6 lagunabeachindy . com MARCH 17 , 2023
All of our skepticism about the city purchasing the St . Catherine property was removed after taking a very informative tour of this site led by city employee Michael Litschi .
Our city government definitely made the right decision in the acquisition of this property for many reasons , including ready to use updated structures , variety of buildings with tremendous flexibility , many outdoor multiuse spaces , wonderful Spanish architecture and gorgeous ocean views .
A big thank you to our Laguna Beach City Council and city staff for having the vision to see the value of this property for our community and for making this happen . Jim and Dee Perry , Laguna Beach
I wanted to bring to the attention of your readers that the Laguna Beach City Council has passed an ordinance affecting the “ development of seven miles of Laguna beach ’ s coastal bluffs .” This ordinance “ reduces the setback from 25 feet from the bluff face to effectively ZERO ” with “ certain conditions applying .” I believe the erosion of the bluff tops needs to be seriously considered . I would like to also know what the “ conditions ” would be and to “ whom ” they might apply ? This ordinance was passed by a vote of 4 to 1 for approval by our Laguna Beach City Council . The only councilperson voting “ NO ” on this agenda item was councilman George Weiss .
I have been watching video of “ bluff top ” homes sliding down the hillsides from the Back Bay in Newport to San Clemente , all due to our most recent rains . I do not regularly follow Planning Department Meetings so I , as many Laguna residents , was totally unaware of this ordinance change being put to a vote . Was this ordinance change properly vetted ? More
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importantly , were impacted residents properly “ Noticed ” by the city ?
I believe that the approval of this ordinance should be stayed . Is there any data showing who will be affected ? Is there any data showing that the bluffs are geologically able to support development to the face of the bluff ? Who will lose their view when a neighbor or an outside developer builds to the bluff face ? I am certain that some “ Geologist ” somewhere confirmed that the bluffs in Back Bay , Newport are just fine . I have been watching homes in San Clemente slide down onto PCH for as long as I can remember . In view of what we have seen happening to properties built on bluffs that were allegedly sound , is this something that we should gamble with in Laguna ? I am curious as to why some kind of informational “ workshop ” or at least an opportunity for the community to have involvement in making this decision has not been offered . We citizens of Laguna Beach need to be assured that the council is working in the best interests of its residents and not making arbitrary decisions discounting community input and consultation . Claude Morgan , Laguna Beach
theIndyPoll
LAST WEEK ’ S QUESTION
Should council start enforcing its Decorum & Civility Policy and Bullying Resolution ? - Yes , 72 % ( 31 votes ) - No , 27.9 % ( 12 votes )
TOTAL VOTES - 43
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CITY HALL MEETINGS :
Tuesday , March 21 City Council Meeting at 5 p . m .
HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL
Bob Whalen Mayor bwhalen @ lagunabeachcity . net
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Sue Kempf Mayor skempf @ lagunabeachcity . net
SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS , 5 PM LOUIS WEIL : lweil @ lagunabeachcity . net KRISTINE THALMAN : kthalman @ lagunabeachcity . net DON SHERIDAN : dsheridan @ lagunabeachcity . net JESSICA GANNON : jgannon @ lagunabeachcity . net DEBORAH NEEV : dneev @ lagunabeachcity . net
Mark Orgill Council member morgill @ lagunabeachcity . net
Alex Rounaghi Council member arounaghi @ lagunabeachcity . net
PLANNING COMMISSION 1ST AND 3RD WEDNESDAYS , 6 PM STEVEN KELLENBERG , steve @ kellenbergstudio . com KEN SADLER : 616-0517 , ken . sadler @ cox . net JORG DUBIN : 497-2618 , jdubinart @ cox . net STEVE GOLDMAN : 203-554-2290 , steveg415 @ ymail . com SUSAN McLINTOCK WHITIN : 838-6317 , whitinsusan @ gmail . com
George Weiss Council member gweiss @ lagunabeachcity . net
Ann Marie McKay City Clerk amckay @ lagunabeachcity . net
Laura Parisi City Treasurer lparisi @ lagunabeachcity . net
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