Laguna Beach City Council Special Meeting - January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council conducted a closed session on anticipated and existing litigation involving multiple property disputes, including cases involving Edward B. Riahi/EBR Trust v. City of Laguna Beach, threats of litigation regarding 337 Hawthorne Road, a water main break on Sunset Avenue, Temple Hills Land Company v. City of Laguna Beach, and potential First Amendment challenges to Forest Avenue Promenade regulations. - Council approved the purchase of two properties at 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road from George R. Burkhardt Trusts B and C, with plans to return in February 2025 with assignment and loan documents if assignment proves feasible. - Council received a community engagement plan for the City's Community Land Trust effort to address affordable housing needs. - Council adopted an ordinance and extended an urgency ordinance to update regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) to comply with recent state law changes. - Council denied an appeal of the Design Review Board's approval for a pool, spa, deck, BBQ, and landscaping project at 8 Rockledge Road, modifying the decision with more restrictive conditions of app

Key Decisions

- Approved Purchase and Sale Agreements for the City's acquisition of real property at 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road (APNs 632-101-10 and 632-091-12) from George R. Burkhardt Trust B and George R. Burkhardt Trust C. - Authorized the City Manager to execute ancillary escrow and purchase agreement-related documents in final form as approved by the City Attorney. - Transferred an appropriation of $135,600 from the Capital Improvement Fund Future City Facilities Fund Project to the General Fund Contractual Services for due diligence services related to the Laguna Canyon Road property purchases.