5.9 1813 Temple Hills Drive, APN 641-382-14 - APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS DESIGN REVIEW 24-2113 AND CATEGORCIAL EXEMPTION [Section 15304] City Staff: Garrett Wank, Associate Planner at (949) 464-6626 [email protected]
Project Applicant: Steve Kawaratani, Consultant (949) 290-0210, [email protected]
The proposed project includes modifications to a previously approved landscape plan. The project is proposed as exempt development under Laguna Beach Municipal Code Chapter 25.07.
Disclosures: Mr. Gibbs, Ms. Coveny, Ms. Thalman and Mr. Weil visited the site with the applicant and met with neighbor Rhett Shiffman. Chair Gannon made a site visit and emailed with the applicant and attempted to visit the neighbor.
Staff Presentation: Associate Planner, Garrett wank, summarized the staff report and recommendation to approve the project.
Board Questions: None
Chair Gannon opened public hearing.
Project Representative: Steve Kawaratani presented the project.
Public Testimony: Rhett Schiffman of 1843 Temple Hills Drive filed a code enforcement complaint regarding overgrown vegetation at the project location that threatened his home during storms. The existing Ficus trees that were limited to 20 feet were nearly 40 feet tall at present.
Sheri Schiffman of 1843 Temple Hills Drive stated the project affects their view and is concerned about the Ficus trees and does not think their neighbor's privacy is an issue.
Spencer Harris of 1765 Temple Hills Drive supports the project.
Rebuttal: The property owner stated the Schiffman' s are being unreasonable with their requests. Steve Kawaratani stated the owners want to ensure the neighbors maintain their views, but they also want to maintain their privacy. He would like the height of only three trees be modified.
Board Questions: Ms. Thalman asked if Mr. Schiffman asked them to cut the trees. The property owner stated they would cut the trees to a height that would preserve their privacy.
February 13, 2025
Mr. Weil asked if the trees' current height provided privacy. The owner stated that they do not. He was given the history of code enforcement cases/ inspections for this property.
Mr. Gibbs asked if the proposed changes were different from what was being discussed. Staff stated that there were some differences between the DRB approved landscape plan and the plan being presented now.
Steve Kawaratani compiled a list of proposed changes to the approved planting plan that includes some plants that are already in existence.
Mr. Gibbs asked if there are things on the plan that already exist that they are requesting approval for; Mr. Kawaratani agreed.
Ms. Thalman and Mr. Weil asked for clarification of the trees/hedge height. Staff stated the Brazilian pepper hedge be maintained at 15 feet and the remaining 16 trees be 20 feet or less.
Mr. Gibbs asked if the application is for existing trees but are not plants on the original approved plans; Staff agreed.
Chair Gannon closed the public hearing.
Board Comments: Mr. Weil stated the main concern is privacy and view corridors. He would like the board to collaborate and determine in the interest of all parties the trees height and maintenance, Chair Gannon and Mr. Gibbs concur.
Ms. Coveny thinks that serious parameters need to be given but does not think there is a view equity issue, but some cleanup would improve the property.
Ms. Thalman is supportive and ready to approve the project with the clarifications that have been made.
Chair Gannon is ready to move forward and agrees with Mr. Gibbs and is prepared to approve the project.
Mr. Gibbs also supports the project.
Mr. Gibbs made a motion, seconded by Ms. Thalman, to adopt Resolution 24-2113 approving modifications to a previously approved landscape plan and finding the approval exempt from CEQA under section 15304, with conditions restricting landscaping height as described on page 6 of the staff report and limiting three Ficus February 13, 2025