Problem is that houses are being built too large

Bette Anderson

The current trend of building big houses on small lots may appeal to

some property owners and to real estate speculators, but it is

incompatible with the neighborhoods and village character of Laguna

Beach. If not checked, such development will forever change our

city’s appearance and character.

Proponents believe they should be able to do whatever they want

with their land, but this is true only when their actions don’t

interfere with the rights of others or run contrary to the law. The

problem in Laguna is that we have not had clear standards for

development, and enforcement of the existing “rules” has been

inconsistent.

As suggested by design review board member Suzanne Morrison, the

enactment of an ordinance specifying a maximum floor area allowance

for new structures and a redefinition of “buildable” lots would go

far to eliminate subjectivity and uncertainty in the Design Review

process. I suspect that many of the remaining lots in Laguna can not

be built on, except for very optimistic risk-takers.

The task force assigned to evaluate design review board functions

has issued an impressive report that, if adopted, can only improve

the process. But it is centered primarily on reducing

contentiousness, and the problem of “mansionization” goes beyond

this. It should be addressed by the City Council immediately, before

we lose forever the Laguna Beach we all know and cherish.

* BETTE ANDERSON is a Laguna Beach resident.