Council approves Third Street report

A trio of City Council members, who do not always share the same

philosophical positions, united Tuesday to certify the environmental

impact report for projects on Third Street.

Although no specific project was approved, the certification opens

the way for a package deal that in concept would include a senior

center, a community center, a remodeled Community Clinic and

substantial underground parking.

“I have a special deal for the council tonight and for tonight

only -- a discount of $1.6 million,” said City Manager Ken Frank, who

recommended certification of the report.

Frank said the deal hinged on the city paying for all the

underground parking, in return for having the use of it when not

needed by the three facilities. The city would collect all of the

revenue generated by public use of freed-up parking, principally at

night and on weekends

The $1.6 million in savings comes from a proposed reduction in the

size of the senior center and consequently smaller parking

requirements.

Public opposition to the certification of the report was based on

concerns about traffic congestion, which the environmental report

said could not be mitigated; pollution from additional traffic;

parking facilities, which would draw more vehicles into the Downtown

area; possible tie-ups by cars turning left into the underground

garage; and location of the senior center at the base of the Third

Street hill.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson, who chaired the hearing, said the

proposed long turning lane that would front the project from Mermaid

Street to the entrance of the underground parking by the Community

Clinic would eliminate congestion.

Village Laguna expressed concerns about the statement that the

senior center won’t use the underground parking on weekends and at

night, according to Reilly.

Past Seniors Inc. President Skipper Lynn said one of the reasons

the seniors wanted to move out of Legion Hall was so they could have

more room for more events, including nights and weekends.

The environmental report did not review the Third and Mermaid

intersection nor did it address the problems that could be caused

from left-hand turns by traffic from Laguna Canyon Road or Forest

Avenue.

Frank said the report did include the Community Clinic in the

evaluation. Clinic participation was important to the egress and

ingress to parking, because it moved it away from the base of the

hill, Frank said.

.

“I truly do not believe the city should be proceeding with a

project with impacts that can’t be mitigated,” Baglin said. “This is

a horrible location for this project. I say abandon the project , do

not certify the EIR and move the project to the Village Entrance,

where it belongs.”

City Atty. Philip Kohn advised that the only actions asked of

council on Tuesday were certification of the environmental report and

guidance to staff on proposed projects that might or might not

require adjustments in the report at a later date.

Frank will come back to the council with revised architectural

concepts, time-table for construction and budget for review, a

modified agreement with the Laguna Beach Seniors Inc., and a detailed

space plan before the city proceeds further in the approval process.

-- Barbara Diamond

Women’s Auxiliary to host Easter hunt

The Laguna Beach American Legion and Women’s Auxiliary will

sponsor the annual Easter Egg Hunt. It will take place at 1 p.m. on

Easter Sunday on the baseball field at Laguna Beach High School, 625

Park Ave. The free event is open to children 9 years or younger.

From noon to 12:30 p.m. the Easter Bunny will make a personal

appearance and will be available for photos. Information: (949)

376-6340.

RUFF to hold Easter Brunch

RUFF will have a traditional Easter Brunch at Tivoli Too in Laguna

Beach, Easter Sunday, April 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes and arrive at 10:30

a.m. Please respond to Arlene, arltink@aol.com or call (949)

651-0863, for more information.

Business club will host talk

The Laguna Beach Business Club will host two Laguna speakers, Rick

Cirelli and Steve Ewing.

The talks are open to the public but reservations are required.

The event will be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Citizens Business

Bank, located at 800 Glenneyre St.

For more information and reservations, contact Gil Thibault at

(949) 497-3331 ext. 203, Rick Cirelli at (949) 494-4701 or Steve

Ewing at (949) 497-4275.

Meeting will focus on Heisler renovations

The city will hold a workshop as officials continue to form plans

to renovate Heisler Park.

The workshop will be held for interested members of city

committees, commissions and boards on Tuesday. The 7 p.m. meeting

will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall, at 505 Forest Ave.

Information: (949) 497-3311.

Library will host poetry contest

The Laguna Beach Library will sponsor its sixth annual poetry

contest through April.

Participants can submit up to three entries by April 30. Poems can

be placed in the poetry mailbox inside the library’s front door. The

library is at 363 Glenneyre St. Information: (949) 497-1733.

Seniors Inc. monthly meeting set

The Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. monthly membership meeting will

feature Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson as a guest speaker.

She will give a presentation on the Senior Center Project,

including information on time lines and a floor plan. The meeting

will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday at Veteran’s Memorial Community

Center, 384 Legion St. Information: (949) 464-9535.

Band highlights rocket fundraiser

A community fundraiser for the new rocket ship at Bluebird Park

will include live music by the Blues Offenders, a barbecue, a silent

auction and a chance to win a two-night stay at the Montage Resort

and Spa.

The fundraiser will befrom 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18 at Tivoli

Too! at 777 Laguna Canyon Road. Tickets will cost $35 for adults

pre-paid or $40 at the door. The cost for children ages 3 to 12 will

be $15. Admission for children under two will be free. Tickets and

information: (949) 494-0514. South Lagunans can buy tickets at the

Kinsman and Kinsman CPAs, 32355 S Coast Highway.

Garden Club to host Laguna tour

The Laguna Beach Garden Club will host a tour of six North Laguna

Beach gardens. The tour will be May 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets

will cost $20, and an optional box lunch can be purchased for $10.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

To order tickets, write to Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, 357

Glenneyre St. Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For more information, call

(949) 494-4974.

Charm House Tour tickets are available

The Village Laguna Charm House Tour will feature five homes. The

tour will begin at noon May 16.

Tickets will cost $35 each in advance, and $40 the day of the

event. Tickets can be obtained by writing P.O. Box 1309, Laguna

Beach, CA 92652.

Tickets will be on sale starting in mid-late April at shops and

offices throughout town.

Annual Playhouse golf tournament set

Golfers are invited to the fourth annual Laguna Playhouse Charity

Golf Tournament to benefit the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre

Program.

Participants will play in a four person scramble that will include

wine tasting on several holes, celebrity contestants, skill contests

and a chance to win a car.

The May 4 tournament will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed

by a 5:30 dinner action and performance featuring Laguna Playhouse

students. The event will be held at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho

Santa Margarita, at 29082 Tijeras Creek.

The price for golf and dinner will be $175, dinner only will cost

$30. Information: (949) 362-7515 or https://lagunaplayhouse.com.