AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA
Agenda (printable PDF)
3:45 P.M. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
1. ROLL CALL - 3:45 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Rounaghi
3. PUBLIC HEARING
This section is specifically for appeals of determinations of the Planning Commission, the Design Review Board, or other Boards or Commissions. Public Hearings (Appeals) are different from other public hearings in two ways: (1) In some cases, the City Council can only consider whether a lower body abused its discretion in granting or denying a project application. In other cases, the Council can conduct the hearing "de novo," meaning that it can consider old and new information and make a determination unbound by the lower body's decision. The item's staff report will clearly state which review standard applies to each appeal item; and (2) public comment generally oc-curs this way: Staff presents a report about the appeal, Council members ask questions about the report. Then the presiding officer opens the public hearing, inviting the person who filed the ap-peal (the appellant) to speak first, followed by persons supporting the appellant's position. Then the presiding officer invites persons disagreeing with appeal to speak. When all speakers have spoken, the presiding officer invites the appellant up a second time to address any comment and to conclude their argument. Following that, the presiding officer closes the public hearing, and the Council deliberates further and ultimately votes on a motion. The City Council conducts all Public Hearings in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laguna Beach procedure and State law. The Mayor shall have discretion to establish the time allocated for persons who wish to speak, of-ten allowing more time for the appellant and/or the applicant.
A.
APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 25-0583 MODIFYING A PRIOR DESIGN REVIEW
TO NOW INCLUDE LOWER-LEVEL ADDITIONS, EXP ANSI ON OF AN
ELEVATED DECK, WINDOW AND DOOR MODIFICATIONS, ROOF LINE
REDUCTION, AND A REQUEST TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ALLOW ABLE BUILDING SITE COVERAGE AT 482 ASTER STREET, AND FINDING THE
PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (CLASS 1)
Recommendation: Open the public hearing, take
public testimony, close the public hearing, and adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SUSTAINING THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD'S DECISION TO APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 25-0583 MODIFYING A PRIOR
DESIGN REVIEW TO NOW INCLUDE LOWER-LEVEL ADDITIONS, EXPANSION OF AN
ELEVATED DECK, WINDOW AND DOOR MODIFICATIONS, ROOF LINE REDUCTION, AND A REQUEST TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE BUILDING SITE COVERAGE AT 482
ASTER STREET, AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (CLASS 1)", sustaining the Design Review Board's approval of Design Review 25-0583 and finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Agenda Report
4. ADJOURNMENT. The Laguna Beach City Council will adjourn to the 4:00 p.m. Special Meeting. 4:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
1. ROLL CALL - 4:00 P.M.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
This section is for matters (other than appeals) that are structured as Public Hearings. Public hearings are different from regular business items in that there is a specific time period where a formal hearing is opened by the presiding officer, public comment is accepted from any member of the public, and the hearing is closed by the presiding officer. Generally, each public speaker has one opportunity to speak. The City Council conducts all Public Hearings in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laguna Beach procedure and State law. The presiding officer shall have discretion to establish the time allocated for public comment.
1. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE LOWER PORTION OF FOREST AVENUE AS A "SLOW STREET" AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS TO CLOSE THE STREET TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, AND FINDING THE ACTION STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ("CEQA") UNDER SECTION 21080.25(b) OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE Recommendations:
(1) Consolidate this Public Hearing with the Public Hearing for the Appeals of (1) Planning Commission Approval of Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0318 to Convert a Temporary Pedestrian Plaza into a More Permanent Plaza at Lower Forest Avenue, and (2) the Community Development Director’s approval of Coastal Development Permit 25-0587 Regarding the Closure of Lower Forest Avenue to Vehicular Traffic, and Finding Such Actions Statutorily Exempt under CEQA Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(B) (the "Appeals"), Conduct a Public Hearing, including receiving a joint staff report and jointly taking public testimony and evidence for this item and the Appeals; (2) Adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE LOWER PORTION OF FOREST AVENUE AS A SLOW STREET AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS TO CLOSE THE LOWER PORTION OF FOREST AVENUE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND FINDING THE ACTION IS STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080"; and (3) Find that the proposed action is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 21080.25(b).
