Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Access Driveway topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Laguna Beach board approves new driveway and grading at 719 Saint Anne’s Drive with hedge-removal condition
Summary
The Design Review Board approved design review 25-0486 and coastal development permit 25-0504 for a new vehicular access and grading at 719 Saint Anne’s Drive, with a condition requiring removal of hedging that encroaches into the public right of way adjacent to the applicant’s property.
The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on April 10 approved design review 25-0486 and coastal development permit 25-0504 for a new vehicular access and grading at 719 Saint Anne’s Drive, finding the actions exempt from CEQA under Sections 15301 and 15303.
The project, presented by staff planner Jessica Mendoza and architect Todd Skindarian, will add a separate driveway off Browncroft Road to serve a proposed detached accessory dwelling unit; staff noted the ADU itself is exempt from design review. "We're committed to removing the portion of hedge that extends in front of the Nataglia property," architect Todd Skindarian told the board, and said the project team would work with the adjacent neighbor to remove additional hedge where feasible to widen the street.
Board members said the project meets applicable access and design findings and added a condition of approval requiring removal of hedge that encroaches into the public right of way adjacent to the applicant's property. Chair Tom Gibbs read the motion that approved the project and the CEQA exemptions, and the board voted unanimously in favor.
Why it matters: The approval clears the way for a second access for the property’s ADU and addresses a neighborhood safety concern the board said was caused by hedge overgrowth constricting the travel lane on Browncroft Road.
Board discussion and public input: Mendoza told the board staff received one item of public correspondence (a letter from Barbara Hawthorne). Neighbor Steven Crawford, who lives at 729 Saint Anne’s Drive and corners the Nataglia property, told the board he had no objection and asked to see the ADU design. Skindarian said the applicant would share plans with the Crawford family.
During deliberations board members praised the applicant’s outreach to neighbors and supported the staff recommendation. The formal condition placed on approval calls for removal of the portion of hedge that is within the public right of way adjacent to the applicant’s property to the extent it encroaches.
Votes at the meeting: The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Board member Bauta, Board member Coveney, Board member Weil, Chair Pro Tem Jessica Gannon and Chair Tom Gibbs; the motion passed unanimously.
The board’s written approvals reference design review 25-0486 and coastal development permit 25-0504; the project will proceed subject to the standard building-permit process and the hedge-removal condition.
