Now you see it, now you don’t

A portion of a mapped watercourse was voted off the books by the

Planning Commission.

“Bottom line; it isn’t there,” said Commissioner Norm Grossman.

“If it had been degraded five years ago, maybe it could be restored.

But it’s been too long.”

The commission voted 3-1 at the Aug. 21 meeting to delete the

portion of the watercourse, below a proposed retention basin, from

the city’s General Plan and Coastal Environmentally Sensitive Areas

maps.

Commissioner Robert Zur Schmeide opposed the decision.

Commissioner Bob Chapman has recused himself from any discussion of

the Driftwood project.

The decision was a blow to Driftwood opponents, who urged the

commission to keep the watercourse on the maps and restore it, and

flew in the face of staff recommendations. Alteration of watercourses

is a sensitive issue in Laguna Beach.

Had the commission voted to retain the watercourse below the

retention basin, a 25-foot setback from the centerline of the natural

drainage course would be required, almost certainly reducing the

number of lots that could fit onto the property. Staff has

recommended a seven-lot, no-variance proposal. The applicant is

proposing 17 lots.

The watercourse was the only item discussed at the meeting. The

indirect access variance and the layout of the tentative tract map

were continued to the Sept. 25 meeting, at the request of the

applicant.

-- Barbara Diamond

Pancakes for abuse prevention

Lagunans will wake up to the smell of pancakes cooked by local

fire fighters starting at 7 a.m. Sept. 2 when the Laguna Century

Exchange Club hosts its annual Labor Day fund-raiser at Heisler Park.

“Everything we raise goes to child abuse programs,” said Sande St.

John, who has been masterminding the event for 18 years.

The funds go to Orangewood, Children’s Hospital Orange County, the

Child Abuse Prevention Center and local programs.

The pancake breakfast on Memorial Day raised nearly $2,000, the

most the club has ever raised.

“This a real community effort,” St. John said. “It’s so beautiful

out there in the morning and people show up right at seven until we

run out.”

Guests will also be treated to a performance by Native American

flutist, Evren Ozan. Ozan is 9 years old. Volunteers will start

setting up the grills at 5:30 a.m. St. John praised Las Brisas and

Jolly Roger supporting the breakfast.

“They give us everything we need,” she said.

Heisler Park is on Cliff Drive off Myrtle Street.

-- Mary A. Castillo