McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: SUPPORT FOR -Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse)
From: Dan Loskot
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 10:49 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: SUPPORT FOR -Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) 1/27/26
Re: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) To: City Council c/o [email protected]
I'm writing to urge your approval of the Seahorse.
My name is Dan Loskot. I live at Blue Lagoon, Laguna Beach. I have been a resident of Victoria Beach since early 2020 and enjoyed visiting the Seahorse until their closure. I have been watching with great anticipation their efforts to reopen. We enjoy taking the trolley or walking from our home to visit the local restaurants and would love to add this to our rotation.
Please approve this important project for the social health of our community.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best Regards,
Dan Loskot
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for January 27 Public Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) -----Original Message-----
From: Brandon Sarhad
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 10:35 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for January 27 Public Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) Hope all is well,
As a resident of Laguna for 20 years, it continues to break my heart to see Seahorse still unopened. It is a neighborhood watering hole for the southern village community. I do not think it's fair that they have to keep burning money and paying rent for 2 years now.
As a previous employee, the differences between the old owner and new owners are night and day. The new owners have stewardship in mind on every level, and want to accommodate the surrounding neighbors. This is a new precedent that will continue to set the example moving forward for the business.
I love the seahorse and am happy the new owners care about to community and the rules of the city.
Hopefully we will all be able to enjoy the Seahorse soon, as I am counting the days! Best,
Brandon Sarhad
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) From: Alex Vovk
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 8:02 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) Hello,
My name is Alex Vovk, and I've been living in the area for 11 years. I'm writing as a local community member to express my strong support for reopening Seahorse. It has long been a beloved gathering place, and reopening it would bring back a much-needed spot to connect with friends.
Best regards,
Alex Vovk
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) From: Dave Forsyth
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 6:57 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) My name is David Forsyth, and I have been a resident of the Victoria Beach area since 1984.
The Seahorse is exactly the sort of small business that helps build and maintain community by being a comfortable, easy-to-access, local bar that is perfect for hanging out with friends and neighbors.
Please support this project!
Thanks,
David Forsyth
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: SUPPORT FOR -Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse)
From: Colleen Brady
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 11:06 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Cc: Corinne Loskot
Subject: SUPPORT FOR -Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) 1/27/26
Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) To: City Council c/o [email protected]
Hello City Council,
My name is Colleen Brady, I live on Solana Way in Laguna Beach. I have been here since November 2019, and have enjoyed the local bar, gentleness of service and ambiance of the Seahorse prior to its closure.
We would all definitely like to have the Seahorse re-open, it is a great gathering place for locals and tourists alike. One tremendous benefit is that we are walking distance to the Seahorse! The Trolley is also a great way to get there and back.
Please approve this important venue for our community, it is a welcome add as a small business. It is also within the Laguna Beach essence of small non-corporate owned, where possible to keep that wonderful vibe alive, let's do all we can!
Best regards,
Colleen Brady
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Seahorse
From: Susan Ameri
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 10:36 AM
To: Mckay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Seahorse
To Whom It May Concern,
I respectfully urge the City Council to approve the reopening of The Seahorse. This establishment is an iconic and historic part of Laguna Beach, cherished by the community and deeply connected to the city's cultural identity.
For generations, The Seahorse has been more than just a venue — it has been a gathering place where memories were made, friendships were formed, and visitors experienced the unique spirit of Laguna Beach. Its presence represents tradition, character, and a sense of continuity that is increasingly rare.
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Seahorse
From: ianb
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 8:47 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Seahorse
Good morning,
My name is lan Bryan and I have been living in Laguna Beach since 2016.
I make the butterfly cups for Laguna Coffee, and have shown at the Sawdust Festival in previous years.
Seahorse has always been a favorite place to catch up with friends and family, as there are not many places left in this city that don't feel "sterile". It's close by our home on Nyes so the city ride share is very convenient. Seahorse was one the last strongholds in midtown for us to enjoy a night out..
Pearl St beach is also a favorite cove in Laguna, and we love visiting the coffee shop before bringing the dog (on a leash of course) down for some tranquil surf and sand.
Evenings were a great time, and easy to pull out local friends and family for a beer or two, which is much harder to do downtown. In fact there are a few friends I haven't see since the Seahorse closed.. Our favorite thing to do was pop on a record and use that as our hour glass. When the music stopped it was time to go!
Please help the Seahorse with approvals for the necessary permits to operate the back bar. I am a fan of anything responsible that gets people out of their homes in this town. As a heavily-reliant resort town, fun localized establishments are the last place you can count on seeing a friendly face. As an artist that is vital to our ability to network, socialize, and share ideas with our collaborative and warm community members.
