Hansen: Key issues in 2015 will require action

If you want to predict what will happen in Laguna Beach this year, just try defining Main Beach.

We know there will be tourists and everything that goes along with them.

The homeless will be milling around and doing the things that homeless people do.

Our politics will be on display as a more formal, expensive machine.

And the backdrop to all this unpredictable humanity is a gorgeous coastline, which we are trying not to screw up.

So here are my top 10 predictions for Laguna Beach in 2015. With an eye toward news and culture, I think most of the issues will revolve around growth-management issues. The city is probably at its most bifurcated in terms of wanting to preserve the status quo versus plan for the future.

10. If you build it, people will walk: It’s stunning to me how poor or nonexistent the sidewalks are in Laguna, outside of downtown. Clearly, not all neighborhoods should have sidewalks. It’s great, for example, that Woods Cove has no sidewalks because they would detract from the charm of the neighborhood. But why are there no sidewalks the entire length of South Coast Highway to Albertsons?

9. What? I can’t hear you because of the noise pollution: Whether it’s overhead jets inexplicably flying every seven minutes from John Wayne Airport or your neighborhood gardener blasting a banned leaf blower at 8 a.m. on a Saturday, there is way too much noise pollution. Both of those examples are supposed to be regulated, but little is being done. You can report the leaf blower, but landscapers flout the law. And who knows what’s going on at the airport. Councilwoman Toni Iseman made the issue a campaign pledge, so I’m guessing we will be hearing more about it.

8. Mozambique may move to Mozambique: Small-business issues will continue to pepper the city’s conversation. In 2014, Mozambique restaurant expanded its operations with a new upper deck and also tried to improve its parking. With disgruntled neighbors, Mozambique’s experience is emblematic of a Laguna population that likes to have it both ways. We want dining and nightlife but not if it’s nearby.

Full disclosure: I live near Mozambique. From my house, I can hear the birds when they squawk. But I knew what I was getting into when I moved in, so personally, I like Mozambique. It’s doing everything within its right as a business — with full transparency. As a city, we can’t ask for anything more.

7. I’ll take mine underground please: It should have happened 50 years ago, but 2015 may be the year of the underground. There seems to be enough momentum to finally bury utility lines throughout the city. It will be a long process with priority areas, but we need this to happen.

6. Can you trolley me to Trader Joe’s?: So the city will embark on a “year-round” trolley plan in the spring, testing ridership during keys times and locations. Ultimately, my hope is that the trolley makes its way up to Newport Coast and Javier’s — I mean, Trader Joe’s.

5. Will the real Laguna please stand up?: There is this undeniable whining in Laguna, with various groups crying over the good ol’ days. Blue-haired curmudgeons say they don’t ride their horses downtown anymore because it’s too crowded. Indefatigable environmentalists complain that they can’t plastic-wrap our entire wilderness area, preserving it in perpetuity. Well-heeled artists say the city has lost its edge and they are moving to their vacation homes in Taos.

So here’s the thing: It’s easy to mischaracterize these complaints as First World problems, but the groups all have valid complaints. The culture of Laguna Beach is changing and not all of it is good. Will 2015 be the year we admit this reality and plan a new vision that makes sense?

4. Brother, can you spare a Maserati?: The widening gap between rich and poor across the country is well documented. In Laguna, it’s epic. The irony is that we will debate a permanent-housing shelter in Laguna Canyon as if we are fighting World War III. Opponents are already sharpening their pitchforks. Proponents are huddled behind closed doors, consulting with advisers and trying to earn key votes. This homeless issue will be particularly nasty.

3. The city that always sleeps: In the famous song from 1964 called “Downtown,” Petula Clark sang that going downtown helped cure loneliness because of the life, music and romance. “So go downtown. Things will be great when you’re downtown.” Apparently, Laguna didn’t have record players in 1964 because our downtown is still a sleepy, lonely place that hasn’t changed much.

In 2015, the city will address the downtown plan and consider a facelift. Will it help? Will anything substantial change? Probably not, but it will be an interesting debate. I propose that they start off each meeting with a little mood music by Petula Clark.

2. Tourists versus residents smackdown: Critics say that in our constant quest to satisfy tourists and improve the business tax base, Laguna has sold its soul. Business rents have become untenable, especially for downtown merchants, and the only ones capable of surviving are the deep-pocketed chain stores, exclusive shops or very expensive restaurants. And generally that’s true.

For example, name one affordable restaurant that has opened downtown in the last five years. Only two come close: Nick’s, which is borderline, and House of Big Fish, which is now closed. The same is true in every other business category. Forest Avenue is resembling Santa Barbara, with its high-end boutiques and name-brand anonymity. Is it terrible yet? No. But we’re heading in the wrong direction. Perhaps we will find out this year who wins.

1. Please don’t close my beach: What is that smell? Keep an eye on how many sewage problems we have this year. Laguna sewers are not great, and we’ve patched ourselves a lot over the years to avoid major infrastructure projects. We also have the ongoing drought to deal with, and per capita, Laguna does not perform very well. All of this plays into our vaunted marine protection area, which frankly, is a little overwrought. Can we keep our Laguna coves pure, blue and gemlike while being realistic with our recreation rules? It’s up to us.

All of this is work, but at least we’re working in Laguna Beach.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.