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Residents and advocates clash over Neighborhood Congregational Church redevelopment at Laguna Beach council meeting
Summary
Several dozen speakers at the March 11 meeting debated the Neighborhood Congregational Church (NCC) redevelopment: supporters said it will supply desperately needed affordable housing, opponents raised concerns about scale, demolition of historic buildings, parking and fire safety.
More than a dozen residents addressed the City Council on March 11 about a proposed redevelopment of the Neighborhood Congregational Church site, which would replace the existing buildings with affordable housing and a new multipurpose building. The project prompted sharply divided public comment on heritage preservation, traffic and safety, and the need for workforce housing.
Why it matters: The NCC site was identified in Laguna Beach’s housing element as a potential affordable housing site. Proponents told the council the project will help retain local workers who can’t afford to live in town; opponents raised objections to demolition of historic structures and to the size,…
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