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Board approves Skyline Drive deck and spa after shrinking and privacy modifications
Summary
Design review for a deck, spa and trellis at 1211 Skyline Drive was approved after the board and applicant negotiated changes: the deck was squared off and reduced, the applicant agreed to expand a privacy wall and improve the trellis/louver arrangement, and lighting and noise conditions were noted in the resolution.
The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on June 12 approved design review 25-0746 for a deck addition, trellis and a portable spa at 1211 Skyline Drive, after the applicant agreed to plan changes intended to address neighbor concerns about privacy and noise.
Board and staff summary: staff's report noted the neighbor at 1217 Skyline submitted correspondence raising privacy and noise concerns. Staff added a condition requiring the spa and equipment to comply with the city's noise ordinance. The applicant shortened and reconfigured the deck and proposed a solid privacy screen; the applicant also offered to remove a chain-link fence shown on the survey.
Key negotiated changes: during deliberations the board and applicant worked through a redline plan that squarified and reduced the deck footprint from the originally staked geometry, moved the trellis and privacy elements to better screen the neighbor's master bedroom window, and extended a solid privacy wall aligned with the stair rail behind the spa. The applicant agreed to set the privacy screen to match the top of the trellis (about 8 feet) and to confirm the spa equipment meets the city's noise rules. The board also asked the applicant to coordinate fence removal on the property line with the neighbor.
Public comment: two neighbors from 1217 Skyline said the original deck geometry placed active outdoor living directly adjacent to their master bedroom and asked the board to require the deck be pushed back to the rear face of the house. The applicant said the deck location preserves usable outdoor space adjacent to the living area and that moving use below the house would be less practical. The applicant noted the portable spa is self-contained and offered a revised privacy screen and trellis design.
Vote: The board approved the resolution with the redline plan and privacy-screen condition on a roll call vote: Board member Bauta — Yes; Board member Coveney — Yes; Board member Weil — Yes; Chair Pro Tem Gannon — Yes; Chair Gibbs — No. Outcome: approved.
Next steps: staff will update the resolution to reflect final square footage adjustments and document the redline as an exhibit; the building department will evaluate any code-required guards, structural and noise compliance at permit review.
Ending: The approval included conditions designed to balance outdoor living for the applicant with privacy and noise protections for the immediate neighbors.
