Board approves attached ADU at 1640 Thurston Drive despite excess lot coverage

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board unanimously approved a coastal development permit and CEQA exemption for a new attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with excess building site coverage at 1640 Thurston Drive.

Staff described the project as a request for a coastal development permit because the attached ADU results in excess building site coverage; staff recommended approval and a CEQA exemption. The applicant's representative said the ADU is a single‑story attached unit located at the rear of the property, chosen to comply with setbacks and height limits.

Architect/representative Scott Schafer said the ADU setbacks are "well above" minimums — about 8.7 feet on the north side and nearly 11 feet on the south — and the project stays below the 25‑foot maximum height for an attached ADU. He said there was "nowhere any public opposition on this project." Board members who visited the site called the proposal compatible with the downhill slope, noted minimal grading and that the design "doesn't add to mass and scale." One member noted they would treat the matter as a coastal development permit rather than a design review control for ADUs.

Motion and vote: Board member moved to adopt Resolution 25‑1346 approving Coastal Development Permit 25‑1346 for a new attached ADU with excess building site coverage at 1640 Thurston Drive and finding the action exempt from CEQA; the motion passed 4‑0.

The board closed the item after members expressed support.

Provenance: Discussion begins with staff presentation identifying item 5.4 (coastal development permit for attached ADU) and ends with the motion to adopt Resolution 25‑1346 and the recorded 4‑0 vote.