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Laguna Hills council delays mobility-element amendment after residents raise traffic and safety concerns
Summary
The City Council continued a proposed minor general plan amendment (RZNE-0013-2024) that would reclassify segments of Paseo De Valencia and Cabot Road to conform with the county arterial plan and make the city eligible for up to $5 million in Complete Streets funding, after sustained public comment raising traffic, emergency-access and school drop-off concerns.
Mayor Sweeney and City staff opened a public hearing June 24 on a minor amendment to Laguna Hills’ Mobility Element (RZNE-0013-2024) that would reclassify portions of Paseo De Valencia and Cabot Road to align with the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways and allow the city to pursue up to $5,000,000 in county-administered Complete Streets funding.
Community Development Director Jen Lowe told the council the change is administrative — a map reclassification required by the county — and that the amendment by itself does not propose immediate construction. She said adopting the amendment would make the city eligible for federal and county grant programs administered through OCTA, and staff recommended the council find the amendment CEQA-exempt under section 15061(b)(3) and continue public outreach with conceptual designs and workshops.
Residents speaking during the public hearing urged the council to slow down. “Trucking that street down to two lanes would be devastating to traffic in the area,” said Lisonbee Maria, a resident, who cited queuing near Valencia Elementary School and the planned 40-pump gas station near El Paseo as reasons to reconsider the reclassification. Several other speakers — including a professional engineer who lives on Paseo De Valencia — raised concerns about emergency access, merging lanes for neighborhood exits, school drop-off logistics, and the clarity and timing of public notices.
Staff told the council a new conceptual drawing would be posted to a project web page on or about June 30 and another public workshop was likely in early to mid-July. Assistant City Engineer Joe Ames said some alternatives under consideration could preserve two travel lanes while accommodating required bike facilities; staff emphasized the amendment is intended to align Laguna Hills with the county plan, which is a condition of eligibility for the identified grant funds.
After extensive public comment and questions about notification and design detail, Mayor Sweeney moved to continue the item to a date certain. The council voted unanimously to continue the public hearing and decision on the amendment to the Sept. 9, 2025 City Council meeting.
What happens next: staff will post updated conceptual designs on the city’s webpage, collect e-mail sign-ups for project-specific notices, hold a public workshop in July, and return the item to council on Sept. 9 for further deliberation or action.
