Laguna Beach Design Review Board Meeting - August 13, 2026

August 13, 2026

Executive Summary

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board met on August 13, 2026, with Chair Emir Balta presiding and all five members present, including Board Member Lewis participating remotely from Arizona. The board reviewed nine design review applications across Laguna Beach, approving most projects with modifications while continuing others to future dates. Staff Planning Manager Bill Rodriguez presented the new Design Review Efficiency Ordinance adopted by City Council on July 21, 2026, which reduces design review criteria from 16 to 11, removes swimming pools and spas from design review purview (unless more than three feet above grade), and establishes a 5% cap on building site coverage exceedances without requiring a variance. The board approved projects at 747 St. Anne's Drive (Design Review 2026-1336) with conditions limiting pool equipment operation hours and requiring sound attenuation, at 6601 Terrace (Design Review 2026-1314) with approximately 3% excess building site coverage, at 146 Crescent Bay Drive and 400 Locus Street with material and landscaping modifications, at 1694 Del Mar Avenue (Design Review 2026-1191) with a revocable encroachment permit requiring public trail access impr

Key Decisions

- Approved consent calendar for 30722 Driftwood Drive (Resolution 2026-1194) approving Design Review 2026-1194, Coastal Development Permit 2026-1196, Variance 2026-1195, and Revocable Encroachment Permit 2026-1302 (unanimous) - Continued 1199 Temple Hills Drive to public hearing on October 8, 2026 (unanimous) - Continued 2231 Eagle Rock Way to public hearing on September 10, 2026 (unanimous) - Approved 747 St. Anne's Drive (Design Review 2026-1336) with conditions requiring pool equipment sound attenuation and limiting operation hours to 9 PM-9 AM off period (approved 4-1, Board Member Gibbs d