Neighbors press Laguna Beach board over Zelle Drive excavation, board approves project with limits

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board voted 4‑1 June 12 to approve a revised design for a new single‑family residence and related site work at 2840 Zelle Drive, but not before an extended hearing that centered on neighbor concerns about deep excavation and privacy.

At issue: The applicant sought approval for a new multi‑level home with attached garage, an upper‑level deck, retaining walls and an in‑ground spa. Neighbors said the project still required significant excavation — roughly 900–1,000 cubic yards by the participants’ estimates — into hard bedrock close to adjacent foundations. Residents and a consulting engineer warned of vibration, dust and potential structural damage without careful monitoring; they asked the board to require a smaller building program or additional site studies.

Why it matters: The property sits on a steep hillside with limited usable yard area; the design’s below‑grade garage and patio areas require rock removal near neighboring foundations. The scale of excavation and the nearby residences made this more than a routine design review; board members weighed geotechnical risk, neighborhood compatibility and the extent of outdoor living areas proposed on the west side of the lot.

Key points from the hearing - Neighbors’ objections: Multiple neighbors — including 2849…