Agenda Report
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS - APPEALS
This section is specifically for appeals of determinations of the Planning Commission, the Design Review Board, or other Boards or Commissions. Public Hearings (Appeals) are different from other public hearings in two ways: (1) In some cases, the City Council can only consider whether a lower body abused its discretion in granting or denying a project application. In other cases, the Council can conduct the hearing "de novo," meaning that it can consider old and new information and make a determination unbound by the lower body's decision. The item's staff report will clearly state which review standard applies to each appeal item; and (2) public comment generally oc-curs this way: Staff presents a report about the appeal, Council members ask questions about the report. Then the presiding officer opens the public hearing, inviting the person who filed the ap-peal (the appellant) to speak first, followed by persons supporting the appellant's position. Then the presiding officer invites persons disagreeing with appeal to speak. When all speakers have spoken, the presiding officer invites the appellant up a second time to address any comment and to conclude their argument. Following that, the presiding officer closes the public hearing, and the Council deliberates further and ultimately votes on a motion. The City Council conducts all Public Hearings in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laguna Beach procedure and State law. The Mayor shall have discretion to establish the time allocated for persons who wish to speak, of-ten allowing more time for the appellant and/or the applicant.
A.
APPEALS OF (1) PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 25-0319 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0318 TO CONVERT A TEMPORARY PEDESTRIAN PLAZA INTO A MORE PERMANENT PEDESTRIAN PLAZA AT LOWER FOREST AVENUE AND (2) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S APPROVAL OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0587 REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF LOWER FOREST AVENUE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, AND FINDING THESE ACTIONS STATUTORILY EXEMPT UNDER CEQA PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.25(B) Recommendations:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing, including receiving a staff report and taking public testimony and evidence relating to the consideration of the following: (a) Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0318 to convert a temporary pedestrian plaza into a more permanent pedestrian plaza at Lower Forest Ave; and (b) Coastal Development Permit 25-0587 to close Lower Fores Ave to vehicular traffic; and
2. Adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND SUSTAINING THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 25-0319 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0318 AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S APPROVAL OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0587, AND FINDING THE PROJECT STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.25(B)", upholding the Planning Commission’s conditional approval of Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0318 and the Community Development Director’s conditional approval of Coastal Development Permit 25-0587, and finding Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permits 25-0318 and 25-0587 statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b).
Agenda Report
Public Comments (Oppose)
Opposition Petition
Public Comments (Support)
General Public Comments
B.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 25-0650, COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0652 AND CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15304 (MINOR ALTERATIONS TO LAND) AND, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, CEQA GUIDELINES, SECTION 15301 (EXISTING FACILITIES) TO CONSTRUCT AN OUTDOOR DINING PARKLET OPERATED BY OTO SUSHI IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO 370 GLENNEYRE STREET Recommendations:
1. Conduct the public hearing, including receiving a staff report and taking public testimony and evidence relating to the consideration of Temporary Use Permit 25-0650 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0652, and the California Environmental Quality Act exemption under sections 15304 and 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Adopt a Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S DECISION TO APPROVE TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 25-0650 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0652 TO CONSTRUCT AN OUTDOOR DINING PARKLET OPERATED BY OTO SUSHI IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO 370 GLENNEYRE STREET AND TO FIND THE ACTION CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15304 (MINOR ALTERATIONS TO LAND) AND, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, CEQA GUIDELINES, SECTION 15304 (MINOR ALTERATIONS TO LAND) AND, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SECTION 15301 (EXISTING FACILITIES)", sustaining the Planning Commission’s approval of the aforementioned entitlements and CEQA determination or provide staff alternative direction to come back with a resolution of denial or remand at a later meeting.
Agenda Report
C.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 25-0261 AT 31796 COAST HIGHWAY (APN 056-105-04, -07, AND -35), AND FINDING NO SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR THE PROJECT IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15162 (CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH FIRE STATION #4) Recommendations:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing, including receiving a staff report and taking public testimony and all evidence relating to the consideration of Design Review 25-0261; and
2. Adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S DECISION TO APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 25-0261 FOR FIRE STATION #4 AT 31796 COAST HIGHWAY AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15162", upholding the Planning Commission’s conditional approval of Design Review 25-0261, and finding no subsequent environmental review for the Project is required from the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2022, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15162.
Agenda Report
Public Comments
4. ADJOURNMENT. The Laguna Beach City Council will adjourn to the:
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION AT 2:30 P.M.;
CLOSED SESSION AT 4:30 P.M.;
AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025
LAGUNA BEACH CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
505 FOREST AVENUE, LAGUNA BEACH, CA