State takes charge of second units

New state legislation forbids cities to require a conditional use

permit for second residential units and eliminates the age limits on

what used to be called “granny flats.”

“I like what the state did, because the goal is affordable

housing, which this is, and was misunderstood by a lot of people,”

said Planning Commissioner Norman Grossman. “By taking it out of the

hands of a discretionary body and having just a set of rules lessens

the politicking, the pressure from neighbors who misunderstand the

effect on their property rights.”

Revisions to the city ordinance, recommended on a 3-2 vote of the

commission to make it comply with the state ordinance, will be

reviewed by the City Council on Tuesday. It is scheduled to be heard

last.

“The state has basically eliminated single-family residential

zoning in the state with their proposal,” said City Manager Kenneth

Frank, long an opponent of state usurpation of city-generated revenue

or prerogatives.

“We don’t have any choice but to approve second residential units

in single-family areas,” he said. “So the concept of single-family

neighborhoods will go by the wayside.

“That’s the state for you. They don’t really care, I don’t think,

what people at the local level want,” he added. “[The state] wants

more housing and they are going to do it regardless of zoning.”

Grossman and Commissioner Anne Johnson voted against the Planning

Commission’s recommendation because it proposes that second units be

allowed in single-family zones only on lots of 9,000 or more square

feet. They wanted the units to be allowed on lots as small as 7,000

square feet. City staff also favored the 7,000 square-foot minimum,

which was already established in the local ordinance for units built

for senior occupants.

“Seven thousand square feet is bigger than most of the lots in

Laguna Beach,” Commissioner Johnson said.

The second units will increase density, Grossman said.

“But that is the intent,” he said. “It is the only way to make

housing more affordable.”

Construction is limited to 640 square feet

The amended state law will go into effect July 1.

Two of the new state provisions are significant for the city and

its coastal zone, said John Montgomery, assistant director of the

city Community Development Department.

One significant provision requires local governments that have

second residential unit ordinances to consider applications

“ministerially without discretionary review or hearing.”

The second provision of importance to the city reads that “nothing

shall be construed to supersede or in any way alter or lessen the

effect or application of the California Coastal Act ... except that

the local government shall not be required to hold public hearings

for coastal development permit applications for second units.”

A minor change recommended for approval by the staff clarifies

that design review cannot be construed as a “use” issue.

The state ordinance also specifies that second units need only one

parking space unless a case can be made that additional spaces are

directly connected to the use of a second unit and are consistent

with existing neighborhood standards.

-- Barbara Diamond

Taxpayers group to

honor Alstot

The Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn. will honor outgoing President

Gary Alstot at a luncheon, set for noon April 23 at the Montage

Resort and Spa.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Wilson will be the

guest speaker.

Luncheon committee members Martha Lydick, Bobbi Cox and Bill

McGeehee chose the site for the luncheon. The event will also include

a general membership meeting. Membership is $10 a year.

“We selected this exceptional venue specifically to thank Gary

Alstot for all of his hard work on behalf of the Taxpayers,” said

Martha Lydick, incoming president of the group.

“Come and see this tax-generating resort and park with a

magnificent view of the ocean for all to enjoy,” Lydick said.

Valet parking for $5 or metered self-parking is available. The

luncheon is $25 per person. Mail reservations and checks to LBTA,

P.O. Box 404, Laguna Beach, CA 92652.

For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 497-7053.

-- Barbara Diamond

LOCA names new board members and officers

Laguna Outreach Community Arts held its 10th annual members

meeting Monday at the Wells Fargo Community Room.

During the event, which featured live music, a mini fund-raiser

and exhibits of the many projects LOCA produces, the organization

selected Vicki Sommer as its new president.

Sue Linder will serve as vice president, and Linda Dietrich as its

secretary/treasurer. Other members of the board elected were: Matt

Greville, Sharbie Higuchi, Julita Jones, Bill Levin, Pat

Whiteside-Phillips and Andrea Wilde who join incumbents Anne Morris

and Laury Phillips.

Terry Anne Barman of the Even Start Program at the Boys and Girls

Club gave an address to the 70-plus members on the work LOCA has done

with its pilot program this winter with non-English speaking

preschoolers.

LOCA is a nonprofit art education organization that brings art

workshops and other hands-on experiences to schools, shelters and

other venues since its founding in 1993.

For information about LOCA, call Warren Cook (949) 388-6131.

Conservancy hosts meeting about Laguna Creek

The Laguna Canyon Conservancy will sponsor a town hall meeting at

7:30 p.m. April 21 at the Laguna Beach City Council Chambers, 550

Forest Ave.

The topic is “Beautify Laguna Creek.” The meeting will be chaired

by Laguna Greenbelt board member Harry Huggins.

Experts on the panel will include landscape architect Bob

Borthwick of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Beautification

Council, Melissa O’Neal of the Laguna Beach Waste Advisory Board and

Olivia Batchelder of Laguna Canyon Property Owners Assn. Comments and

ideas from the public will be welcomed. The event is free to all.

The major goal of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy is to save the

canyon, which has included the restoration of Laguna Creek. Because

of flood control among other considerations, this is considered

impractical. The goal of the meeting is to raise the issue of the

Laguna Creek, inform the public about its condition, as well as

possible remedies and discussion of methods used elsewhere.

The Laguna Canyon Conservancy holds monthly dinner meetings,

typically the first Monday of the month, at Tivoli Terrace at the

Festival of the Arts grounds with speakers exploring environmental

issues. The conservancy is a nonprofit organization. To become a

member and receive information on upcoming events, send the annual

dues of $15 per person to P.O. 1383, Laguna Beach, CA 92652.

Surfrider Foundation hosts meeting on pollution

The Laguna Beach Chapter of Surfrider Foundation will hold a

meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Wells Fargo Bank, 220 Ocean Ave. Tim

Flanagan, district manager for Waste Management Inc., will speak on

waste recycling and consumer choices we can make that will result in

less trash and less pollution.

For information, call Rick Wilson, 492-8170.

Beach cleanup day set for April 19

Cleanup day is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon April 19.

Participants are asked to meet at Main Beach for cleanup

assignments and all-day free parking certificates.

Information: Roger von Butow, (949) 497-4816, or Rick Wilson,

(949) 492-8170.

Annual Playhouse golf tournament set

The Laguna Playhouse will hold its third annual golf tournament on

April 28 at the Tijeras Golf Course in Rancho Santa Margarita.

The events will begin at 1 p.m. with best ball and longest drive

contests. There will be giveaways and an awards dinner.

Players may register for the event for $175 per golfer or as an

event sponsor with packages from the $300 Bronze Sponsorship to the

$3,000 Premier Sponsorship, which includes green fees and awards

dinners for four players, event signage and promotion in both Main

Stage and Youth Theatre playbills throughout the 2003-04 season.

Interested golfers should call Duff McEvers of the Laguna

Playhouse at (949) 362-7515 or [email protected].

The event is sponsored by the Playhouse Parent’s Assn. In the

past, it has generated more than $10,000 in funding.