Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council held a special meeting on April 28, 2025 to consider appeals of the Forest Avenue promenade project, including automatic design review appeal for Design Review Board Member Gibbs' project at 482 Aster Street (approved 3-0), and appeals filed by Village Laguna regarding the permanent closure of lower Forest Avenue. - The Council approved Resolution 25.030 designating lower Forest Avenue as a slow street, with closure authorized upon award of a construction contract (approved 5-0), denied Village Laguna's appeals, and upheld the Planning Commission's approval of the promenade design review and coastal development permits (approved 5-0). - Over 500 public comments were submitted on the promenade, with approximately 90 speakers providing testimony during the meeting, representing both supporters and opponents of the permanent street closure. - The project includes removal of 48 parking spaces, installation of new hardscape surfaces, landscaped gardens, seating areas, performance spaces, wider storefront walkways, new tree plantings, and drainage improvements, with a current budget of $3.3 million. - Village Laguna proposed hybrid alternatives including m

Key Decisions

- Approved automatic appeal of Design Review Board decision for 482 Aster Street (Chair Gibbs' project) by a vote of 3-0, with Council Members Jones and Whalen recused due to proximity. - Adopted Resolution 25.030 designating lower Forest Avenue as a slow street with closure authorized upon award of a construction contract (approved 5-0), with modifications striking language about AB413 parking implementation and modifying Section 2 regarding appeal conditions. - Denied Village Laguna's appeals and upheld Planning Commission's approval of Design Review 25-0583 and Coastal Development Permit fo