Laguna Beach mayor says Coastal Commission staff found 'no substantial issue' in appeals of fire station and promenade

Mayor Alex Winogui of Laguna Beach said the California Coastal Commission's staff has recommended there is "no substantial issue" in two appeals that have been filed against the city's proposed fire station and the Promenade project, moves that, if affirmed by the commission, would effectively deny the appeals and allow the projects to proceed.

The mayor told host Tom Johnston on the Fair Game Laguna Beach program that city staff and an ad hoc committee anticipated commission concerns and addressed them before the appeals reached the commission. "I sent a letter to them, you know, 2 weeks ago, I believe, asking for this determination," Winogui said. "I think the facts aligned with, you know, what the coastal development permit requires, and so that was, you know, it seemed like a pretty clear decision."

Winogui said the Promenade appeal was filed by Village Laguna and that Mark Orgill and the city's ad hoc committee had worked with Coastal Commission staff to resolve likely issues. He said he expects Mark Orgill to represent the city at the commission hearing, which rotates locations monthly and offers a Zoom option. "My goal would be that they, you know, follow the evidence, follow their staff recommendation, and deny both appeals so we can move forward with both of these very important projects for our community at large," Winogui said.

The mayor noted he plans to join the Coastal Commission meeting by Zoom because the commission meets in different cities and travel can be lengthy. He described the commission's process as two-step: staff and commission determine whether an appeal raises a "substantial issue"; if not, the appeal is effectively denied and the underlying coastal development permit stands.

The interview did not include any formal ruling by the Coastal Commission members themselves; Winogui described staff recommendations and said city staff had previously concluded there was "no substantial issue." He also said city staff recommended moving forward with procurement and bids should the commission follow its staff recommendation.

The discussion in the interview was conversational and did not record any formal votes or new city council actions. Whether the Coastal Commission will adopt staff recommendations is a separate decision and was not decided during the radio interview.