Thank you and all my best,
lan Bryan
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Item #16 Historic Parking, 1796 So. Coast Hwy., LB - Seahorse Tavern Attachments: Presentation for Seahorse Dec 3,2025.pdf
From: Kelly Ware
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2026 10:05 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Item #16 Historic Parking, 1796 So. Coast Hwy., LB - Seahorse Tavern To the City Council Members of Laguna Beach. My name is Kelly Ware, I am the Trustee for the Ware Family Trust, and we have owned this property at, 1796 So. Coast Hwy. for almost 100 years. It is a historical building in LB. We have owned this property when an auto parts store was in one part of this building, and the original Seahorse Tavern, shared the other side of the building. There was always ample parking for both businesses. We please ask you to approve this business, as it has been open in the past. Ownership of this property has never changed hands. It is one of our family's heritage properties. Thank You
I have attached my original letter that I gave to the LB Planning Commision in December of 2025! Good Evening, members of the City Council, and fellow
residents of Laguna Beach. My name is Kelly Ware, and l represent the Ware Family Trust, which have been proud
property owners and taxpayers in the City of Laguna Beach for over 100 years. This property is one of them. This
property is historical, and I remember as a young boy
walking into the Seahorse Tavern with my Grandpa Ware. A few years ago, the Reynolds family leased this building from us and went through a lot to restore the Seahorse Tavern, with "Yes", the original bar (which was stored in my
grandparents basement on Agate St) for years. It was a
great success with the locals, as a local watering hole.
Unfortunately, the Reynolds sold the business to a
questionable individual, who did not maintain the barto community standards. I went through 2 years of frustration with these tenants that made me, the city, and some local property owners extremely unhappy. I have had new
tenants for this last year, and they have followed all of the Conditional Use Permits, CUP's by the City of Laguna, to get this business operating again. We know there are many
locals and city council people that would like to see this historical business reopened. My tenants have opened the coffee shop business in the front of this building, and it has been going well. We ask the City of LB, and residents to give us a chance to reopen the historic Seahorse Tavern again.
I know I have the right tenants to make this happen, to please both the City, and all local Laguna Beach residents again. I wouldn't be up here if I didn't believe in them to make this happen. Thank You 12/3/25
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public comment
From: Carolyn Thompson Chudy
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 7:43 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public comment
City council meeting Jan 27
Agenda Item 16
I am writing in support of reopening the Seahorse. I have lived in Laguna Beach for the past four years, and shortly after moving here, we discovered the Seahorse as a true locals' place. It quickly became one of our favorite spots in town, and we went there often.
The Seahorse was part of what made Laguna Beach feel special and welcoming, and we were extremely disappointed when it closed. It brought character, community, and a sense of place that is hard to replace.
I would also like to note that we never parked a car at the Seahorse. We consistently used public transportation, specifically the Local, to get there.
I strongly support reopening the Seahorse and hope the council will consider the positive role it played in the Laguna Beach community.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Chudy
Mckay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) From: Archer Taing
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 4:46 PM
To: Mckay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) Dear City Council,
My name is Archer Bruce WhiteDragon, and I have lived in Laguna Beach for more than three years and have been part of the community for over 10 years.
I love the Seahorse because it is a special part of our community that brings people together and adds to the unique character of our town.
Thank you for considering my public comment.
Sincerely,
Archer Bruce WhiteDragon
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Support of Seahorse
From: Bret Englander
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 3:36 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Support of Seahorse
Hello Ann,
I just wanted to share my continued support for the reopening of the Seahorse. I know the CUP will be making an exception. But it worked before, and being someone who lived in Woods Cove for almost 20 years before moving to Top of the World, so many of us would walk from several blocks. It was the perfect distance for so many of us.
Thanks,
Bret Englander
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for Jan. 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) From: Jon Shakill
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 3:03 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for Jan. 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) Dear Ms. Mckay,
I am writing in support of the reopening of the Seahorse in Laguna Beach. I have lived in Laguna Beach for 16 years, and l've been coming to Laguna Beach for over 35 years. I hope this historic local venue will soon open its doors again to the public and become a thriving local business.
I love the venue and the local community that it brings together. 1 personally know that the new owners are a great group of people who deserve to succeed in operating a small local business. I strongly urge the City Council to approve the necessary permits required, so that the Seahorse can fully open its doors to the locals and friends of Sincerely,
Jonathan Shakill
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) From: Leslie Girone
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 2:46 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 27 Council Meeting - Agenda Item 16 (Seahorse) My name is Leslie Girone Lovejoy and I've lived in Laguna Beach for just 1 year. A reason I chose Laguna Beach was for the community, and people who have worked hard to open Seahorse have been very welcoming and I look forward to growing relationships at Seahorse.
Thank you!
1