Board sets tree-height limits, approves landscaping plan at 276 Cajon Drive after neighbor dispute

Laguna Beach—s Design Review Board on March 13 approved a landscaping plan for 276 Cajon Drive with conditions intended to balance privacy for the property owner and view equity for an uphill neighbor.

Staff presented the landscaping proposal and noted a record-of-view filing and subsequent back-and-forth between neighbors. The applicant and their representative described modifications they were willing to make, including lowering a lemon tree to 9 feet and trimming other plants. An uphill neighbor, who said the trees had been maintained at a lower level for many years, urged the board to preserve the view lines established by the neighbor—s earlier view-preservation record. The uphill neighbor said the trees had been repeatedly trimmed historically, and expressed concerns that tall, fast-growing trees would again block primary views.

Board members discussed privacy, view equity and enforceability and agreed on a compromise: (1) trees along the shared property line between 276 and 280 Cajon shall not exceed the height of the existing upper-deck railing at 280 Cajon as that railing existed on March 13, 2025 (staff to confirm and record the elevation on the final landscape plan), and (2) the lemon tree affecting the lower unit will be limited to 9 feet above grade. The board adopted the associated resolution approving the landscaping plan and found the action exempt from CEQA.