Laguna Beach Design Review Board Meeting - April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach Design Review Board met on April 9, 2026, with Board Member Shaveta Sharma welcomed as a new member. - The Board approved six projects including additions, ADUs, variances, and new construction at properties throughout Laguna Beach. - The most controversial project at 399 Pearl Street was approved 3-1 over neighbor privacy and building site coverage concerns, with Chair Gibbs dissenting. - A variance was granted for 9 Smithcliffs Road to exceed the 25-foot height limit to 35 feet, consistent with other homes in the neighborhood. - The Board approved a new single-family residence at 1040 Skyline Drive with a variance for no on-site turnaround. - Projects at 567 Dunnigan Place, 31652 Scenic Drive, and 660 Temple Hills Drive were approved with minor modifications for landscaping and lighting. - The final project at 950 Baja Street generated extensive public comment about mass, scale, and neighborhood compatibility following a City Council remand.

Key Decisions

- Approved draft Design Review Board minutes for November 13, 2025 (4-0 vote). - Approved Design Review 2026-0368, Variance 2026-0369, and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0370 for 9 Smithcliffs Road with a variance to exceed the 25-foot R1 height limit to 35 feet (4-0 vote). - Approved Design Review 2026-0492 for 567 Dunnigan Place using expedited review process (4-0 vote). - Approved Design Review 2026-0395 and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0396 for 31652 Scenic Drive with conditions to eliminate rope lighting from the lighting plan (3-0 vote, with Sammi Montalto recused). - Approved Design