STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
January 13, 2026
CONSENT
7 SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO RIGHT OF WAY NEAR 31131 MONTEREY STREET; AND FINDING ACTION EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3)
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Amendment to an Easement Agreement related to the right of way near 31131 Monterey Street; and
2. Find the recommended action is not a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) based on the reasons in the staff report.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
Pursuant to a quitclaim deed recorded on March 9, 2023, the City of Laguna Beach acquired rights to an easement for right of way near 31131 Monterey Street from the County of Orange. The easement includes a restriction prohibiting parking within the easement area. The property owner has requested removal of this parking restriction, citing that it is unnecessary and interferes with use of property at 31131 Monterey Street.
DISCUSSION
The easement in question was originally established under the County of Orange’s jurisdiction in 2017 to provide access to a public trail leading to Aliso Creek Beach and was created in coordination with the development of the property located at 31131 Monterey Street. (Attachment 1 [Easement].) The City of Laguna Beach subsequently acquired the easement, which includes a restriction prohibiting parking within the easement area along Monterey Street, through a quitclaim deed. (Attachment 2 [Quitclaim Deed].) In 2025, the current property owner of 31131 Monterey Street, unaware of the City’s acquisition of the easement, contacted the County of Orange seeking relief from the parking restriction within the easement area. While the County of Orange staff expressed support for an amendment to the easement agreement to remove the parking restriction, the property owner then learned that the City held rights to the easement.
The property owner then reached out to the City seeking relief from the parking restriction.
At the request of the property owner, City staff reviewed the parking restriction with the Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments to determine whether the restriction remained necessary for public safety or access purposes. Based on this review, staff determined that safe and adequate access can be maintained without the parking restriction, and that the parking restriction within the easement is not necessary.
Removal of the parking restriction language from the easement would allow the property owner to utilize what is effectively their driveway. It is important to note that driveway parking is not required for the property, but is consistent with typical residential use in the surrounding neighborhood, including temporary
AMENDMENT TO AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO RIGHT OF WAY NEAR 31131 MONTEREY STREET; AND FINDING ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(b)(3)
January 13, 2026
parking for loading and unloading passengers, goods, and similar activities. Removing the restriction would restore the ability for these customary functions to occur.
Separately, the property owner presented a project to the Design Review Board (DRB) on December 11, 2025, which includes improvements such as a rear deck, fencing, spa, and an updated trash enclosure. The DRB unanimously approved the project, and the appeal period has expired. Removal of the parking restriction was noted in the DRB staff report and reflected on the approved site plan, with the intent that the driveway area be demarcated on the pavement to ensure adequate coastal trail access remain in place.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Funding for the staff time required to prepare and review the easement agreement and associated staff report is accounted for within the City’s existing adopted budget; therefore, no additional appropriations is necessary
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Here, the recommended action in not a project within the meaning of CEQA because it is limited to the removal of a parking restriction within an existing easement on an already-developed residential property in an area that in directly in front of an existing residential property. The action does not authorize physical construction, expansion of use, or intensification of activity, and does not alter access to the public trail or surrounding roadway network. Safe and adequate access will continue to be maintained without the restriction.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Easement (Pgs. 3-27)
2. Quit Claim Deed (Pgs. 28-43)
3. First Amendment to Easement (Pgs. 44-51)
Submitted By: Matthew Schneider Approved: .David A Kiff Matthew Schneider, Director of
Community Development Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Matthew Schneider, Director of Community
Development
Claire Park, Assistant Planner
Jane Abzug, Assistant City Attorney