MINUTES
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 28, 2025
A Study Session of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., in the City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California, Mayor Rounaghi presiding.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Jones, Kempf, Whalen, Orgill, Rounaghi PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
STUDY SESSION
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1. FACILITIES MASTER PLAN (FMP) STUDY SESSION: CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF THE OVERALL FMP, WITH A FOCUS ON FIRE STATION #1, COMMUNITY AND
RECREATION CENTER OPTIONS, AND LANG PARK OPTIONS
Presentation and Discussion: Staff and the project consultants gave a presentation and responded to Councilmembers’ questions.
Public Testimony: Pat Kollenda requested that the City Council immediately address ADA accessibility for the Forum Theater. Gary Kasick commented on the Community and Recreation Center (CRC), suggesting that the City acquire parking from the Ruby’s Diner property. Aaron Peluso asserted that more public parking is not needed, and would be monopolized by beachgoers. Peluso also commented on the importance of the field/park at Lang Park for residents. Robin Hall asked about the process. Mary Locatelli asked if the retrofitting is required for Fire Station 1, noted that the CRC already lacks sufficient parking, and commented that the $11 million that the City borrowed to purchase the CRC property needs to be included in any cost calculations. She also questioned the need to spend funds on Lang Park. Nick Aronoff shared his concerns related to increasing density. John Thomas read the letter submitted by the South Laguna Civic Association, requesting greater resident participation prior to design concepts being advanced. Ann Christoph commented that the new Fire Station 1 would take up the space recently redone for the Village Entrance. She also emphasized the importance of the green space at Lang Park, and asserted that the City cannot afford the proposals. Christoph suggested that the City simply use the buildings as they are at the CRC. Greg Viviani agreed that no more public parking is needed, agreed with Christoph regarding Lang Park, and suggested facility-only parking. Nancy McKenna, resident of the residential neighborhood next to Lang Park, supported keeping the park as it is, and controlling the parking.
City Council Direction: Regarding Fire Station 1, the City Council agreed that it is a top priority, due to seismic and operational deficiencies. The City Council directed further analysis on three site options: (1) Village Entrance site (existing concept), (2) former OCTA bus lot (City-owned) to evaluate feasibility, site capacity, vertical design constraints, and Laguna Beach City Council Study Session Minutes October 28, 2025 Note: All components of minutes shall be for the primary purpose of memorializing decisions made by the legislative body. Any minute component that does not serve this primary purpose will be minimized or eliminated; this includes comments made by individual body members and members of the public. Discussions that occurred during the meeting can be viewed in archived video recordings on the city’s website. Public submittals on items received prior to adjournment of the meeting are retained in the administrative record and can be viewed in the city clerk’s repository. -2-
emergency response standards, and (3) a Laguna Beach County Water District property scenario exploring a long-term concept in which Water District corporate functions could relocate to its El Morro property, allowing City use of the existing Water District building with potential co-location of public safety services (Fire, Police, Emergency Operations Center). The City Council directed that staff return with a parking impact analysis for the Village Entrance site and potential mitigation strategies, and to evaluate EOC integration into the Fire Station 1 project if feasible.
Regarding the CRC, the City Council directed staff to initiate preparation of a housing and mixed-use zoning overlay to preserve value and create long-term options, without committing to redevelopment at this time, evaluate a hybrid concept that includes retention of the existing gymnasium and key community-serving spaces, the potential for housing on a portion of the site to assist with RHNA compliance and generate revenue for civic facilities, and exploration of ingress/egress and potential coordination with the Ruby’s Diner parcel, and to return with next steps for the overlay process, including timing, scope, and required analyses.
Regarding Lang Park, the City Council directed that no more money should be spent on Lang Park concepts; however, staff should consider light-touch improvements during the next Capital Improvement Projects cycle, such as modernizing or modestly expanding the existing gym, small-scale site improvements, exploring limited tuck-under parking, if needed for onsite facility use (not for beach access), maintain and preserve the sports field and large green open space, and conduct broad resident outreach before any future design work proceeds.
The City Council also reaffirmed prior direction to return with a separate item on Forum Theater improvements as part of the ongoing facilities plan follow-up.
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Rounaghi at 4:03 p.m., Tuesday, October 28, 2025, adjourned to the Closed Session, then to the Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California. ****************
Approved: November 18, 2025
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Alex Rounaghi , Mayor
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Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk