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.
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