PC Minutes 1 November 19, 2025
THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
November 19, 2025
A regularly noticed meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Laguna Beach, California, convened at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers on November 19, 2025.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Steven Kellenberg, and Commissioners Jorg Dubin, Susan McLintock Whitin, and Ken Sadler.
Chair Tom Gibbs, Board Members Louis Weil, MJ Coveny, and Imer Bauta.
Remote: Pro Tem Jessica Gannon
7974 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA. 90046
Remote: Chair Pro Tem Steve Goldman
1 Hotel South Beach, Business Center
2341 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, CA. 33139
Staff Present: Anthony Viera, Deputy Director
Patrick Donegan, Assistant City Attorney
Samantha Beier, Planning Manager
Bill Rodrigues, Planning Manager
Wendy Jung, Principal Planner
Nancy Cardoza, Administrative Assistant
Time of Meeting: Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
3.1 None.
Attachment 4
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4. CONSENT CALENDAR
4.1 September 3, 2025 Draft Minutes
4.2 September 17, 2025 Draft Minutes
Motion: JD Second: KS Action: The Planning Commission approved the above-mentioned Planning Commission Minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Vote: Goldman _Y Dubin Y Whitin Y Kellenberg Y Sadler _Y_
4.3 Item: General Plan Consistency 25-2296
Location: 1377 Dunning Drive | APN: 644-141-04
Request: The applicant requested a General Plan consistency determination for summary vacation of a City-owned storm drain easement measuring five feet in width and totaling approximately 973 square feet. The easement is located on private property at 1377 Dunning Drive.
Motion: JD Second: KS Action: The Planning Commission approved Resolution 25-2296 found that the potential summary vacation of the City-owned storm drain easement on the property located at 1377 Dunning Drive is consistent with the City’s General Plan and found said action exempt from CEQA. Motion carried 5-0.
Vote: Goldman _Y Dubin Y Whitin Y Kellenberg Y Sadler _Y_
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.1 None
6. OTHER BUSINESS
6.1 Item: Planning Commission and Design Review Board Joint Study Session Location: Citywide
Request: Provide direction on the development of objective design standards for single- and two-family residential projects.
Staff Presentation: Wendy Jung, Principal Planner, presented a description of the project and staff’s recommendation provided in the report.
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John Kaliski and Amee Bhatt from JKA | John Kaliski Architects presented an overview of the Design Guidelines and Standards outlined in the report.
Questions of Staff: Board Member Bauta asked whether the initial internal review included Board and Planning Commission. Staff replied that it was for staff review only.
He preferred language allowing owners to pursue a future Design Review Board and Planning Commission hearing. Ashley Brodkin, Project Manager with De Novo Planning Group, stated the proposal was one available path and multiple paths remained available, providing an option consistent with State requirements.
Board Member Coveny asked how “style groupings” would be defined for remodels. Staff responded that input from City Council, Board Members, and Commissioners would help refine an approach to improve the process.
Board Member Weil noted some residential plan areas might be missing and asked if the consultants would be open to exploring additional zones and characteristics. John Kaliski confirmed.
Chair Gibbs stated that the Design Review Board’s issues were mass and scale, view equity, and privacy, and asked whether objective standards were being considered. John Kaliski confirmed.
Chair Pro Tem Goldman asked whether the 50% retention rule for non-conforming projects should be evaluated in planning. John Kaliski replied it had not yet been considered but agreed it should be a factor. Ashley Brodkin stated the applicability of the objective design standards was currently focused on new development, not historic designation.
Commissioner Sadler asked whether, once the new process for certain residential projects was developed, anyone could opt for that pathway instead of the regular Design Review process. Staff confirmed and noted that more meetings would be held on this.
Commissioner Whitin asked whether the effort, given the City’s mostly built-out status, was primarily defensive, aimed at clarifying standards and streamlining the process for certain projects. Staff confirmed it was intended to simplify the process.
Chair Kellenberg stated the discussion was broadly framed but focused on a narrow subject—a single track of approval that an applicant could choose—and asked whether it would affect all guidelines Citywide. Staff confirmed.
Chair Gibbs asked whether the expedited application process was not limited to SB 9 (State Bill 9) or ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units) projects and would be available to everyone. Staff confirmed.
Discussion ensued regarding SB9.
Chair Kellenberg opened the public hearing.
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Public Testimony Regarding the Project: Morris Skenderian, Architect, noted that the 2010 Residential Design Guidelines, a 100-page document developed by an Ad Hoc group of designers and architects, had long guided applicants and should be reviewed if it has not been.
Ann Christoph stated the proposal involved far broader impacts and changes to existing practices than merely addressing neighborhood styles.
Penelope Milne, of Canyon Alliance of Neighborhoods Defense Organization, stated that workshops were needed to allow for interactive discussion and additional time to work on the proposal.
A resident objected to SB 9, expressing concern that it infringes upon property ownership rights.
Chair Kellenberg closed the public hearing.
Commissioners Comments: Chair Gibbs stated that objective standards should be developed to provide community protection if an alternative pathway was created for SB 9 and other new construction projects.
Staff replied that The City Council discussed policy-level considerations regarding what the City would do to help ensure the character of residential neighborhoods is maintained, while acknowledging that State laws are regularly adopted that reduce local regulatory control.
Discussion ensued regarding the scope of consultant services.
Board Member Coveny commented on the new SB 9 guidelines.
Chair Kellenberg stated that Laguna Beach is an eclectic community.
Discussion continued regarding the urgency ordinance, which addresses the immediate preservation of public peace, health or safety.
Board Member Weil commented on the Design Review Board’s challenges related to nonconforming conditions.
Commissioner Dubin stated they did not support the creation of additional zones with separate objective standards for each.
Board Member Bauta expressed support for considering architectural styles by location.
Commissioner Sadler requested clarification, asking whether SB 9 prevents the City from imposing stricter restrictions than the underlying zone and staff confirmed. 124
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Pro Tem Gannon suggested that proposed projects should avoid orienting primary living spaces toward neighboring properties to protect privacy.
Commissioner Whitin asked whether Phase One, “the box within the box,” would return for another meeting or go to the Design Review Board. Staff replied that it would conclude under the current contract.
Discussion ensued regarding future state housing laws.
The Planning Commission and Design Review Board Joint Study Session provided conceptlevel direction.
7. COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONERS, AND STAFF REPORTS
7.1 Staff Reports – None
Commissioners’ Reports – None
8. ADJOURNMENT
8.1 Adjourn – To the regular Planning Commission meeting on December 3, 2025.
Motion: KS Second: JD Action: The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m. to the regular Planning Commission meeting on December 3, 2025. Motion carried 5-0.
Vote: Goldman Y Dubin Y Whitin Y Kellenberg Y Sadler Y_ 125