Permit parking on council’s agenda

Laguna Beach city officials Tuesday will discuss permit parking within a proposed zone surrounding Mozambique Steak House.

If approved, parking will be restricted to residents from Carmelita Street to South Coast Highway and Bluebird Canyon Drive to Center Street, including both sides of Glenneyre Street, for a trial period, starting about April 1.

Mayor Toni Iseman and Councilman Kelly Boyd proposed the program after leading meetings with Mozambique neighbors who have complained about disturbances by restaurant patrons and employees.

“This is not about parking, this is about noise,” Iseman said at a September council meeting when the meetings were approved.

Restaurant representatives contend customers have no need to park on neighborhood streets because valet parking provides 169 spaces and security guards were hired to prevent disturbances.

Neighbors have also complained about loud music coming from the restaurant and would like the hours of operations curtailed, which Mozambique owner Ivan Spiers and supporters oppose.

If implemented, the program will be reviewed by the council at the Sept. 6 meeting to determine if it should be continued or revised.