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Laguna Beach Planning Commission OKs expanded HIP District banner program
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a three-year temporary use permit and coastal development permit allowing 35 promotional banners along South Coast Highway in the Historic Interesting Place (HIP) District, replacing and increasing the prior banner program that began during the COVID-era outdoor dining program.
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission voted unanimously April 2 to approve a temporary use permit (TUP 25-0352) and coastal development permit (CDP 25-0353) to install 35 promotional banners on light poles along South Coast Highway between Daddy Street and Diamond Street.
City senior administrative analyst Louie Lacasello presented the application on behalf of Community Development, saying the city seeks to install banners to promote the Historic Interesting Place (HIP) District and that staff found the project consistent with the General Plan and categorically exempt under CEQA (citing CEQA Guidelines sections 15304 and 15301). "The city is requesting approval to install 35 banners…" Lacasello said during the presentation.
The banners, designed by Bill Atkins, measure 2 feet wide by 10 feet tall and are intended to be mounted to existing street light poles. Lacasello told commissioners staff believes the project meets the findings for approval and recommended the commission adopt a resolution approving both entitlements and finding the project exempt from CEQA.
Joe Hanauer, representing HIP District businesses, told the commission the current banners were initially 2-by-6 feet, then replaced by 2-by-10-foot banners because the original size was too small. "The original ones were the 2 by 6. They ended up being too small. They ended up being replaced by what's there now, which is 2 by 10," Hanauer said, and explained the increase in banner count reflected a formal extension of the district to Diamond Street.
Commissioners asked for clarifications on the TUP duration and banner sizes. Lacasello confirmed the permit duration is three years and said staff’s report referenced the original 2-by-6 size for the first approval but that the current installed banners are 2-by-10. Commissioners also asked whether any merchants opposed the program; staff said no written opposition was received.
Commissioner Trisha Goldman moved to adopt the resolution approving TUP 25-0352 and CDP 25-0353 and finding the action exempt from CEQA; the motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
The commission’s approval authorizes the city to install the banners on the specified corridor for three years and records the city’s CEQA finding and coastal permit approval. Implementation details, including exact mounting and maintenance, were described in staff conditions and will be handled by Community Development and public works.
Votes at a glance: The motion to approve the temporary use permit and coastal development permit passed unanimously; all five commissioners voting (Goldman, Whiting, Dubin, Kellenberg, Sadler) answered yes on the roll call.
