Laguna Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes May 13, 2026 for a historic resource and articulating the harmonization between the Coastal Act and State ADU law, and upholding the Design Review Board's denial of Coastal Development Permit 2026-0148, and finding the denial of the Project exempt from CEQA.
C. 31985 AND 31987 COAST HIGHWAY: PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 2026-0024, COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026- 0025, AND VARIANCE 2026-0026, FOR DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURES AND
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH A TWO-CAR GARAGE AT 31985 AND 31987 COAST HIGHWAY IN THE R-1 ZONE, AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)
Presentation and Discussion: Staff gave a presentation and responded to Councilmembers' questions.
Testimony in Support of the Appeal: Bryan Menne, appellant, presented the points of his appeal. Ann Christoph, South Laguna Civic Association, spoke in support of the appeal to preserve public views. Pat Menne described her perceived errors made in evaluating the project. Julie Edwards, Torrey Menne, and Alan Warren also spoke in support of the appeal.
Testimony in Opposition of the Appeal: Morris Skenderian, architect for the project, rebutted the comments against the project. Steve Chadima spoke in support of the project.
Rebuttal: Bryan Menne requested that the City Council remand the project back to the Design Review Board.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to continue the public hearing to the August 4, 2026, City Council meeting, to allow the applicant to work with staff to provide more restrictive conditions of approval to address City Council comments regarding the height of the proposed residence above the curb at Coast Highway.
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 8:18 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2026, adjourned to the Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California.
Approved: May 26, 2026
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Attachment 5
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