City accepts 2nd-unit rules

The City Council approved new rules on Tuesday for the construction

of second units in single-family neighborhoods as mandated by the

state.

New state legislation forbids cities to require a conditional use

permit for second residential units in the R-1 zone and eliminates

the age limits on what used to be called “granny flats.” The goal is

to increase affordable housing.

However, in Laguna Beach, small second units won’t be cheap.

“If you look in the ‘Pennysaver,’ one-bedroom apartments or

studios go for $1,200 to $1,500 a month,” said Councilman Wayne

Baglin, a real estate broker.

Baglin and Mayor Toni Iseman voted against the amendment

recommended by the Planning Commission, which also split 3 to 2.

Iseman said the amendments needed more study.

Community Development Director Kyle Butterewick advised the

council to be sure of what is wanted in the amendments because

special restrictions cannot be attached in the future.

“We could end up with a city covered in concrete,” Iseman said.

The commission’s proposed amendment limited construction of second

units to 640 square feet on parcels of 9,000 or more square feet.

“There are not a lot of 9,000-square-foot lots in Laguna,” Baglin

said. “This might work in urban areas such as San Francisco, but it

will be difficult to make the model fit in Laguna Beach.”

The commission also thought one parking space per second unit was

sufficient, but the council added a second space to the amendments.

“I live where there are a lot of rental units,” Councilwoman

Elizabeth Pearson said. “They all park on the street, including me.”

The second units will increase density, Planning Commissioner

Norman Grossman said.

“But that is the intent,” he said. “It is the only way to make

housing more affordable.”

Public notices to neighbors will still be required of proposed

construction, which cannot be approved without making sure it

complies with the city’s certified Local Coastal Program. Design

review cannot be construed as a “use” issue.

Also, the city must file a final local action notice with the

California Coastal Commission and inform interested people of the

procedures for appeals of the final action to the commission.

The amended state law will go into effect July 1. The city

amendment goes into effect 30 days after the second reading, set for

May 6.

-- Barbara Diamond

City Council decides against a car count

The City Council took no action Tuesday on a proposal by Mayor

Toni Iseman to take a count of the number of Downtown employees who

park in metered spaces all day.

“We all know the employees park Downtown,” Councilwoman Cheryl

Kinsman said. “It’s no secret. And we probably made it worse by

increasing the parking to three hours. They are going to park as

close to work as they can.”

Kinsman and the rest of the council, except for Iseman, preferred

to leave the count up to whomever the city hires to conduct a traffic

and parking study of the Downtown.

“I have been studying the RFP [requests for proposals] from a

consultant’s view and I have some suggestions to eliminate some of

the confusion,” traffic consultant Jack Camp said.

For one thing, he said, the study should not be confined to the

peak period of May to September.

“Laguna Beach is becoming a year-round destination beach

community,” Camp said. “It is important to get the difference between

the high and the low visitation.”

He also said the request for proposals should clarify the reason

for breaking it into two phases.

Phase 1 in the request for proposals on the study prepared by

Kinsman and associates focused on the area of the Village Entrance.

Phase 2 takes in the rest of Downtown and has not been funded.

There are about 2,000 parking spaces Downtown, said Carolyn Wood,

Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee member. Businesses are

required to provide parking for their customers, based on a city

formula. Employee parking is not included in the formula, Wood said.

There have been several surveys of the number of Downtown

employees taking up metered spaces. Penny King organized for the

Chamber of Commerce when she was on the board. She also worked on one

while a member of the city’s Parking, Traffic and Circulation

Committee.

The last study was done by the committee in 1997-98.

-- Barbara Diamond

Events set for Wilderness Park’s 10th anniversary A day of outdoor events is set in honor of the 10th anniversary of

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park on April 26.

The activities will begin at 8 a.m. with special hikes and

wilderness access activities.

At 8 a.m., there will be special docent-led hikes and a five-mile

Dartmoor Street hike, and later, a 3.5-mile Ridge Park hike. Meet at

Willow Canyon Staging Area and ride a free shuttle to trail access

point. Hikes conclude back at the parking area. Also at 8 a.m., the

Laurel Canyon loop guided hike is available.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., participate in Wilderness Access Activities

for hikers, mountain cyclists and equestrians. Park at the Willow

Canyon Staging Area or -- for hiking only -- Dilley Preserve on

Laguna Canyon Road.

At 11 a.m., Orange County Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson and Laguna

Canyon Foundation President Michael Pinto will share updates on the

proposed James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center and Interpretive

Program, recognition of major park donors and a status report on the

Laguna Canyon Road realignment project and its effect on the park.

Meet at Willow Canyon Staging Area, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road, for the

ceremony.

The event is sponsored by Laguna Canyon Foundation, Laguna

Greenbelt Inc., the Nature Conservancy and Orange County Harbors,

Beaches and Parks. For information and reservations, call (949)

855-7275. Visit www.lagunacanyon.org.

Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show set

St. Catherine of Siena Council of Catholic Women will hold their

annual Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. May 13 at Tivoli Too, 777

Laguna Canyon Road.

Tickets must be purchased by May 4. Information: 494-7761.