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As part of our outreach process , we are simultaneously meeting with neighbors . Residents can stay informed about our progress via the website at nccproject . org .
Over the next few months , I respectfully ask for the community ’ s patience as we prepare our application , which will have all the details . Then , we will invite input . I welcome the conversation .
Rodrick Echols , Neighborhood Congregational Church Pastor and Sue Cross , NCC board chair
No Bang for the Buck Why would the city council take away the celebration of being American and watching fireworks ? The environment ? Cost ? Sad dogs ?
If the environment is concerning the city council , they could put solar panels on city buildings like other cities . All city cars could be electric . If Laguna Beach really aspires to advocate for the environment this would be more effective .
The drone show was poor . More importantly , the spirit of it was misguided . Fireworks are a visual and auditory reminder of the war that
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won our independence . The drone show instead advertised the city , the Olympic team and even the Main Beach lifeguard tower .
The holiday is about our independence . Fireworks are a oncea-year glory : light silhouetting the palm trees , a colorful glow cast over the water , and retaining the spirit of what our forefathers fought for . Francis Scott Key is rolling over in his grave on this sad day .
Interestingly the drone show is more expensive than the traditional show . So , is it about sad dogs ? Perhaps their owners could explain to them the benefits of being a dog in America . The dogs will forgive us . Gee whiz . Roderick Reed , Laguna Beach
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Response to Ketta Brown ’ s Guest Opinion
Having read Ketta Brown ’ s guest opinion in the Laguna Beach Independent last week regarding the proposed low-income housing project at the Neighborhood Congregational Church , I would like to highlight a few points she made .
Ketta claims that this project will
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go through “ the ‘ normal ’ design review process .” I believe this to be false . She forgot to acknowledge that this project is being pushed through under the guise of CA Senate Bill 4 , which bypasses local control on design , density , height or other community guidelines on projects built on church property . It also accelerates approval timing .
When she cautions , “ Be careful what you wish for ,” remember that any developer not operating under the SB4 protection would have to go through the normal Laguna Beach Design Review process and follow all zoning guidelines .
All developers , including Related California , are in this to make money – and that ’ s fine . That ’ s why they are in business . But they should not do so at the expense of the surrounding neighborhoods .
I am not aware of anyone in the surrounding neighborhoods objecting to housing on this site . The issue is mass and scale ; this project would include a parking level topped by three residential floors and 72 units in all , majority two or three bedroom . This equals 60 units per acre , a high
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density in any urban setting let alone the Laguna Village area . This is a massive structure towering over adjacent streets . Lot coverage of 84 % over the 1.2 acre site with minimum 5-10 foot setbacks .
The pastor of the church has indicated that the church is unwilling to scale back this proposal to make it more neighborhood compatible .
When she claims that this “ type of project may or may not impact future home values ”, remember that the neighboring homeowners all struggled to save the down payment , make the monthly mortgage and live the Laguna Beach dream like others in this community . While I admire the volunteer efforts of the Housing and Human Services Committee , I hope that they will consider the impact of this project on other residents when they themselves may not be impacted by views gone , parking , traffic , congestion and noise .
There has been zero feedback from the proponents short of “ full speed ahead ” on the massive scale and accelerated timing of the project
LETTERS , PAGE 14
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