Commission approves new shop

Laguna Gander will wander into history this year.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a proposal by

property owner Mark Christy to replace the landmark gift shop on the

corner of Forest Avenue and Glenneyre Street with a home furnishings

and accessories store.

“We will be an island-flavored home environment store offering

completely unique furnishings/accessories for Laguna’s unique

lifestyle,” said Laurie Alter, who submitted the application to

Planning Commission.

A remote group of sparsely developed Polynesian islands gave the

store its name: Tuvalu.

The commission sent the redesign of the store submitted by

architect Kirk Sanders on behalf of Christy and Alter back to the

drawing board to be brought more in line with the Downtown Specific

Plan goals, policies and guidelines. The commission reviews designs

and signs in the Downtown business district, as well as applications

for conditional use permits.

“We had some suggestions to make a very important, highly visible

corner of Laguna Beach more attractive,” Commissioner Norm Grossman

said.

Chamber of Commerce President Ken Delino spoke on behalf of the

Tuvalu project, which required a conditional use permit because of

the change in use.

“[Christy and I] were born and raised in this town,” Alter said.

“We know what makes Laguna one of a kind and why this eclectic mecca

must be maintained. Our store can, and will, exist only in Laguna

Beach, our hometown California seaside paradise.”

City staff recommended the continuation of the design and sign

review even before the commission hearing March 12, with several recommendations for architect Saunders. Staff said the design for the

rear of the building should provide a pedestrian-friendly environment

along Glenneyre Street, and screen all mechanical equipment.

The staff enthralled with the some of the materials selected for

the exterior of the building, particularly the proposed corrugated

metal roof, which is designed to rust.

“Commissioner Kimberly Salter raised the question of how run-off

from a rusted roof would affect water quality,” Grossman said.

Commissioner Bob Chapman suggested substituting copper for the

roof at Tuvalu.

Senior-city planner Monica Tuchscher said the prominent location

deserves a project that not only meets the Downtown Specific Plan

goals, but exceeds them.

The commission is scheduled to review the revised plans on April

9.

-- Barbara Diamond

Flags are flying on Donna Drive

The Design Review Board approved the location of three flag poles

raised by two property owners after Sept. 11.

The poles required a variance from the usual restrictions against

structures in setbacks -- restricted areas of properties.

“Structures are not allowed in the setback, and flag poles are

considered structures,” said Design Review Board member Ilse

Lenschow, who voted against the variance.

Neighbors wanted the three 15-foot poles moved out of the setbacks

on the properties owned by Canadian-born film producer Kevin Croft

and South African-born clothing manufacture Ivan Spiers, who lives

next door. The neighbors also wanted the poles lowered and the

nightlights doused.

The poles were lowered, and the property owners agreed to take

down the flags at night.

Kroft and Spiers raised the flags of their countries and of the

United States on New Year’s Eve 2001.

After complaints were received, the city ordered the poles

removed. Kroft and Spiers fought the order and threats of fines for

almost a year while seeking a variance.

The board granted the variance on March 10 on a 3-2 vote, Lenschow

and Suzanne Morrision opposed.

“None of us wanted to deprive them of their patriotic right to fly

flags,” Lenshow said. “But I think they should have done it properly.

They could have moved the poles and not needed the variance.

“However, some of the board members felt that variances had been

granted for other structures in setbacks.”

One of the justifications of a variance is that not allowing it

would deprive a property owner of rights enjoyed by others.

-- Barbara Diamond

Perfect day for a Jog-A-Thon

The March 21 Jog-A-Thon, El Morro Elementary School’s largest

fund-raiser of the year, featured blaring tunes from the Beach Boys

to Run-DMC as children in kindergarten through fifth grade, their

parents, teachers and even Principal Joanne Culverhouse circled the

course to raise money for the PTA.

Six-year-old Carlos Reynoso, who completed 16 laps in 20 minutes,

12 more than his 2002 total, had a quick answer for his favorite part

of the event:

“The eating part,” he said.

As soon as children finished running on the course, they sprinted

to the baked goods booth, seeking cupcakes.

“I want three, Dad!” 8-year-old Natalie Palmer yelled, apparently

wanting to celebrate the 17 laps she had completed.

Her father, Sam, who ran with his daughter for the full 20 minutes

in jeans and work shoes, could only smile.

“What a perfect day for this event,” he said, sweating noticeably.

“It was wet, but a whole lot of fun.”

Hillary Hillemann, who coordinates the event with Marian Barker,

said pupils were sponsored for $25 or $1 per lap, while businesses

making a tax-deductible donation of $250 or $500 received different

forms of local advertisement.

-- Mike Swanson

Laguna North elects new president

Laguna North has elected retired Judge Paul Egly as president.

Other officers named at the general membership meeting Wednesday

were: Edward Merrilees, vice president; Ken Anderson, treasurer;

re-elected directors Bette Anderson, Jane Egly, Ilse Lenschow and

Richard Osmanski; and new directors, Don Knapp, Shirley Wall and

Laura Wellsfry.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson was the

principal speaker at the meeting. He told the group of plans to

develop the former El Toro Marine Base into a park with cultural and

recreational amenities.

St. Mary’s annual rummage sale set

St. Mary’s Episcopal Churchwoman’s Evening Guild will hold its

annual rummage sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church, 428

Park Ave. Refreshments will also be sold.

Donated items may be delivered from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the

church patio above Guild Hall. For more information, call 240-3970.