City buys Verizon parcel in canyon

The City Council agreed at the Nov. 3 meeting to buy the Verizon property that sits between the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Bark Park on Laguna Canyon Road.

City Manager Ken Frank said the city had been negotiating with Verizon and settled on a price of $650,000. He recommended an appropriation of $670,000 to cover the purchase and closing costs. Half of the money will come from the city’s Parking Fund, the other half from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Open space funds were not used because the parcel is far from pristine, Frank said. A portion of it is paved.

Frank said no specific use has been determined for the parcel, but it is suitable for a public purpose, including peripheral parking.

“It could be a permanent home for the homeless,” said resident Bonnie Hano.

Doug DuMaurier, who identifies himself as a longtime homeless resident of Laguna, said the city could even put the temporary shelter, being established at the ACT V parking lot, on the Verizon parcel.

“Save the money from moving,” DuMaurier said.

The ACT V shelter will have to be dismantled in mid-June to meet California Coastal Commission parking mandates for Festival Season.