Laguna Beach Design Review Board - January 23, 2025

January 23, 2025

Executive Summary

- The Design Review Board met on January 23, 2025, to review nine regular business items, all single-family residential projects requiring design review and coastal development permits. - Two consent calendar items were continued: 232 La Brea Street was continued to March 13, 2025, and 999 Oriole Drive was continued to February 13, 2025, both to allow additional time for design changes and neighbor outreach. - The Board reviewed projects at 48 N Portola, 806 Gainsborough Drive, 505 Blumont Street, 547 Alta Vista Way, 1223 Skyline Drive, 1639 Eleanor Lane, 629 Balboa Avenue, 1560 Bluebird Canyon Drive (Lot B), and 2840 Zell Drive. - Several projects required variances for significant watercourse encroachments, retaining wall heights, and parking requirements, particularly in the Diamond/Crestview Specific Plan area. - Multiple items were second hearings following continuances from October 24, 2024, and November 14, 2024, meetings with Board direction provided at those hearings. - Staff recommended the Board provide direction rather than approval for two projects (629 Balboa Avenue and 1560 Bluebird Canyon Drive Lot B) due to concerns about design articulation, neighborhood compatibi

Key Decisions

- Approved continuance of Design Review 24-0484 and Coastal Development Permit 24-1086 for 232 La Brea Street to March 13, 2025 (Item 4.1) - Approved continuance of Design Review 24-1344, Coastal Development Permit 24-1343, and Variance 24-1345 for 999 Oriole Drive to February 13, 2025 (Item 4.2) - Staff recommended approval of Resolution 24-2605 for Design Review 24-2605 at 48 N Portola for an upper-level addition and elevated deck (Item 5.1) - Staff recommended approval of Resolution 24-2193 for Design Review 24-2193, Variance 24-2192, and Coastal Development Permit 24-2194 at 806 Gainsborou