Laguna Beach Planning Commission - May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

Executive Summary

- The Planning Commission reviewed the City of Laguna Beach's Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program for General Plan consistency, a comprehensive review required under Government Code Section 65401. - The Commission considered major renovations to Main Beach Park including improvements from Marine Safety Headquarters to Laguna Avenue, requiring Design Review 24-0311 and Coastal Development Permit 24-0312. - Design Review 24-0890 requested approval for exterior building color palette modifications to the Forest Avenue Mall at 332 & 334 Forest Avenue in the CBD-1 and CBD-2 zones within the Downtown Specific Plan area. - Temporary Use Permit 2024-0938 and Coastal Development Permit 2024-0939 for Pizza Express Extra, Inc. at 397 South Coast Highway sought approval for outdoor dining as an interim measure while staff evaluates a permanent Outdoor Dining and Parklet Program, with an expiration date of January 1, 2026, consistent with Assembly Bill 1217. - Design Review 23-2036 and Variance 24-0038 for 520 Cliff Drive requested approval for eight new roof-mounted air conditioning units and one ground-mounted unit along the North Coast Highway property frontage, requiring a var

Key Decisions

- The Planning Commission was requested to find the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program consistent with the City's General Plan and forward the consistency finding to the City Council. - Staff recommended approval of Design Review 24-0311 and Coastal Development Permit 24-0312 for Main Beach Park renovations, with categorical exemptions under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). - Staff recommended approval of Design Review 24-0890 for the Forest Avenue Mall color palette modifications, with a categorical exemption u