Mckay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: URGENT Laguna Playhouse is not code compliant and is hazardous to the public Attachments: Laguna Playhouse 2014 Stairs removed from site plans.pdf; IMG_8916.jpg; Laguna playhouse YELP Review Dangerous Stairs someone fell stopped the play highlighted.JPG From: Kathleen Monroe
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 11:54 AM
To: Orgill, Mark <[email protected]>; Jones, Hallie <[email protected]>; Whalen, Bob <[email protected]>; Kempf, Sue <[email protected]>; Rounaghi, Alex <[email protected]>
Cc: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Fwd: URGENT Laguna Playhouse is not code compliant and is hazardous to the public The agenda today includeURGENT: LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE SAFETY HAZARD STAIRS NOT TO
CODE AND PERMITS THAT EXPIRED
Councilmembers,
On the agenda today there is an amendment to the lease with the Laguna Playhouse for more community use time and proposal to appropriate $500,000. Before you vote on that matter, I would ask that you address the lack of code compliance and safety hazards at the Laguna Playhouse that have gone ignored and failure to ensure the safety of the public first. I would besiege you to inspect the playhouse as soon as possible as the Laguna Playhouse was altered when the orchestra pit was removed and 65 seats added to make 3 more rows and not done by a general contractor and a variance that far exceeds safety and the building codes. Each rise and run (stair/landing) is a different height from 4 11/16" to 7 7/16" in a dimly lit environment.
Code dictates 3/8" to 3/16" tolerance none of which is code compliant at the Laguna Playhouse.
The playhouse was open before the work was completed. The never was the required Certificate of Occupancy then or now.
Here is a contractor's blueprint for the Laguna Playhouse in 2014 to revise the stairs to bring them to California building code. As you can see from the permits it was never done. Shows gross negligence as the stairs are hazardous. The city of Laguna Beach has the strictest building code enforcement. How is it that the city of Laguna Beach has turned a blind eye to this public safety hazard for so long. The Playhouse has received millions of dollars in GRANTS and some for improvements yet it is still not code compliant which continues to put the public at risk. Not to code are the railings, not the stairs or landings and not the width of the aisles. And this is in a dimly lit theatre putting more people at risk of injury especially the elderly.
Attached: Permit application, stairs and landing remodel rendering, Permit expired per Maria Ring. General Contractor Delish Patel from Cal America confirmed the work was never done 1 though the permit was pulled. NOTING on the permit: Add plywood to existing aisle stairs to bring existing risers to within 3/8" of tolerance per approved plan. Work was never done and continues to be a violation of the strict building code. Hence it is dangerous and a safety hazard for the public. I know I was seriously injured. Also attached is a YELP review warning of the hazardous stairs and someone fell and they had to stop the play. And photo of non compliant stair/riser. I have the full inspection report from a Construction Expert and Civil Engineer that I can send to you.
I BEG YOU TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER. And make the necessary changes to bring the Laguna Playhouse code compliant make it a safe place. Patrons and vistors should not walk in there and leave in an ambulance or wheelchair like I did and others. **MAKE THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE SAFE
Kathleen Monroe
cell
2 Overall rating 4 stars lagunaplayhouse.com L
3 stars
(949) 497-2787
117 reviews 2 stars
1 star Get Directions
606 Laguna Canyon Rd Laguna Beach,
Q CA 92651
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Cute little playhouse with a great play with Leslie Caron, yeah! that would have brought a higher score) "As per one of the reviews below, my daughter is in the Satur singing class. My..." read more
impressive long list of various executives, Managers and whats not that don't respond to legitimate requests to see the feasibility to meet with an artist, that can not be accepted Dangerous steep uneven steps is definitely a concern when bringing an older guest to the theatre ( 3-2-1 Acting Studios one guest felt down yesterday forcing a stop of the play. 0000042 The plugging of a meet and greet occasion for the next day also showed some poor planning on the side of the playhouse. ( Guest are not going to drive back another 100 miles just for that. Seems to "3-2-1 is a fantastic studio for both brand new aspiring actors be too little thinking too late to get a few more bucks. Sorry Laguna Playhouse. well as small..." read more The disappointment of my uncle hopping to meet with Mrs Caron (who he worked with years ago) took away from a great performance. Difficulties to get 3 seats together when buying weeks in advance only to see at least 50 seats available in the house also showed some problems with the theatre managing the ticket sales.
Laguna Playhouse, the little theatre that could.....
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Cal America Construction Inc.
