Laguna Beach Administrative Community Development Director Meeting - April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

Executive Summary

- Planning Manager Bill Rodriguez conducted an administrative hearing on April 15, 2026, for a design review application at 983 Noria Street submitted by homeowner Rod Mortazavi. - The project proposes exterior modifications to an existing single-family residence, including replacing 40-year-old wood guardrails with glass, window and door replacements, extending an existing elevated deck by approximately 2-3 feet, and replacing siding and a driveway. - Planning Manager Bill Rodriguez identified technical issues with the submitted plans, including outdated building code references (2022 codes instead of the current 2025 codes) and incorrectly drawn 45-degree additional building setback angles that may affect compliance of the proposed deck extension. - The hearing officer indicated willingness to approve cosmetic fixes (guardrail replacements, window/door changes) immediately but expressed concerns about whether the three-foot deck extension complies with code requirements. - Planning Manager Bill Rodriguez continued the matter to April 29, 2026, to allow the applicant and contractor to work with planning staff to resolve the code compliance issues and update the plans. - The applic

Key Decisions

- Planning Manager Bill Rodriguez continued Design Review Application 2025-1915 for 983 Noria Street to April 29, 2026, at 3:00 PM to allow for plan corrections and code compliance verification. - The hearing officer determined that cosmetic modifications (guardrail replacements, window and door changes) could be approved but that the deck extension requires further review for code compliance. - The applicant was directed to work with Associate Planner Matthew Kilroy to update plans with current 2025 building codes and correct the additional building setback angle drawings. - Revised plans mus