Inn changes OKd

The proposed renovation of the Coast Inn got a unanimous vote of approval April 14 from the Laguna Beach Planning Commission. But still unsettled is the question of whether the property — former site of the iconic Boom Boom Room gay bar — will be granted a coveted “K” rating for its historic importance to the city.

Gay activists have sought to pressure the owner, Steven Udvar-Hazy, into keeping the Boom Boom Room open or donating the property to the city as a gay center, citing its history as a center of gay culture. The bar closed in 2008, but the hotel has remained open at 1401 S. Coast Hwy.

Udvar-Hazy, who bought the property five years ago, plans to convert the aging 1928 structure from a 25-unit hotel to a 10-suite “boutique” resort with rooftop pool and 13-space parking garage.

According to plans approved by the Planning Commission, the owner will restore an original Spanish-style cupola, turret and awnings to invoke the era of Laguna Beach in the 1930s and ’40s, when the town was being established as a resort — but no restaurant or nightclub would be included.

Two bars have been part of the property since it was built, according to records provided to the city by the owner.

The original bar, which catered to Marines, was called the Seven Seas, and eventually became known as the Boom Boom Room, where gay icon Rock Hudson held court for decades.

Udvar-Hazy and his architect, Morris Skenderian, failed to obtain a recommendation for a “K” (or “Key”) rating from the Laguna Beach Heritage Commission, after four hearings on the matter.

Instead, the commission recommended the property be placed on the Historic Register as a “C-rated” (or “Contributing”) Spanish revival structure, citing many alterations over the years.

The commission also voted unanimously that the property owner include an interpretive exhibit at the property to explain its “social and physical history.”

The “K” rating is the second-highest historic designation and could allow the owner to claim valuable tax breaks under the Mills Act, which provides tax relief for historic renovations through a contract between the owner and the city.

After the “C” rating was approved by the Heritage Committee in August, Udvar-Hazy applied for an upgrade to a “K” rating in March, but was denied.

Instead of a restaurant or bar, Udvar-Hazy has proposed an art gallery or wine tasting venue on the ground floor.

The ocean-view bar that was formerly the Boom would be converted into parking for the hotel, according to plans presented to the city.

“What makes [the Coast Inn] significant is being taken away, the nightclub,” activist Audrey Prosser told the commissioners.

Fred Karger, founder of Save the Boom, which fought to keep the bar from closing, said the building is important to the gay community.

“It is a great source of pride, because this city was founded by gay artists,” Karger said.

A historic assessment states that the owner might keep two facets of the Boom Boom Room intact: the wooden floor and a mural.

But Skenderian downplayed the gay aspect of the site in comments to the commission.

“The Coast Inn is historic both in terms of its cultural value and its contributive architectural character to the city,” Skenderian wrote in a Feb. 11 letter to the commission. “For many years it provided a gathering place for many events for a variety of causes and was frequented by both the straight and gay community.”

Speaking to the commission, Skenderian said the gay cultural significance of the property would be acknowledged if warranted.

“The interpretive center should go back to the South Seas [bar era], and the gay community aspect will be part of it if it is appropriate,” he said.

Asked by commission Chairwoman Anne Johnson if the gay community will be part of the interpretive center, Skenderian said it would “if appropriate.”

Commissioner Norm Grossman said the owner should add flagpoles to further denote the historic nature of the property, and also include the recent era of gay culture in the interpretive center.

“You need to expand the history to the 1990s and acknowledge it as an iconic building to the gay community,” Grossman said.

The commission enthusiastically approved height variances for the proposed renovations, citing the reduced intensity of the 10-suite hotel as an improvement for the area.

The issue of the historic designation was continued to the commission’s May 12 meeting.