Planning commission approves Truly Pizza at 320 N. Coast Highway with pergola design condition and sidewalk-cafe parking credits recommended

The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on June 18 adopted a resolution approving conditional use permit 25-0964, design review 25-0963 and coastal development permit 25-0965 for Truly Pizza at 320 North Coast Highway, and recommended that City Council approve related CUP 25-1046 and CDP 25-1047 that would allow five sidewalk-cafe parking credits.

Staff presented the proposal to convert the historically listed 2-story bungalow site to a restaurant with expanded outdoor dining. The applicant requested a modification of previously approved hours (from 7 a.m.–6 p.m. to 11 a.m.–9 p.m.), two freestanding wood pergolas in a cedar finish (each about 9.5 feet tall and set roughly 8.5 feet from the building), and creation of expanded outdoor seating. Staff told the commission the project meets C-1 development standards and design criteria and recommended the five-sidewalk cafe parking credits because of the site’s proximity to downtown, Main Beach and Heisler Park and expected pedestrian mode share.

Heritage Committee members had recommended narrowing the right-side pergola to improve visibility of the main structure; the applicant explained the design intent for an asymmetrical, lemon-tree-wrapped trellis and showed examples from their Dana Point location and Mediterranean inspirations. Commissioners and staff discussed deliveries, ADA access and landscape details; staff said the landscape plan is not required as part of design review here because no new building footprints or major vertical additions are proposed, but the commission requested that final paving and planting details be provided to staff. Commissioners also asked the applicant to minimize delivery impacts on the alley and to coordinate vendors to avoid blocking Cedar Way during peak neighborhood hours.

Planning manager Anthony Viera proposed, and the commission adopted, an additional condition that the pergola structures be built to the outside dimensions of the project plans stamped by the city and include the applicant’s intertwining lemon-tree design as presented at the hearing; vegetation wrapping the structures (artificial or live) may extend beyond the pergola footprint so long as it is affixed directly to the pergolas. The applicant said the supporting posts will be maple, the pergola finish will be cedar, and that most plantings will be live (with a small percentage of artificial elements used atop the pergolas for the lemon display); the applicant also said they will commission an art piece for the city’s Art in Public Places requirements and use an off-site commissary (the former Tiamo) for dough and other prep.

Public comment included several residents and owners who said they support rapid completion of the project — many told the commission the site has seen multiple unsuccessful tenants and they welcomed Truly’s concept. Commissioners commended the applicant’s design intent and the plan to concentrate seating outdoors while preserving the historic house appearance. A motion approving the staff resolutions, adding the revised pergola condition described by staff, and recommending city council approval of the sidewalk café credits passed unanimously. The commission reminded the applicant of the city’s 14‑day appeal period to council for planning actions.