City Council Meeting Wrap-Up

The following is from the April 6 meeting of the City Council.

Auster appointed to commission

Artist Ken Auster was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Arts Commission. Auster’s term ends July 1, 2011.

WHAT IT MEANS

The commission has a full complement.

12-foot-high Ocean Way wall denied

The council unanimously reversed a Design Review Board approval of a 12-foot wall at the back of an Ocean Way property, requested by the owner to prevent alleged harassment and property damage. The hearing was a continuation that allowed the property owner on the other side of the proposed wall to evict tenants accused of improper conduct.

WHAT IT MEANS

With the tenants gone, the council approved a 6-foot-high wall and suggested fronting it with vegetation. The council’s decision negated the need for a variance, which the 12-foot wall required.

Downtown Plan put on fast track

The council unanimously endorsed the concept of moving faster on a review of the Downtown Specific Plan, as proposed by Councilman Kelly Boyd. Review of the plan is already on the commission’s to do list and the process has begun, but Boyd wants it to be accelerated.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council voted to put in on the agenda of the joint council/Planning Commission meeting in May. Issues of concern Boyd wants discussed include the growing number of vacancies downtown, as well as other areas and the lack of anchor stores, even if they are chains to draw customers to the area.

Also cited by Boyd as concerns:

?The prohibition on second story additions;

?Impractical parking regulations that require on-site parking, rather than a cooperative overall plan;

?Lack of resident-serving facilities.

Miller home considered historic

The council unanimously voted to consider putting the Hortense Miller home on the National Registry of Historical Places.

The house is an example of mid-century architecture and has many historical and architectural features, said Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman, who sponsored the agenda item.

WHAT IT MEANS

To start the nominating process, the council sent the proposal to the city’s Heritage Committee and the Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden for input.

More meters for homeless funds

Five dolled-up, retired parking meters used to collect contributions for services to the homeless population raised more than $8,000 since they were installed less than two years ago. The council voted unanimously to add more.

WHAT IT MEANS

More places for donations, which help fund services provided by the Laguna Beach Relief and Resource Center. Staff was directed to come back with suggestions for locations.

Water boundary changes opposed

The council went on record 4 to 1 as opposed to legislation that would revise the boundaries of the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson voted no, based on her conviction that the boundaries should be watershed-and-science based.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council voted to send letters to Assembly Committee on Environmental Quality and Toxic Materials Chair Pedro Nava and committee members opposing the bill, citing concerns for water quality in Aliso Creek and the Pacific Ocean.