Design Review Board approves new driveway and grading at 719 Saint Anne’s Drive with hedge-removal condition

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on April 10 approved a design review application and coastal development permit for a new vehicular access and associated grading at 719 Saint Anne’s Drive, including a separate driveway to serve a proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Staff presented the item on an expedited basis and recommended adoption of Resolution 25-0486 (design review) and CDP 25-0504, with CEQA exemptions cited for the detached ADU.

Jessica Mendoza, the city planner who presented the staff report, said the site is zoned R-2 and the ADU itself is exempt from design review. The proposal calls for a new separate access off Browncroft Road, minor retaining walls under five feet, and grading for the driveway approach. Staff reported one written public correspondence and recommended approval with conditions.

Architect Todd Skindarian told the board the project team will work with an adjacent neighbor to remove a portion of a hedge that currently narrows the street; he said the applicant will remove the portion of the hedge on the applicant’s frontage that encroaches into the public right of way and will attempt to coordinate additional trimming with the neighbor at 740 Browncroft.

Board members said outreach to neighbors and the applicant’s willingness to trim the hedge improves safety by widening the effective travel lane. The board approved the project with a condition requiring removal of the hedge to the extent it encroaches into the public right of way adjacent to the applicant’s property. The board adopted Resolution 25-0486 and CDP 25-0504 and found the action exempt from CEQA (statutory exemptions cited in staff materials).

Vote: The motion to approve carried by roll call; all members present voted yes.