Council to weigh buying cottage beams

The City Council will consider spending $8,400 to buy the beams and cribbing that prop up three cottages moved from Third Street and stored in Laguna Canyon waiting for a buyer.

Younger Brothers House Moving, which owns the props that support the cottages in a readily movable position, want their property back or be paid for it.

The structures were moved to Laguna Canyon in 2007 from Third Street to clear the way for the Susi Q and the Community Center to mollify residents who opposed their demolition.

None of the three cottages are rated E for exceptional, the highest rating for historical structures. One has a K for Key rating, meaning it demonstrates an architectural style or time period and is mostly in its original condition. The other two cottages are rated C for the contribution to the overall historic character of a neighborhood, deemed important to the streetscape of Laguna.

The street on which the cottages stood and the neighborhood underwent a dramatic change when the centers were built.

Although several people expressed interest in moving the three cottages to private properties in town in 2007, no proposals materialized until 2009.

Paul Gonzalez proposed moving the cottages to an adjacent property for a development he is working on, but his submittal was incomplete and he is working on a revision, according to Susan Cannan, director of Community services.

Staff is recommending buying the beams and cribbing, with funds left over from the purchase of furniture and materials for the Community Center.

The council also will consider taking a stand on a proposed tunnel under the Cleveland National Forest, which will dump even more vehicles onto Laguna Canyon Road, a direct route to Laguna Beach.

Also to be considered:

•A two-year extension for a road extension project on Ceanothus Drive in South Laguna;

•*Charging stations for electric vehicles; and

•*Additional building height in the civic arts district.

The council meets at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.