RESOLUTION NO. 25-2345
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT 2025-2345 AND LOCAL COASTAL
PROGRAM AMENDMENT 2025-2369 TO REMOVE A
MAPPED SIGNIFICANT WATERCOURSE LOCATED AT 600
BUENA VISTA WAY FROM THE CITY’S OPEN SPACE AND
CONSERVATION ELEMENTS MAJOR WATERSHEDS AND
DRAINAGE COURSES MAP AND FINDING THE PROJECT
EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15061(B)(3)
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2025, an application was filed by the owner of property located at 600 Buena Vista Way (“Applicant”), requesting an update to the Major Watersheds and Drainage Courses Map in City’s Open Space and Conservation Elements for a parcel containing a mapped significant natural watercourse in the R/HP (Residential Hillside Protection) zone. (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, based on the technical evidence provided, the subject significant natural watercourse does not serve an ecological, scenic, or functional purposes. Accordingly, the proposed project would not impair resources associated with wildlife habitat, hydrologic function, view corridors, density relief, or general aesthetic appeal; and WHEREAS,the Planning Commission conducted a duly-noticed public hearing on February 18, 2026, and continued the Project to their regular meeting on March 4, 2026; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a duly-noticed public hearing on March 4, 2026, pursuant to Title 25, Zoning, of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code (LBMC). The Planning Commission has considered all public testimony on the proposed Project and all relevant public comments, and all documents and evidence submitted, including but not limited to the staff report, attachments, and materials submitted by the Applicant; and WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Laguna Beach does hereby find, determine, and resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution by this reference.
SECTION 2. The Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Here, the Project is limited to an update to the Major Watersheds and Drainage Courses Map in City’s Docusign Envelope ID: E7EE63C7-FB21-4757-9E20-2CFD6A2CAE72 Attachment 7
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Planning Commission Resolution 25-2345
March 4, 2026
Open Space and Conservation Elements as the significant natural watercourse no longer serves a distinct functional, scenic or ecological purpose. Further, none of the exceptions outlined in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. The project site is fully developed with an existing residential use and is surrounded by public streets and other developed properties, and it contains no environmentally sensitive areas beyond the mapped earthquake fault. Although the City’s environmentally sensitive areas maps identify a fault on the site, the proposed project involves no physical change and therefore has no potential to result in a significant effect on the environment. The deletion of the watercourse from the property will not induce development on the property as this area of the property is restricted as dedicated open space under the original project entitlements. There will be no cumulative impact resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time, as the current request is limited in nature to the watercourse mapped through the property. There are no unusual circumstances resulting in a significant impact on the environment. There will be no damage to scenic resources, including trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings or similar resources, within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway. The Project is not located on a hazardous waste site or any other site included on a list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5. The Project will not result in significant adverse impacts to historical resources as defined by CEQA because there are no historic resources on the subject property and none in the Project vicinity that would be impacted by the proposed improvements. As the Project has no potential to cause a significant environmental effect, the exemption applies and no further environmental analysis is required under CEQA.
SECTION 3. The Planning Commission hereby recommends approval of General Plan Amendment 2025-2345 and Local Coastal Program Amendment 2025-2369 for the removal of a designated watercourse from the City’s Open Space and Conservation Elements to the City Council.
Proposals to add or delete watercourses from the environmentally sensitive areas map, or to change the status of significant watercourses shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall make its determination based on its assessment of the watercourse as it relates to the criteria listed in LBMC subsection 25.50.030 (A) (1), that a significant watercourse can be deleted only if it is determined that it no longer serves a distinct functional, scenic or ecological purpose. Significant natural watercourses are those that are in their natural condition and which serve a distinct functional scenic or ecological purpose. As applied, ecological purposes include those related to wildlife habitats, particularly feeding, watering and breeding areas; and biotic habitat areas. Scenic purposes include those related to view corridors, density relief or general aesthetic appeal. Functional purposes include those related to hydrologic considerations. Furthermore, LBMC Section 25.50.030(B) provides the process for Demolition or Deletion of a mapper watercourse. Proposals to add or delete watercourses from the environmentally sensitive areas map, or to change the status of significant watercourses shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Public notice shall be subject to the provisions of Sections
25.05.065 and 25.07.026. The Planning Commission shall make its determination based on its assessment of the watercourse as it relates to the criteria listed in subsection (A); provided, however, that a significant watercourse can be deleted only if it is determined that it no longer serves a distinct functional, scenic or ecological purpose. The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council pursuant to Section 25.05.070.
