointments meeting, council reappointed two incumbents. At the time, the only other applicant to the environmental group also applied to the Parking, Traffic, and Circulation Committee, where he was ultimately appointed. This left one potential seat vacant, although there was discussion about changing the size of the committee. 

The one open seat received three applications this time around: Steve Chadima, Christopher Davis and Charlie Zender.

Ultimately, council unanimously appointed Chadima to the open seat and selected Zender as the alternate. 

“I think we have two extremely qualified applicants here so it would be great to have both of their expertise,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen. 

Chadima, a 38-year resident of Laguna Beach, worked for more than 20 years in sustainability, renewable energy, and zero-carbon technologies, including public policy and advocacy. He serves on the Global Leadership Council of the World Resources Institute, an international environmental group, and is a board member of Wildfire Alliance, where he works to mitigate the impacts of climate-induced droughts.

He’s also on the city’s Community Choice Energy Working Group, which advised council on clean energy options. They’re making good progress, he noted. 

With extra time on his hands now that he’s retired, Chadima thought his experience could help the committee.

“There’s kind of a unique opportunity that’s presenting itself in the next couple of years as the Climate Action Plan is revamped with a consultant,” he said. “I think that being able to work with the consultant as a community member can get that kind of input into the process before the final results are delivered, so that whatever the consultant does come up with can be more easily adopted by the community at large.”

Answering a council question, Chadima confirmed he’s previously worked with consultants. 

Councilmember George Weiss, who is the council liaison for the committee and also sits on the CCE working group, said Chadima has done a great job and is a valuable part of the group. He’s thoughtful and considerate of the issues, Weiss said, and he “really does his homework.”

Zender, a professor of earth system science at University of California, Irvine, has lived in Orange County for 23 years, including six in Laguna Beach. 

He’s conducted climate outreach and education to K-12 schools, Long Beach Aquarium and Crystal Cove State Park. He was also previously part of the California Climate Change Advisory Committee. Zender also currently runs a network of sensors near the Salton Sea that monitors particulate matter air quality.

Zender explained his outreach has focused on the causes and effects of climate change at the regional, state and national levels. 

“My interest in this committee is in really thinking globally and acting locally,” he said. 

He noted that his interest was piqued after he recently read a book about the Laguna Beach Greenbelt and how it was recognized as a Historic American Landscape by the National Park Service due to the efforts of community members who devoted time and energy to the project.

“As a recreational enthusiast who lives in the city – both a swimmer and a runner – I’m very familiar with the benefits that those folks have left to the rest of us, and I would love to contribute my expertise and that of my network of colleagues at UC Irvine to any issues that arise on the Environmental Sustainability Committee,” Zender said. 

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

City council appointed local residents to the Environmental Sustainability Committee and Audit Review Committee this week

At the same meeting, council also interviewed two applicants (a third withdrew his application) and appointed them to the Citizens’ Audit Review Committee for two-year terms, beginning July 1 and serving through June 30, 2024.

Click open story button to continue reading…

Council agenda includes Promenade, Parking Master Plan update, councilmember request to sell Ti Amo property, committee appointments

By SARA HALL

Several noteworthy items are on the agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting. 

On the consent calendar for the Tuesday, June 7 meeting, council will consider: Promenade on Forest Program Plan; an update from the Parking Master Plan Subcommittee; consider cobblestone repair and using the Main Beach area for city’s 95th anniversary event; hear a councilmember request to consider selling the recently acquired Ti Amo property in South Laguna and make several appointments to city committees.

During regular business, council will consider approving the Promenade on Forest Program Plan to act as a guide to develop two distinct concept plans for future consideration.

On May 18, 2021, council approved a $376,990 contract to the RRM Design Firm for preliminary engineering and entitlements to study possibly making the Forest Avenue Promenade permanent. At the time, the item passed unanimously and there was general support for the idea, but not without a number of concerns raised by several councilmembers and public speakers. 

The proposed scope of work required RRM to prepare a programming plan, which will develop a high-level space plan, including parameters such as the amount of dining space, space dedicated to restaurants, retail, gathering areas and for performances. 

RRM was also tasked with preparing two concept plan alternatives for a permanent pedestrian promenade. The first will include a minimal design alternative that would convert the existing roadway on lower Forest Avenue with minimal improvements. The second will include comprehensive hardscape and landscape replacements and improvements, including removal of curb and gutters, permanent lighting, shade and seating fixtures and new pavement.

Staff confirmed at the time that the scope of work for RRM would also include three community meetings and various stakeholder interviews.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The Forest Avenue Promenade

Outreach with business owners along Forest Avenue, public safety personnel, maintenance staff, and public officials was conducted to identify key program elements to be incorporated into the program plan, according to the staff report. Feedback from the stakeholders included both positive and negative comments, staff reported. 

“Stakeholders felt strongly that the promenade should have a timeless design with high-end and elegant features that capture and preserve the unique culture of Laguna Beach,” the staff report reads. 

The design should also crate an inviting destination for both residents and visitors. 

Feedback also emphasized that it shouldn’t feel like an outdoor food court.

“While stakeholders understood that outdoor dining is a component of the Promenade, the majority requested that restaurant seating be limited, and that open seating should be incorporated throughout the Promenade,” the report reads.

Comments also included support for renting the space reserved for restaurants at a fair market rate and should be limited to 500 square feet per restaurant.

There were mixed feelings about public performances on the Promenade, but most agreed that they should occur at different areas rather than one fixed location.

Information from the program plan will be the basis of design for the development of the two permanent Promenade concept plan options. 

“The development of the concept plans will include comprehensive public outreach with the entire community to collaborate on thoughts and inspiration that will help guide the design and vision forward,” the staff report reads.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Cars bumper to bumper in Laguna Beach

The last item under regular business is a Parking Master Plan Subcommittee update.

The subcommittee, comprised of Mayor Sue Kempf and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen, have been meeting monthly since the beginning of the year to assess the city’s parking needs and study solutions. They have held a public listening session, met with several transportation firms to refine the effort’s approach and private discussions with property owners about possibly leasing parking lots to the city.

As part of the effort, a purchase order was issued to Fehr & Peers, a transportation planning and engineering firm, to assist the subcommittee with the technical tasks for the Parking Master Plan. The plan will start with a parking needs assessment to quantify the existing parking demand in four key districts (North Laguna, Downtown, the HIP District and South Laguna). 

The firm will also help with parking infrastructure recommendations, financing models, possible changes to relevant zoning code regulations and suggestions to improve the city’s strategies to manage high public parking demand.

Fehr & Peers will complete the draft plan by September. It will then be presented to council for consideration and to discuss strategies. 

On the consent calendar, council will consider approving the use of the Main Beach cobblestone area with a stage for the city’s 95th anniversary event on June 29, including use of amplified sound and the bagging of five parking meters for unloading of equipment with no fees applied.

At the event, councilmembers will talk about the city’s history and accomplishments, local bands will perform and giveaway items will be distributed. The event will also be live-streamed on the city’s social media.

A budget up to $15,000 from non-departmental expenditures under administrative services, contingency/unplanned events, will be used for the celebration.

Click open story button to continue reading…