Contractors License
22 Orion war 149 713 3704
Coto Do i
The Laguna Playhouse 114Z)
606 Laguna Canyon Road,
Laguna Beach, CA 92651. OMEN
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LINE OF CONT
'RM ABOVE-
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OF MAI SEATS 475
CBP-2014-1225 citu
ADD PLYWOOD TO EXISTING AISLE STAIRS AS NECE
TO BRING EXISTING RISERS WITHIN 3/8" TOLERANC
TAR:
TECH
OPEN
REMOVE EXISTING STAIR TREADS AT LAST SIX S IRS TO
CREATE THREE NEW LANDINGS
LAGUNA
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
APPLICATION FOR BUILDING ELECTRICAL PLUMBING & MECHANICAL PERMITS CALIFORNIA Project Address THE GAELINA PLAYHOUSE
Description of Work 10 EXISTING AISLE STAIRS TO BRING
EXISTING RISERS WITHIN 38" TOLERANCE
Valuation of Work $ 5,000- Residential or Commercial (Circle one) Legal Owner's Name
Owner s Mailing Address 606 LAGUNA CANYON ROAT
Telephone ( Email
Applicants Name CAC AmERICA CONST ING
Telephone (949) 525 1651 Email
Contractor Name (AS SHOWN ON LICENSE) CAL AMERICA CONST INC Contractors State LIe # 263193 Emall dileshpatel [email protected] Contractor s Address 22 ORIONWAY, COTO DE CAZA, CA 92679 Contractors Telephone ( Cell Phone 949) 525 1651
Indicate number of each of the following (NEW and/or REPLACEMENT) Plumbing Mechanical Hardscape #
Bidg Sewer Boller/Compressors
Plumbing Fixtures
Fixtures Electrical Pumps
Extend Duct Work (addt I app vents) #HP
Gas Outlet Piping Floo Furnace/Wall Heaters
Electrical Outlets
Res Lawn Sprinklers Furnace up to 100 000 BTU
Gas Outlets
Backflow Valve
(vacuum brr) Furnace over 100 000 BTU
Water Heaters/Ven A/C (heating/ref geration un+)
Water Pipes/Hose Bbs Hood Ducts (exhaust hood)
Pre fabricated Fireplaces (appl)
Electrical # Vent Fans/Single Duct
Appliances 14-1225
Fixtures Pool Equipment #
Generators/Motors # Electrical Outiets/Timers
Outlets Fixtures/Lights
Service Meter #AMP Pumps/Motors #HP
New Subpanel Plumbing Fixtures (#Jets)
OH/UG Mechanical Heaters (over 100 000 BT)
Temp Pole/Pıggyback Mechanical Heaters (under 100 000 BTU) Hardscape includes Water Features/Exterior Sink, BBQ, Fıreplace and Gazebo*** LAGU City of Laguna Beach
IVR PIN # 130464
Permit NO CBP-2014 1225
Community Development Department Permit Type Building Commercial U
Building Division Work Classification Alteration
Issue Date 7/2/2014
CALIFORNI Building Permit Expires 12/29/2014
Project Information Parcel No 496 111 09
Owner Information City Of Laguna Beach
606 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach CA 92651 505 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach CA 92651
Proposed Construction / Detalls
Interior add plywood to existing aisle stairs to bring existing risers within 3/8 tolerance per approved plan Total Valuation $0 00
Const Type Occupancy Unit Cost
Value
Permit Information
Inspector Dennis ConstDep
Use Total Sq Feet
Erosion No Building Code CBC 2013
Control No Recycle
Contractors) Cell Phone
Bus Phone Certification Info
Exp Date
Cal America Construction Inc 949 525 1651 949 525 1651
California State License Contractor 863193 07/31/2015
OWNER BUILDER DECLARATION I hereby affirm under penalty of perjury that I am exempt from the, Contractors License Law for the following reason (Sec 7031 5 Business and Profession Code Any city or county which requires a permit to construct alter improve demolish or repair any structure prior to the issuance also requires the applicant for such permit to file a signed statement that he or she is licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Contractors License Law (Chapter 9 commencing with Section 7000 of the Business and Pfofessions Code) or that he or she is exempt therefrom and the basis for the alleged exemption Any violation of I as owner of the property or my employees with wages as their sole compensation will do the work and the structure is not intended or offered for sale (Sec 7044 Business and Professions code The Contractors Lictinse Law does not apply to an owner of property who builds or improves thereon and who does such work himself of herself or through his or her own employees provided that such improvements are not intended or offered for sale if however the building or improvement is sold within one year of completion the owner builder will have the burden of proving that he or she did not build or improve for the purpose of sale) I as owner of the property am exclusively contracting with licensed contractors to construct the project (SEC 7044 Business and Professions code The Contractors License Law does not apply to an owner of property who builds or improves thereon and who contracts for such projects with a contractors) licensed pursuant to the I am exempt under Sec _B&PC for the reason
Date OWNER
LICENSED CONTRACTORS DECLARATION I hereby afim under penalty of perry that yam licensed unger propisions of capita (carmencing with Section 7000) of the Business and Professions Code and my license is in full force and effect LICENSE CLASS slat
LICENSE NO CONTRACTOR DATE 7-Z-14
WORKERS COMPENSATION DECLARATION I hereby affirm under penalty of perjury one of the following déclarations _I have and will maintain a certificate of consent to self insure for workers compensation as provided for by Section 3700 of the Labor Code for the performance of the work for which this permit is issued
_ have and will maintain workers compensation insurance as required by Section 3700 of the Labor Code for the performance of the work for which this permit is issued My workers compensation insurance camer and policy number are as follows
CARRIER POLICY NO
(This section need not be completed if the permitis. for $100 or less) _I certify that in the performance of the work for which this permit isassued I shall not employ any person in any manner so as to be become subject to the workers compensation provisions of Section 3700 of the Labor Code -I shall forthwith comply with those provisions CONSTRUCTION LENDING AGENCY 1 hereby affirm under penalty of perjury that there is a construction lending agency for the performance of the work for which this permit is Issued (Sec 3097 Civil Code)
LENDERS NAME LENDERS
I certify that I have read the application and state that the above information is correct 1 agree to comply with all City and County ordinances and State laws relating to
NAME OF PERMITTEE DILESHTATEL
SIGNATURE OF PERMITTEE DATE 7-2-14