Laguna Beach Planning Commission - August 2, 2023

August 2, 2023

Executive Summary

- The Planning Commission conducted a compliance review and voted to revoke Conditional Use Permit 15-2458 for the Seahorse Lounge (Pearl Street General Store) at 1796 South Coast Highway due to ongoing violations including operating outside permitted hours, serving alcohol outside the approved 280-square-foot area, and having an ABC license suspension. - The Commission received a progress update on the Downtown Action Plan, which had been initiated in March 2020 but paused during the pandemic, covering street improvements, tree replacement strategies, and public realm enhancements in the Downtown Specific Plan Area. - The Commission approved Conditional Use Permit 23-0998, Design Review 23-0999, and Coastal Development Permit 23-1000 for Laguna College of Art + Design to construct a new student center building at 2825-2851 Laguna Canyon Road after demolishing an existing light industrial building. - The LCAD project includes multipurpose conference rooms, social spaces, a café/lounge, classrooms, studios, offices, a gallery, and parking lot modifications in the M-1A Light Industrial Zone. - The Commission adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the LCAD project pursuant to th

Key Decisions

- The Planning Commission voted to revoke Conditional Use Permit 15-2458 for the Seahorse Lounge at 1796 South Coast Highway based on violations including operating a bar rather than the permitted retail store with limited beer and wine service, operating outside approved hours, serving alcohol throughout the premises rather than the approved 280-square-foot area, and having an ABC license suspension. - The Commission approved Conditional Use Permit 23-0998, Design Review 23-0999, and Coastal Development Permit 23-1000 for Laguna College of Art + Design to construct a new student center buildi