Architect David Parker proposes reduced elevated deck and landscaping to address neighbor concerns

In a pivotal Design Review Board meeting held on May 23, 2025, in Laguna Beach, the proposed modifications to a residential project sparked significant debate among board members and local residents. The applicant, David Parker, presented a revised plan that reduced the size of an elevated deck from 733 to 598 square feet, addressing previous concerns about neighborhood compatibility and privacy.

The modifications included moving the western railing wall to enhance privacy and adding a hedge of pitosporum silversheen along the north property line for screening. However, despite these adjustments, several neighbors voiced strong objections, citing ongoing worries about privacy intrusion and view equity, particularly concerning the elevated deck's potential impact on their homes.

Jim Burns, a neighbor directly affected by the project, expressed dissatisfaction with the changes, arguing that the deck still posed significant privacy issues, especially with direct sightlines into his master bedroom. Other residents echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the deck's size and the proposed swimming pool could lead to increased noise and activity, undermining their quality of life.

The board members engaged in a thorough discussion, weighing the applicant's rights to develop their property against the neighbors' rights to maintain their privacy. While some members supported the project, suggesting that the modifications were sufficient, others called for a more substantial reduction in the deck's size and additional landscaping measures to ensure privacy.

Ultimately, the board decided to continue the discussion, allowing the applicant until June 4 to submit revised plans, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for July 24. The board emphasized the need for a comprehensive landscaping plan and potential adjustments to the deck's dimensions to address the community's concerns adequately. This decision reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing development with the preservation of neighborhood character and resident privacy in Laguna Beach.