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Council approves sidewalk‑cafe parking credits for Truly Pizza’s Laguna location
Summary
The council granted the applicant the maximum five‑space sidewalk‑cafe parking credit to allow outdoor dining at 320 N. Coast Highway, following a planning commission recommendation and public support from the applicant and Chamber allies.
The Laguna Beach City Council on June 24 approved a conditional use permit and coastal development permit to reduce required off‑street parking by up to five spaces as an incentive for a proposed sidewalk café for a new Truly Pizza restaurant at 320 North Coast Highway.
Planning staff recommended the credit because the site is close to downtown and pedestrian destinations, and because the expanded outdoor dining area is expected to attract patrons arriving by walking, bicycle or transit. The planning commission had recommended approval at its June 18 hearing.
Applicant Donna Baldwin and local supporters, including representatives of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and community members, told council they expect the new restaurant to add street‑level vibrancy and that Truly Pizza will run a commissary kitchen offsite for dough production. Baldwin said the Laguna restaurant’s front‑of‑house café would complement a nearby related operation and create about 25 outdoor seats.
Council members praised the applicant and staff for negotiating conditions to limit impacts and for making clear that the coastal permit process remains the applicable coastal oversight mechanism when required. The council approved the five‑space sidewalk cafe credit, finding that the expanded outdoor dining will encourage alternative transportation and support downtown pedestrian activity.
Staff advised that the design review and other project elements had already been granted by the planning commission earlier in the month; the council’s action on parking‑credit reduced the need for additional off‑street spaces and permitted the applicant to proceed with the sidewalk café under the conditions adopted by staff and the commission.
The council vote included standard coastal and operational conditions and did not change the commission’s previous approvals; staff will issue permits consistent with the approvals and conditions.
