Laguna Beach Design Review Board approves several home projects, sets conditions and continuances

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on Feb. 13 approved a slate of design review applications for single‑family homes, decks and landscape modifications across the city while placing two items on later agendas for additional staff work.

The board approved design and coastal permits for a new home at 999 Oriole Drive; an elevated deck extension at 31561 Eagle Rock Way with a requirement to maintain a ficus privacy screen; changes to a previously approved landscape plan at 1813 Temple Hills Drive that included limits on ficus tree heights; a major remodel at 890 Hillcrest Drive; and new construction at 309 Hawthorne Road. The board also approved a modest deck and window change at 970 Tijuana Street and a mid‑level deck expansion at 311 Viejo Street, the latter with a required hedge height increase. Two items were continued so staff and applicants could refine materials and findings: a continuance request for 2354 San Clemente Street was rescheduled to April 24, 2025, and the variance/parking request for 32002 Sunset Avenue was continued to March 13, 2025, with direction to staff to return with findings.

Why it matters: Laguna Beach’s design review hearings shape what gets built on tightly parceled, view‑sensitive lots across town. The board’s conditions — including specific requirements for privacy planting, tree heights and replacement should trees be removed — reflect a continuing effort to balance property‑owner development rights with neighbors’ concerns about view equity, privacy and neighborhood character.

Votes at a glance (motions, key conditions, and vote outcomes)

- Approval — Minutes (Consent calendar, Item 4.1) - Motion: Approve minutes. Vote: Coveney: Yes; Gibbs: Yes; Weill: Abstain; Chair Pro Tem: Yes; Chair Gannon: Yes. Outcome: approved (one abstention).

- Continuance — 2354 San Clemente Street (Item 5.5) - Motion: Continue to April 24, 2025 at the applicant’s request. Outcome: continued unanimously.

- Approval — 999 Oriole Drive (Item 5.1) - Motion: Adopt Resolution (Design Review 24‑13404, Coastal Development Permit 24‑1343 and Variance 24‑1345) to approve a new single‑family residence with 2‑car garage, deck, grading and landscaping; CEQA exemption claimed (Section…