Laguna Beach Planning Commission - April 3, 2024

April 3, 2024

Executive Summary

- The Planning Commission met on April 17, 2024, to address three main items: a continuation request for a hotel project, citywide zoning ordinance amendments for artist occupancy permits, and a work session on commercial design guidelines. - Staff requested a continuance of Design Review 22-2304 for Hotel Laguna at 425 S. Coast Highway to the May 15, 2024 Planning Commission meeting to allow the applicant additional time to provide requested information. - The Commission reviewed proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment 24-0519 and Local Coastal Program Amendment 24-0520 to establish artist occupancy permit regulations citywide. - A work session was held on developing commercial design guidelines for properties along Coast Highway and Glenneyre Street (excluding the Downtown Specific Plan area), with Planning Commission subcommittee members Commissioners Whitin and Dubin assisting staff. - All items included CEQA exemptions, with the hotel project qualifying under historical resource restoration and existing facilities exemptions, the zoning amendments exempt as not constituting a "project," and the design guidelines exempt as a feasibility study. - The design guidelines are in an earl

Key Decisions

- Staff requested and the Planning Commission was expected to continue Design Review 22-2304 for Hotel Laguna (425 S. Coast Highway) to the May 15, 2024 Planning Commission meeting. - The Planning Commission was requested to adopt a resolution recommending City Council adoption of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 24-0519 and Local Coastal Program Amendment 24-0520 regarding artist occupancy permits. - The Planning Commission was asked to find the zoning ordinance and local coastal program amendments exempt from CEQA. - The Planning Commission was requested to find the commercial design guidelines wo