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Board approves attached ADU exceeding height standard at 31282 Cienotus Drive
Summary
Design review resolution 242381 and coastal development permit 242382 were approved for an attached ADU at 31282 Cienotus Drive that exceeds the 25-foot ADU height standard but meets the 30-foot standard; board found the project consistent with neighborhood compatibility and parking requirements were addressed.
The Laguna Beach Design Review Board approved design review resolution 242381 and Coastal Development Permit 242382 on March 13 for a new attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 31282 Cienotus Drive. The ADU exceeds the 25-foot ADU height standard but complies with the 30-foot overall height standard, requiring design review.
Planner Daniel Latham told the board the project includes a third-level roof increase of roughly two feet, an elevated deck, grading and retaining walls. He said staff identified nearby four-story examples and noted the parcel is in a neighborhood where taller structures exist. "There are 4 other properties... that also have 4 stories," he said, and staff recommended approval.
The board heard from the owners, who described a two-year application process and expressed appreciation to staff. No members of the public provided comments opposing the project during the hearing. Board members raised and received confirmation about the proposed ADU parking location: staff pointed to a driveway space in the front yard setback as satisfying ADU parking requirements in this case.
Board members unanimously found the project met design review criteria for neighborhood compatibility, mass and scale, and privacy considerations. A motion to adopt the resolution and permit, citing CEQA exemption (section 15303), passed by roll call. Conditions related to grading, retaining walls and the parking space location will be included in the permit.
