LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the Oct. 17 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council.

EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

The city recognized the 10th anniversary of Hagen Place, the 25-unit “affordable” apartment house for the disabled on the corner of Mermaid and Third streets.

Jim Loomis, Dwight Spiers, Pauline Walpin and AIDS Services Foundation founder Al Roberts represented the residents at the council meeting.

“I would like to acknowledge the city’s support from the very beginning — it provided the seed money,” Spiers said.

COUNCIL/STAFF CHAT

The weekend work apparently does not sit too well with some residents. An air quality management agency representative visited the site on Oct. 16, prompted, Burnham said, by a phone call, probably from someone who doesn’t like the Sunday work.

“Ninety-nine percent of the folks who live around there support the seven-day work week,” Burham said. “Some would even support [construction] 24 hours a day as was done in the first Bluebird slide.”

CONSENT CALENDAR

Approved without comment:

DESIGN REVIEW RULES 5-0

An interim urgency ordinance was extended 10 ½ months to allow minor modifications of approved design review plans to be processed by administrative review, not including additions of more than 25 square feet or grading in excess of 10 cubic yards. The original interim ordinance was only effective for 45 days. Prior to Sept. 4, 2007, it may be extended for one final year.

WHAT IT MEANS

The ordinance is intended to make small changes easier and quicker, and therefore less expensive for applicants. Neighbors are notified of proposed changes. Opposition requires a full Design Review Board hearing.

SIDEWALK APPROVED

City officials and a resident reached an agreement on the installation of a sidewalk at 220-240 Diamond Street. The property owner had successfully opposed the original proposal in design review, a decision appealed by the city.

The Council approved 5-0 a plan whereby the city would install a new sidewalk connecting with an existing sidewalk down the hill.

In a compromise, the owner agreed not to continue to oppose the project in return for the city:

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

A Riviera Drive property owner seeking privacy from his neighbor’s balconies went back to Plan A when the council voted 4-1 to deny his application to add one more melaleuca tree to the two in his backyard, instead of a planting a pine tree that could grow taller.

The neighbors had objected to the melaleuca tree, fearing it would obscure their white-water view, and appealed the tree plan approved by the Design Review Board.

Council and audience members were stunned when the property owner withdrew the application for the extra melaleuca tree after losing the appeal.

The property owner said he would revert to the original landscaping plan, which called for a 10-foot-tall dwarf pine tree.

CONTRACTS APPROVED

Frank said moving the depot to the Village Entrance was problematical. 4-1

TREE PRESERVATION STANDARD 4-1

The council voted to approve the addition of a condition to be added to landscape plans approved by the Design Review Board. The addition reads: “The property owner will be responsible for maintaining any tree on the landscape plan in a manner that will sustain the tree’s health and distinctive qualities.

“The approved tree(s) shall not be removed, destroyed or substantially altered without subsequent review (of a previous board approval) and approval by the approval authority. An arborist shall be consulted prior to any grading proposed within 15 feet of an approved tree(s) to determine the best procedures to maintain the health of the tree(s). The recommendations of the arborist shall be followed during the grading operations.”

A standard condition will be added to landscape plans approved by the Design Review Board.

Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman voted against the proposed addition.

ALIEN INVASION 3-2

The council instructed Frank to introduce a program to rid city-owned properties of highly invasive plants alien to Southern California and to prepare an educational flier to help private property owners recognize the plants and eliminate them.

Iseman proposed the program. Landscape architect Bob Borthwick said he jumped for joy when Frank called and asked for suggestions. Borthwick volunteered to prepare materials for review by the Environmental Committee.

Kinsman voted with Mayor Steven Dicterow against the proposed program.