Laguna Beach Design Review Board Meeting - October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

Executive Summary

- The Design Review Board met on October 26, 2023, to review nine regular business items involving residential projects throughout Laguna Beach, ranging from spa installations to new home construction. - One item on the consent calendar (1275 Dunning Drive) was continued to November 9, 2023, to allow staff and the applicant additional time to investigate the scope of already-constructed elevated decks. - Projects included requests for design review, variances, coastal development permits, and revocable encroachment permits across multiple residential zones (R-1, R-2, TAB). - Several projects required variances for height exceedances, front yard setback encroachments, or retaining wall heights exceeding standard limits. - All projects were recommended for categorical exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) based on existing facilities modifications or new small structures. - The Board also discussed the 2024 Design Review Board calendar and December hearing date scheduling. - Multiple projects involved coastal development permits, with some located in appealable areas and others in non-appealable or excludable areas of the Coastal Zone.

Key Decisions

- Consent calendar item 3.2 (1275 Dunning Drive) was continued to November 9, 2023, to allow staff and applicant additional time to investigate the scope of work for a 122 square foot upper-level addition and 424 square feet of already-constructed elevated decks. - The Board reviewed but did not vote on nine regular business items (4.1 through 4.9), as this is an agenda document rather than meeting minutes.