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Laguna Beach Planning Commission finds two canyon properties consistent with general plan to preserve artist workspaces
Summary
The Planning Commission voted unanimously (one commissioner recused) to adopt a resolution finding the proposed purchase of 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road consistent with the city’s general plan and exempt from CEQA, clearing an early step toward acquiring the properties for artist workspace and future community land trust ownership.
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on Jan. 15 adopted a resolution finding the city’s proposed purchase of two properties at 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road consistent with the City of Laguna Beach General Plan and exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The vote was 4–0 with Commissioner Dubin recused; the commission’s action simply determined general-plan consistency for the acquisition and did not authorize the purchase itself.
The staff presentation, led by Jennifer Savage of the city manager’s office, told commissioners the purpose of acquiring the two parcels is to preserve artists’ workspaces and to potentially modify uses in the future to provide artist live/work units. Savage said the properties currently carry zoning designations of M-1A (industrial) and RH (residential hillside) and that at least one caretaker unit at 2307 Laguna Canyon Road had an existing permit but that current occupants are not automatically grandfathered into additional live uses without the appropriate process.
Commissioners asked procedural questions: whether existing occupants are grandfathered (Savage: “No, they are not. There is 1 caretaker’s unit that was permitted at 2307 Laguna Canyon Road.”), whether a conditional use permit would be required for artist live/work units (staff: yes), and whether title would be held by the city (staff: the city expects to partner with a third‑party nonprofit to hold the properties until a Laguna Beach community land trust can take ownership).
Savage said the City Council previously authorized purchase-and-sale agreements; outreach to form the community land trust is scheduled to begin in late February. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the commission’s role that night was limited to the single legal determination of general plan consistency and CEQA exemption.
Commissioner comments were supportive. After a motion to adopt the resolution finding the acquisitions consistent with the general plan and exempt from CEQA, the commission conducted a roll call: Commissioner Goldman — yes; Commissioner Whiting — yes; Commissioner Dubin — absent/recused; Chair Pro Tem Kellenberg — yes; Chair Sadler — yes. The motion passed with the four affirmative votes.
Next steps noted by staff include continuing contract and closing processes and community outreach tied to the newly forming Laguna Beach Community Land Trust.
