City approvals for a new fire station and a downtown promenade in Laguna Beach have been appealed to the California Coastal Commission, Mayor Alex Wenagi said on the Fair Game Laguna radio program.

“We learned earlier this week that both the approval of the fire station and the approval of the promenade have both been appealed to the California Coastal Commission,” Mayor Wenagi said. He said city staff based the decisions on the relevant coastal development permit criteria and said he would be “very shocked if the Coastal Commission were to make a finding of substantial issue.”

Wenagi emphasized the public-safety need for the new fire station and said it is “disappointing” the approval was appealed. “It’s really important, especially from a public safety perspective, that we get that fire station built as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Orgel said he understood the basis of at least one appeal included concerns about access from Coast Highway and aesthetic issues. “From what I understand, it’s access off Coast Highway, Alex, and also some aesthetic issues,” Orgel said.

Next steps: Wenagi said the city will collaborate with Coastal Commission staff to address the appeals “as quickly as possible.” He indicated the city believes its findings comply with coastal-development criteria but declined to assert an outcome before staff review and the commission’s procedures play out.

City Manager David Kiff’s experience with Coastal Commission matters drew praise from officials during the discussion. Orgel said Kiff’s background in Newport Beach and familiarity with Coastal Commission processes provided additional confidence as the city prepares to defend its approvals.

Ending: Officials said they do not expect immediate changes to construction plans while the appeal is processed, and they encouraged residents to follow formal Coastal Commission notices and staff updates for definitive timelines and next steps.