PC Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 3, 2026
DRAFT
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall, Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present:
Steven Kellenberg (Chair), Jorg Dubin and Susan McLintock Whitin Commissioner Participating Remotely:
Steven Goldman (Chair Pro Tem)
Commissioners Absent:
Ken Sadler
Staff Present:
Samantha Beier, Planning Manager; Patrick Donegan, Assistant City Attorney; Alyssa Suarez, Associate Planner; Tierney Doran, Recreation Supervisor; Shaveta Sharma, Senior Planner; Nancy Cardoza, Administrative Assistant
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (Non-Agendized Items)
None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
4.1 Concept Review 2026-1002
Action:
Motion: Commissioner Dubin moved to approve staff’s modified recommendation for the continuance of Concept Review 2026-1002 to June 17, 2026.
Second: Commissioner Whitin
Vote: Kellenberg Y, Goldman Y, Dubin Y, Sadler Absent, Whitin Y Motion carried 4-0
Attachment 7
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5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.1 Temporary Use Permit 2026-1050
Staff Presentation:
Alyssa Suarez, Associate Planner, presented an overview of the project and staff’s recommendation for approval.
Public Hearing:
Opened by Chair Kellenberg
Public Testimony:
None
Public Hearing:
Closed by Chair Kellenberg
Commission Discussion:
The commissioners were supportive of the short-term pilot program, viewing it as a lowrisk, positive community offering for children and families. Several noted it would be a fun, well-located activity with good accessibility and no fees.
It was highlighted that while adjacent residents may experience some short-term impacts, the limited duration and small scale made it acceptable. It was also suggested the program could benefit from additional operating days but acknowledged funding and logistical constraints. Commissioners agreed it was an appropriate test or pilot with minimal downside and expressed support for moving it forward.
Action:
Motion: Commissioner Whitin moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-1050, approving Temporary Use Permit 2026-1050 and finding said action exempt from CEQA.
Second: Commissioner Dubin
Vote: Kellenberg Y, Goldman Y, Dubin Y, Sadler Absent, Whitin Y Motion carried 4-0
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5.2 Ministerial Design Review 2026-1135, Design Review 2026-0863, and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0864; and Tentative Parcel Map 2026-0865 and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0954
Staff Presentation:
Shaveta Sharma, Senior Planner, presented an overview of the project and staff’s recommendation for approval.
Public Hearing:
Opened by Chair Kellenberg
Public Testimony:
Pastor Rodrick Echols, Cody Engel, Kurt Weese, Adam Kaufman, Diane Harrison, Cesar Covarrubias, Bob Borthwick, Elizabeth Hansburg, Zoe Bond, Julie Hall, Carrie Reynolds and Barbara McMurray were in support of the project
Jacob Cherub opposed the project.
David Kukuk, an adjacent Cleo Street resident, stated that he had not been contacted directly by the applicant despite living next to the project site. He noted that accommodations were made for other neighboring streets and requested similar consideration for Cleo Street residents.
Sharon Fitzsimons, Richard Plavetich, Monika Merchan and Dani Palomino raised concerns with the project.
Ann Christoph urged the Commission to acknowledge the historic significance and preservation of the two existing buildings. She also supported increasing the Glenneyrefacing setback to reduce the visual impact of the upper story, expressed concerns with the proposed faux stone material, and voiced support for the project's affordable housing component.
Alan Warren requested to postpone the project.
Public Hearing:
Closed by Chair Kellenberg
Commission Discussion:
The commissioners expressed strong support for the affordable housing project, emphasizing the importance of providing housing opportunities for people who work in Laguna Beach, including teachers, public safety personnel, service workers, families, and longtime residents. Several commissioners noted that the inability of many local workers to afford housing in the community is a longstanding issue and viewed the project as an important step toward addressing that need.
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Commissioners acknowledged that state housing laws, including SB 4, the Density Bonus Law, and the Housing Accountability Act, significantly limited the Commission’s discretion. They stated that the project met the applicable legal requirements and that they could not make the findings necessary to deny the project, density bonus concessions, waivers, or related approvals.
The Commission commended the applicant for working with neighbors and voluntarily modifying the project over time. They noted that the building height had been reduced, the density was lower than what could have been pursued under state law, and design changes had been made to address neighborhood concerns regarding views, compatibility, colors, landscaping, and overall appearance.
The Commission supported the alternative color scheme, additional landscaping enhancements, and use of textured materials such as split-face block on retaining walls.
Commissioners also encouraged continued collaboration with neighbors regarding landscaping and screening treatments.
Commissioners found that the project was consistent with Coastal Act objectives, including increasing housing opportunities for people of varying income levels within the coastal zone. They also concluded that no significant, unmitigable impacts to public health, safety, the environment, or coastal resources had been demonstrated.
The Commission expressed appreciation for the applicant’s willingness to make voluntary modifications beyond what was legally required and indicated their support for approval of the project, incorporating the design refinements and commitments discussed during the hearing.
Action:
Motion:
Commissioner Whitin moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-1135, approving Ministerial Design Review 2026-1135 for demolition of an existing parsonage building and existing surface parking lot and construction of a multi-family residential building (28 affordable housing rental units and 1 manager’s unit) and 41-stall parking garage, Design Review 2026-0863 for site improvements associated with the multi-family residential building, including grading, retaining walls, landscaping, and elevated deck, and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0864 for such non-exempt development within the coastal zone at 340 St. Ann’s Drive in the Local Business Professional (LBP) and Residential Medium Density (R-2) zones; and finding that no further environmental review is required under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 or alternatively is not a project or is exempt under Government Code Sections 65913.16(c) and (b) (12)(B) and 65913.16(l)(7), respectively;
Commissioner Whitin further moved to also adopt Resolution No. 2026-0865, recommending the City Council approve Tentative Parcel Map 2026-0865 to merge four parcels into two parcels and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0954 for such 394
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non-exempt development within the coastal zone at 340 St. Ann’s Drive in the Local Business Professional (LBP) and Residential Medium Density (R-2) zones; and finding that no further environmental review is required under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 or alternatively is not a project or is exempt under Government Code Sections 65913.16(c) and (b)(12)(B) and 65913.16(l)(7), respectively.
Second: Commissioner Dubin
Vote: Kellenberg Y, Goldman Y, Dubin Y, Sadler Absent, Whitin Y Motion carried 4-0
6. OTHER BUSINESS
None
7. COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONERS, AND STAFF REPORTS
None
8. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Adjourned at 8:46 p.m. to the regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for June 17, 2026.
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