Top of the World trail is step closer to an upgrade

After years of asking that a trail connecting Laguna Beach’s Top of the World neighborhood to Arch Beach Heights be renovated, residents may finally get what they want.

The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a design proposal for the trail. The City Council must now approve it.

Commissioners voted 4 to 0 to grant conditional use and coastal development permits for the city to widen and shore up the trail, which links Top of the World Drive to a fire access road on county land. Councilman-elect Robert Zur Schmiede was absent.

Bicyclists and pedestrians, including kids headed to Top of the World Elementary School, have used the trail for years, even though a majority of it sits on private property. Residents have pined for trail improvements to create a safer route, particularly through a steep stone-faced section.

Separately, commissioners approved widening a section of Top of the World Drive from 16 feet to 20 feet in front of undeveloped property, but did not give the green light for the city to install two parking spaces along the private street.

While Laguna residents might be pleased with the promise of trail improvements, they seemed put out by the street widening proposal.

Most speakers at the meeting expressed concerns that the added parking would draw unwanted visitors to the neighborhood, increasing traffic and detracting from the area’s peaceful vibe. More than 100 residents signed a petition protesting the changes.

The city supported the added parking and wider road because it would give pedestrians and cyclists access to the trail through a public road, among other reasons, project director Wade Brown wrote in an email.

In order to create a route to the pathway, the city needs to get permission, via an easement, from the owner of the property at 28901 Top of the World Drive, Jerry Sebag. Negotiations are ongoing, Brown said, adding that Sebag wants to subdivide the property.

For houses to be built on the land, on-street parking would have to be provided to comply with city code.

At this stage, there are no plans to build on the land, Greg Vail, who represents the owner, told commissioners.

“Dr. Sebag doesn’t have any reason to advocate for parking spaces,” Vail said. “We’ve looked into [finding a way to not provide on-street parking if a house was eventually built] but haven’t found an answer. If you can find an answer, we’d be more than happy.”

The majority of residents who spoke were against the road widening.

Sandie Ward moved into her home at Top of the World Drive 13 years ago and said that because residents bear the cost of road maintenance, widening would only increase that expense.

“I coordinated paving [Top of the World Drive] many years ago, went door to door and made phone calls to get checks,” Ward said. “[Paving] is our responsibility. With this additional traffic — bikers, people coming in our driveways turning around — it’s a concern.”

Even with the additional four feet, Top of the World Drive is still narrower than Alta Laguna Boulevard, with which it connects, Commissioner Ken Sadler said.

“This pinch effect happens at the end that forces traffic to slow down,” said Sadler, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. “Pulling pedestrians away from the street will increase safety, and ties into the city’s goals of multimodal transportation.”

City staff is proposing a separate pedestrian path running along the widened portion of Top of the World Drive.

When it came to the trail, public testimony left little doubt that residents want to see it improved.

“I run marathons and one of the two times I’ve taken a spill has been along this trail,” resident Tim Templeton said. “It is dangerous for a relatively fit person.”

Top of the World Elementary student Brandon Britt agreed.

“I’ve wanted to ride my bike [to school] but haven’t been able to because of the steep conditions,” Brandon said.

The renovated trail will include areas of decomposed granite, asphalt and pervious concrete, according to a city staff report. In the trail’s steep portion, a 3-foot wide stairway would be built to allow cyclists to walk their bikes through the area and create a separation from pedestrians.

To provide screening for residents of four properties along Sommet Du Monde, the city plans to install a 6-foot-tall wooden fence and add landscaping, the report says.