DRB approves revised design for 505 Bluemont Street with conditions after neighbors raise view, privacy concerns

After extensive public comment and revisions, the Laguna Beach Design Review Board approved a revised plan for 505 Bluemont Street, allowing demolition of an existing single‑family dwelling and construction of a new home with conditions intended to reduce impacts on adjacent historic and view‑sensitive properties.

Background and context: the project was previously before the board twice (October 10, 2024, and January 23, 2025) and returned for a third hearing so the current board could review changes made in response to earlier direction. Staff noted that earlier concerns included articulation, view equity, privacy, neighborhood compatibility, mass and scale, and decorative pavers in the public right of way; the revised submission showed reductions in plate heights, deck size and changes to materials and site layout.

Key revisions described by the applicant team included reducing street‑level living area by roughly 197 square feet, pulling the south side of the house in 5 feet 6 inches, the north side in 1 foot 6 inches, cutting a rear deck from 720 square feet to 308 square feet,…