Docusign Envelope ID: E7EE63C7-FB21-4757-9E20-2CFD6A2CAE72 133
Planning Commission Resolution 25-2345
March 4, 2026
Based on the studies submitted by the applicant, the significant natural watercourse identified in the City’s Open Space and Conservation Elements Major Watersheds and Drainage Courses map, meets the criteria for deletion of a watercourse. The Hydrology Study, prepared by Toal Engineering, Inc. and dated October 23, 2025, concluded that all existing and proposed upstream tributary areas to the mapped drainage are currently captured by drain inlets and pipes and discharged to Temple Hills Drive or have historically flowed down Buena Vista Way. Therefore, the site does not function as a natural drainage course providing hydrologic or watershed-related benefits.Additionally, the Biological Resources Review, prepared by LSA and dated October 21, 2024, found that no wetlands, drainage features, or riparian habitat areas were recorded on the property during the site survey, and the project site does not function as a wildlife movement corridor. As such, the property does not provide ecological value in the form of wildlife habitat, biotic habitat areas, or wildlife movement pathways. The existing mapped significant natural watercourse does not provide a scenic benefit within the developed residential context. This request is not associated with a development application that could affect views or scenic corridors.
Based on the technical evidence provided, the subject significant natural watercourse does not serve an ecological, scenic, or functional purposes as defined above. Accordingly, the proposed project would not impair resources associated with wildlife habitat, hydrologic function, view corridors, density relief, or general aesthetic appeal.
SECTION 4. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which this Resolution has been based are located at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue Laguna Beach, CA 92651. The custodian of the record of proceedings is the Director of Community Development.
SECTION 5. If any provision of this Resolution is held invalid, the remainder of this Resolution shall not be affected by such invalidity, and the provisions of the Resolution are severable. / / /
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Docusign Envelope ID: E7EE63C7-FB21-4757-9E20-2CFD6A2CAE72 134
Planning Commission Resolution 25-2345
March 4, 2026
ADOPTED this 4
th day of March, 2026.
AYES: Commissioner(s) DUBIN, GOLDMAN, SADLER, WHITIN
NOES: Commissioner(s)
ABSENT: Commissioner(s)
RECUSED: Commissioner(s) KELLENBERG
ATTEST:
Steven Kellenberg, Chairperson
Planning Commission
City of Laguna Beach, California
Samantha Beier, AICP
Planning Manager
City of Laguna Beach, California
Docusign Envelope ID: E7EE63C7-FB21-4757-9E20-2CFD6A2CAE72 135
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: E7EE63C7-FB21-4757-9E20-2CFD6A2CAE72 Status: Completed Subject: Complete with Docusign: Resolution No. 25-2345 (600 Buena Vista) Source Envelope:
Document Pages: 4 Signatures: 2 Envelope Originator:
Certificate Pages: 4 Initials: 0 Nancy Cardoza
AutoNav: Enabled
EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled
Time Zone: (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
505 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
[email protected]
IP Address: 64.58.157.194
Record Tracking
Status: Original
3/5/2026 9:08:40 AM
Holder: Nancy Cardoza
[email protected]
Location: DocuSign
Signer Events Signature Timestamp
Samantha Beier
[email protected]
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Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address: 64.58.157.194
Sent: 3/5/2026 9:10:35 AM
Viewed: 3/5/2026 9:15:11 AM
Signed: 3/5/2026 9:15:34 AM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Accepted: 3/5/2026 9:15:11 AM
ID: 2a2f18ab-1ce2-4f37-8d58-7ba2622332d0
Steven Kellenberg
[email protected]
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(None)
Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address: 68.96.92.231
Sent: 3/5/2026 9:15:36 AM
Viewed: 3/5/2026 9:32:44 PM
Signed: 3/5/2026 9:32:55 PM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Accepted: 3/5/2026 9:32:44 PM
ID: 326408dc-3196-45e8-97c2-5cceec311edb
In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp
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Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted 3/5/2026 9:10:35 AM
Certified Delivered Security Checked 3/5/2026 9:32:44 PM 136
Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps
Signing Complete Security Checked 3/5/2026 9:32:55 PM
Completed Security Checked 3/5/2026 9:32:55 PM
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Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure
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