Much on their minds

With so many hot topics in Laguna Beach right now, from water quality to the Mar Vista project fiasco to “mansionization,” I thought it was time to take to the streets of Laguna and ask what was on residents’ minds.

Tom Girvin: “My main concern is the ability of developers to get a CUP (conditional-use permit) approved, then bring it back continually for revisions. After multiple revisions, which we call “piecemealing,” the project becomes one that probably could not have been approved if the project had been submitted with all of the changes. Some of the commissions do not like the word piecemealing but would prefer a somewhat more gentle word. The neighborhood associations have somewhat of a problem keeping the membership involved as they become discouraged, and that is what the developers and architects count on. If the city continues to bow to the developers’ wishes, the town will be lost.”

Arnold Hano: “Mansions are on my mind. Who needs a house of 17,000 square feet? Who needs a garage for 22 cars? What we need is an ordinance that defines just how big “too big” is. How about a building cap at 4,000 square feet of floor area?”

Fred Karger: “I am concerned about the recent sale of the Coast Inn and the Boom Boom Room to a Beverly Hills billionaire. The oldest and largest gay bar in Laguna Beach could be gone forever. I hope that the city will work with the developer to ensure that this historic building and gay bar will remain for at least 70 more years. Laguna Beach has always been known for its tolerance and openness, and if the Boom Boom Room closes, it would be a knife in the back of the gay and lesbian community and to all others who enjoy this part of Laguna’s heritage.”

Bruce Kirkpatrick: “How about running those festival trams year-round, on time. I’d pay $5 to ride downtown, have a great dinner with a few drinks, and ride the tram home. It would save gas, no parking problems, and most importantly, no drunk- driving problems. I would sure sleep better at night knowing my kids were riding the tram home after a night at the Sandpiper. Maybe we would start heading north for dinner again.”

Janine Robinson: “People are drawn to Laguna Beach for the features that have attracted residents for decades -- beautiful beaches, a greenbelt of pristine wilderness, a diverse and progressive population, a spirit of tolerance and activism, neighborhoods of charming and historic homes and, above all, a strong sense of community. But I worry that some of the newer residents, though apparently attracted to this city for many of the same reasons, either take these qualities for granted or are willing to sacrifice or exploit them for their own wants and needs. Longtime residents will tell you that you have to get involved and sometimes fight to preserve what makes Laguna Beach unique -- especially now that this city is under assault by media hype, nouveau riche values and opportunistic developers. The city is changing quickly, and the old guard is aging and weary. I think that this has caused some of us who are now busy raising our children here to wonder how long this precious little coastal town can hold out against these pressures.”

Roger Butow: “Laguna Beach is ruled and controlled by maybe 200 people, and there are probably 200 people who really care that it’s lost sight of its charming beach-community character and values. Unfortunately, they’re not the same 200 people.”

* James Pribram is a Laguna Beach native, board member of Clean Water Now, professional surfer and founder of the Aloha School of Surfing. He can be reached at jamo@alohaschoolofsurfing.com.

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