Element Last
Updated
Part
of
LCP?
Key Considerations
Historic Resources 2022 No Considerations for State Law:
N/A
Local Considerations:
• The City is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of its Historic Register to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and effectiveness of its historic preservation program, with the assistance of a consultant. These learnings may inform the next updates to this element.
Housing 2024 No Considerations for State Law:
• The City is currently in the 6th cycle (2021-2029). For the 7th cycle covering the 2029-2037 planning cycle, the City will be required to have its housing element certified by HCD no later than 10/15/29 to maintain compliance with Housing Element Law.
Local Considerations:
• Early planning will significantly reduce the risk of falling out of compliance with state Housing Element Law, which would subject the City to Builder’s Remedy.
Human Needs 1976 No Considerations for State Law:
N/A
Local Considerations:
• It has been 50 years since this element was last updated. Laguna Beach has changed substantially in that time, and updates are needed to reflect current personal and social needs of residents
Land Use 2025 Yes Considerations for State Law:
N/A
Local Considerations:
• The Land Use Element is a core element that is referenced when reviewing development applications and covers a myriad of topics, many of which relate to other elements of the General Plan.
Attachment 2
23 Landscape and
Scenic Highways
2018 No Considerations for State Law:
N/A
Local Considerations:
• As a relatively new element to the City’s General Plan, updates are anticipated to focus on consistency with other elements and the City’s Zoning Code.
Noise Element 2005 Yes Considerations for State Law:
N/A
Local Considerations:
• Updates will focus on consistency with other elements and the Zoning Code.
Open Space and
Conservation
2005 Yes Considerations for State Law:
• SB 272 (Laird, 2023): requires all coastal cities to develop a sea-level-rise adaptation plan by January 1, 2034, and incorporate the plan into the Local Coastal Program
• SB 1425 (Stern, 2022): requires cities to update their open space plans by January 1, 2026, to address three specific topics:
o If an environmental justice (EJ) element is required, address equitable access to open space for all residents, correlated with the EJ element o Climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space, correlated with the safety element
o Rewilding opportunities, as defined, correlated with the land use element • AB 1889 (Friedman, 2024): require cities and counties to review and update the conservation element of their general plans in the next adoption or revision of one or more elements on or after January 1, 2028, to:
o identify and analyze connectivity areas, permeability, and natural landscape areas within the jurisdiction;
o identify and analyze existing or planned wildlife passage features to ensure that planned development does not undermine their effectiveness;
o consider the impacts of development and the barriers caused by development to wildlife and habitat connectivity;
o avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts and barriers to wildlife movement to the extent feasible; and
24 o analyze and consider opportunities to remediate existing barriers to wildlife connectivity and restore degraded habitat and open space.
Local Considerations:
• Preliminary efforts to update the Open Space and Conservation Element have already been initiated. These efforts include the formation of a Community Working Group and a City Council Ad Hoc Committee, as well as the engagement of a consultant to update the City’s biological resources map
• The City has already identified a need to update its watercourse maps due to changes in watercourse conditions, both natural and manmade.
Safety 2025 No Consideration for State Law:
N/A
Local Considerations:
• This element will be closely coordinated with the Transportation, Circulation, and Growth Management Element, as discussed below.
Transportation,
Circulation, and
Growth Management
1992 Consideration for State Law:
• AB 1358 (Leno, 2008): Requires a city or county, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element, to modify the circulation element to plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways, in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan.
Local Considerations:
• As conditions and priorities have evolved, the City will revisit policies related to evacuation routes, emergency access, and the preservation of the full functional width of rights-of-way, including the use and regulation of revocable encroachment permits.
25