Laguna Beach moves forward on permanent Promenade plan after months of outreach and public debate

Laguna Beach officials and residents discussed a refined concept to turn Lower Forest Avenue into a permanent pedestrian plaza at a joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting, with the city’s ad hoc committee and design consultant SWA asking for direction on materials, trees, lighting and programming before formal review.

The concept, presented by Sean O’Malley of SWA Group, preserves most existing trees, proposes a continuous pavement from building face to building face with a 15-foot clear zone for circulation, and introduces garden ‘‘pebble’’ areas, flexible performance locations and bollards at the curbline. The city’s staff presentation noted the promenade was originally created during the COVID-19 response and remains authorized now via Temporary Use Permits and a Coastal Development Permit through January 2027.

Why it matters: the promenade would permanently alter traffic, parking and street design in the heart of Laguna Beach’s downtown. Supporters say a well-designed plaza will increase year‑round local activity and help downtown retailers and restaurants; critics warned of lost parking, unknown construction costs and business interruptions for merchants during any reconstruction.

SWA’s concept emphasizes ‘‘simple, timeless and flexible’’ design elements and programming. ‘‘Designing a living room for I’d say 24,000 people is a challenge,’’ said Sean O’Malley, managing principal of SWA Group, during the presentation. He described four main elements: preserving and adding trees, a contiguous paving field, garden/pebble areas at each end, and flexible stages and common seating. The plan includes removable bollards at emergency access points and electrical ‘‘stub-out’’ power caps for performances. O’Malley said the project team met with the Orange County Fire Authority, the…