Laguna Beach Council Delays Blufftop Major Remodel Ordinance Proposal

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Beach City Council removed an agenda item from last Tuesday's meeting relating to new oceanfront development standards, the city announced.

The Blufftop Major Remodel Ordinance agenda item will be brought back along with an in-depth presentation at the April 4 City Council meeting according to a city council spokesperson. This will be the first reading of the ordinance.

The case in question revolves around the property at 966 Coast View Drive. A design review appeal is in discussion regarding the new build of a 3,593-square-foot single-family home and attached garage. Some feel it will be an eyesore and block views, while others think it has addressed concerns due to several property redesigns.

Thus far, two neighbors have appealed the board's decision, contending the project is "not neighborhood compatible" and that neighbor concerns should be heard before further decisions are made. Still, other residents claim that the new design complies with the city's residential design guidelines and that the council should approve it.

"This property has been the subject of numerous designs over the past 10 years, none of which were ever approved," wrote Kelly Boyd in a letter to the city council." We believe this applicant has finally proposed a new design that we believe complies with the City's Residential Design Guidelines and the Zoning Code, requires no variances, preserves everyone's ocean views and is neighborhood compatible both esthetically and per the pattern of development."

Neighbors have lodged complaints regarding loss of view and that the home would be incompatible due to scale, while the homeowner and architect claim that concessions have been made.

"The newly established Bluff Overlay District would enact new oceanfront development standards that are responsive to the constraints of the City's unique coastal landforms and clarifies the methodology for calculating remodels," a news release from the city said. "These provisions would allow oceanfront property owners with reasonable property improvements and reduce the potential for substantial issue findings for appealed projects."

For more information, see the agenda for the next Laguna Beach City Council Meeting.