Design Review Board approves retroactive landscape changes at 1712 Thurston Drive

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on May 8 approved a modification to a previously authorized landscape plan at 1712 Thurston Drive, resolving work that had been built without permits.

Staff presented the item as a code-enforcement cleanup: the built improvements included retaining walls, pathways, grading and new trees that were not part of the earlier approved plan. Daniel Latham, project planner for the city, told the board staff recommended approval to bring the site into compliance.

The board’s discussion focused on impacts to neighbors and whether the built work would have been allowed if presented in advance. Board member Mary Coveney said she found the changes “easily approvable,” noting the work had not produced privacy or view impacts and that no neighbor had filed a complaint with the city.

The board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 23-1020, approving Design Review 23-1020 for modifications to the approved landscape plan in the R-1 (low density) zone. The motion included a finding that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the applicable categorical exemption referenced in the staff report.

The approval regularizes the following elements described in the application and staff presentation: three palm trees and several fruit trees, replacement/adjustment of walkways, construction of battered retaining walls under 5 feet tall, and grading described in the package as less than 40 cubic yards. City staff noted the matter arose from a neighbor dispute that led to code-enforcement review; the approval was intended to bring the site into compliance rather than impose penalties.

The board gave no additional direction to staff beyond the conditions in the adopted resolution; no appeal was filed during the meeting.