Cottages get another reprieve

Three cottages slated for demolition two years ago dodged destruction again Tuesday.

The City Council voted 4-0 to delay for a month the contract to dismantle the cottages that were moved from Third Street to Big Bend, a last-ditch effort to save them. The delay allows time for the Coastal Greenbelt Authority to discuss possible acquisition of the one or more of the cottages for storage and office space at Willow Trail.

“Ideally [the cottages] would be used for housing, but maybe the Laguna Greenbelt Authority could take them,” said former Mayor Ann Christoph.

Preservation of the cottage would serve as a reminder of the city’s history, she said.

Historical or not, Councilman Kelly Boyd said he didn’t want to see them intruding into the open space.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman, who asked to have the demolition delayed, retorted that no one plans to build a residential community in the park.

Iseman said the buildings are no worse for wear after 18 months at Big Bend.

“They have been inspected, and there is no change in their condition,” Iseman said.

But they can’t stay at Big Bend forever. It is in the flood plain.

City Manager Ken Frank said he has been in contact with county officials, and it is his understanding that the county parks division does not have the money to move and rehabilitate the cottages and it already has a backlog of projects.

The city paid $108,000 to move four cottages to Big Bend when the site for the community/senior center was cleared. The relocation afforded the public the time to submit plans and get approvals to relocate the structures to private property.

“We had 75 inquiries but no firm offer to relocate a cottage to private property in Laguna Beach,” Community Services Director Susan Cannan said.

In fact, there was only one taker.

“I didn’t vote to relocate the cottages, but I called everyone on the list and I got a live one who actually moved one of the cottages to Fullerton,” Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman said. “I would love for someone to say they want all of them, and I am willing to wait for 30 days.”

With the 18-month temporary use permit to store the cottages at Big Bend due to expire Tuesday, staff recommended the demolition of the cottages and clearing up the debris, at a cost of $15,750.

Windows, wood, fixtures, metals and other materials in reusable or recyclable condition would be saved, with the rest to be disposed. The contractor estimated that at least 50% of the materials could be reused or recycled, according to Cannan’s report to the council.

The council extended the permit for 30 days.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson was absent from the meeting due to illness.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or [email protected].