Landmark’s renovation planned

Laguna’s historic Heisler Building — which housed the Jolly Roger restaurant for half a century — may be getting a complete makeover designed to restore much of the site’s historical look.

The Laguna Beach Planning Commission toured the building site with owner Sam Goldstein and architect Todd Skenderian Wednesday afternoon, before the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Skenderian laid out details to remodel the first story into a Tommy Bahama retail space and the second story into a Fred’s Mexican Restaurant. He also walked commissioners through some of the building’s past.

The building’s 108-year history will come into play in the structure’s future.

“Although the building changes over time have affected the architectural style of the building, many of the historical elements still remain and they are being enhanced by the proposed design,” said Kathy Lottes, the Senior Project Manager.

Skenderian’s concept sketches outline an exterior in the French-Normandy style.

New aesthetic elements such as landscaping would be outside. The renovation would be as historically accurate as possible considering the building’s long evolution.

“It’s not a complete 100% restoration,” Skenderian said. “There have been so many changes over the years, people have been allowed to clutter it up.”

At the meeting, the Planning Commission continued its review of building plans.

Commissioners considered building variance requests and Conditional Use Permits for Tommy Bahama and Fred’s Mexican Restaurant.

The commission voted to continue all the issues to the March 26 meeting, but commission opinions indicate the requested variances will likely be approved.

The variances deal with requests to add elements to the building’s second story, which is over the 18-foot height limit for buildings in the Downtown Specific Plan.

Commissioner Norm Grossman pointed out that height variances had been granted for the building in 1994.

Representatives of Fred’s and Tommy Bahama attended the meeting, during which planning commissioners expressed concerns with the establishments, both of which are chain operations.

While the Downtown Specific Plan doesn’t prohibit chain stores, it does ban formula-based businesses.

Debbie McDonald of Tommy Bahama said the company was willing to make its Heisler Building location as Laguna Beach specific as possible.

This pleased commissioners, who indicated they were willing to approve the Tommy Bahama CUP after seeing a design concept of how to make the store a one-of-a-kind outlet.

Tommy Bahama sells higher-end beach lifestyle clothing and home furnishings. The commissioners said their higher price point puts them apart from other beachwear shops nearby.

“If there’s a formula here it’s the combining of the men’s clothing, the womens clothing and the home décor but I think that’s about where the formula stops,” Commissioner Robert Zur Schmiede said. “Their refreshing willingness to really make this something unique is not something we’re used to hearing.”

The commission was less willing to grant a CUP for Fred’s Mexican Restaurant, citing concerns about Fred’s alcohol sales.

Fred’s president Lee DeShong said the main focus is food service and alcohol sales were what kept food prices low.

But commissioners saw elements of plans for entertainment and music on top of the two bars as evidence that Fred’s operates more as a bar with food service.

“Fifty barstools and drink promotions sound a little different from a family restaurant,” Commissioner Bob Chapman said.

It’s unfortunate timing for Fred’s, because the commission is seeking to curb what they feel is an over-saturation of alcohol establishments in downtown.

Commissioners said they would likely turn down the CUP for Fred’s, but continued the vote so Fred’s staff can resubmit plans when the Heisler Building renovations come before the commission again.