Laguna Residents First Pause Signature Gathering Amid Coronavirus

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — In what they call a "minor setback," the group Laguna Residents First is pausing their in-person signature gathering during the new coronavirus pandemic.

The goal of the resident's advocacy group is to "save Laguna" by defending its unique character against more traffic, congestion, and parking woes. Due to the restrictions in place to halt the spread of new coronavirus, they were forced to postpone gathering signatures for their proposed ballot initiative until the state of emergency is over and the health crisis has resolved, a spokesperson told Patch.

George Weiss, a co-founder of the organization, firmly believes that "residents should have a say in large commercial projects" that will "forever change the ambiance and value of Laguna Beach.

In a document draft outlining the proposed Downtown Specific Plan is currently under review to be discussed at the next meeting on March 24. The report describes the current state of the city as well as projections for the future. Laguna Residents First is paying attention to possible changes coming.

The Laguna Residents First alliance has long been opposed to the idea of the proposed $14 million Downtown Action Plan. The report, prepared by a consultant, would remodel the look and feel of downtown, according to Weiss.

"The plan calls for removing most of the trees on Forest Avenue. That is too dramatic of a change," the group wrote on their website. They question the suggestion for "newer and better-looking trees."

For now, the group remains committed to making sure the voices of Laguna Beach's residents are heard, even amid all the noise that is the new coronavirus.

"Once the pandemic is behind us, we will resume this process of bringing a ballot initiative forward so that residents of Laguna Beach can decide," he said.

Learn more at www.lagunaresidentsfirst.com