Residents sue over design appeal

A group of residents has filed suit against the city for a design

review appeal the group claims violated California law.

The group, Laguna Beach Citizens for Responsible Coastal

Development, filed suit in February in Orange County Superior Court.

The group includes Irvine Cove residents, Andy Alison, Frank Arciero,

and Stefan Manolakas, who have voiced their opposition to the project

at City Council and Design Review Board meetings.

The group seeks to overturn a design review appeal made by Ron and

Yolanda Loder that the City Council approved in December.

The proposed Loder residence, which would be built on Riviera

Drive in Irvine Cove, would have more than 13,000 square feet of

living space, a garage larger than 11,000 square feet and a basement

of more than 5,000 square feet, according to the lawsuit.

The suit charges the city did not conform to procedures outlined

by the California Environmental Quality Act.

“The basic argument is you can’t just ignore CEQA when you’re

building a structure of this scale and dimension,” plaintiffs’

attorney Paul Singarella said.

City Manager Ken Frank said the bulk of the defense in a lawsuit

filed over any design review appeal falls on the person who filed the

appeal.

Ron Loder, who is named in the suit along with his wife and the

Loder family trust as “Real Parties in Interest” rather than as

defendants said he, the trust and the city would “fight vigorously to

defend our rights.”

The two sides are still working out a court schedule, Singarella

said, adding he expects a trial calendar to be ready in June.

-- Barbara Diamond

Two promoted, one resigns, one awarded

City Hall announced the promotion of two city planners and the

resignation of the finance director. A professional organization

announced recognition of the city treasurer.

Liane Schuller has been appointed zoning administrator, taking

over the position vacated by John Tilton. Prior to her appointment

Schuller was a Community Development Department senior planner,

responsible for reviewing zoning submittals for conformance with city

standards and for the evaluation of zoning ordinances as they pertain

to community goals.

In her new position, Schuller will serve as the principal staff

liaison to the Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment.

“I will be working more closely with the board, applicants and

neighbors on issues related to design and property development,”

Schuller said.

Schuller has a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planing

from Cal Poly, Pomona. She has been employed by the city since May

1989.

Former senior planner Ann Larson has been promoted to Planning

Administrator.

Larson has been a senior planner for 14 years. She worked on the

complex Driftwood Estates project through its approval by the City

Council, the closure of Treasure Island and is staff liaison to the

Laguna Beach Heritage Committee. She helps organize Heritage Month

activities.

Liz Andrew, Laguna Beach finance officer for almost seven years,

has resigned to take over the post of director of finance for Lake

Forest.

Andrew has been responsible for all the city’s accounting

operations and in-house finance activities.

Francine Maldonado, who recently retired as Temple City director

of finance, will fill in during recruitment of candidates for the

position.

The California Municipal Treasurer’s Association announced May 5

that City Treasurer Laura Parisi had been recognized for her

principles of good government and leadership through high personal

standards of conduct, educational pursuits and the promotion and

active participation in the association.

Parisi was a recipient of the California Certified Municipal

Treasurer Award presented at a recent meeting of the association in

South Lake Tahoe.

A treasurer/investment officer must apply for recertification

after four years to maintain the title. Recertification is based on

the same criteria of education and participation.

-- Barbara Diamond

Tivoli Terrace manager wins award

The Laguna Beach Exchange Club gave the group’s Book of Golden

Deeds Award to Bobby Fader, manager of Tivoli Terrace. He was honored

on Thursday during a luncheon ceremony at the Hotel Laguna.

The club gives the award to recognize people who improve the

community. It recognized Fader for helping local groups organize

fundraisers and for his service on the board of directors of the

Laguna Beach Visitors’ Bureau.

Cartoonist to give graduation speech

Los Angeles Times editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez will be the

guest speaker at commencement ceremonies for the Laguna College of

Art and Design. An exhibition of artwork created by the 65 graduating

students will also be featured. Additional speakers at the ceremonies

will be Mayor Cheryl Kinsman, college President Alan Barkley, and

chairwoman of the college board Shirley Rush. Graduation will be held

at 3 p.m. Monday at the college, at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road. For

more information, call (949) 376-6000.

Festival of Art pieces on display

A preview of artwork slated to be displayed at this summer’s

Festival of Arts is open for viewing at City Hall. Artists whose work

is being exhibited include Matt Bond, Spencer Grant, Jennifer

Griffith, Mark Jacobucci, Carolyn Reynolds, Sheryl Seltzer, Tim

Schockley, Pat Sparkhul, Gregg Stone, and Tom Swimm. City Hall is

open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and is open until 7 p.m. on

Wednesday. The address is 505 Forest Ave.

Public invited to luncheon

City Manager Ken Frank will be the guest speaker at the Laguna

Beach Taxpayers Assn. luncheon and membership meeting, set for noon,

May 25 at Montage Resort and Spa.

The public is invited. The luncheon is $50. Valet parking for $5

or public parking are available.

For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call (949)

497-7053.

-- Barbara Diamond

Free compost offered to residents

Laguna Beach residents can scoop up free compost from 8 to 10

a.m., Saturday, near Santa’s Hut in the City Employees Parking Lot

across from the Festival of Arts Grounds.

Bring containers and tools. The compost is for residents only and

not for commercial use.

The compost is offered on a first-come-first-served basis by

Tierra Verde Industries, the green waste processor for Waste

Management of Orange County, the city’s trash hauler.

Last year, Laguna residents diverted about 4,200 tons of green

waste from landfills, 43 percent of all recyclable materials

collected in the city.

For more information, call (949) 497-0323.

-- Barbara Diamond