Laguna Beach Planning Commission - May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach Planning Commission held its meeting on May 20, 2026, reviewing material selections and landscaping for Fire Station #4, approving a modified mixed-use project at 1040 South Coast Highway, and approving a permanent parking lot operation at 104 North Coast Highway. - Fire Station #4 (Design Review 25-0261): City Engineer Thomas Perez presented final colors, materials, and landscaping recommendations developed with Planning Commissioners Commissioner Whiten and Commissioner Dubin and Morris Skenderian. The Commission provided input on natural versus synthetic wood siding, split-face block versus San Onofre breccia stone veneer, landscape plant selections, and removal of bollards. Final approval authority rests with the City Manager per City Council Resolution #25.043 Condition No. 31. - 1040 South Coast Highway (Design Review 2026-0844, CDP 2026-0845, Variance 2026-0841): The Commission unanimously approved (5-0) a modification to a previously approved mixed-use project, including a mirrored upper-level floor plan, expanded residential decks, and a variance for front yard open space encroachment. Architect Anders Lasater presented the revised design, which better r

Key Decisions

- The Planning Commission provided unanimous guidance to the City Manager to use San Onofre breccia stone veneer instead of split-face concrete block for Fire Station #4's primary facades, with consideration of commercially available alternative stone if insufficient breccia is sourced. - The Commission unanimously recommended natural acoya wood siding for Fire Station #4 with staining to avoid a light beige appearance, preferring this over synthetic PVC/composite materials. - The Commission recommended removing the previously approved bollards in front of Fire Station #4's apparatus bays. - T