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Laguna Beach board approves renovation of historic Thalia Street duplex with tree-height condition
Summary
The board approved design review and coastal permits for 154 Thalia Street, a duplex on the city historic register, with conditions including a 9‑foot tree‑height limit and recorded revocable encroachment agreement; staff found the project CEQA‑exempt.
The Laguna Beach Design Review Board voted Dec. 11 to approve a package of permits allowing additions and remodels to a duplex listed on the city’s historic register at 154 Thalia Street.
Staff told the board the project proposes upper and lower level additions, a garage addition, an enlarged elevated deck and landscaping, and that the design meets secretary of interior standards and the heritage committee’s recommendations. Staff recommended adoption of resolutions approving design review 25‑1662, coastal development permit 25‑1663 and a revocable encroachment permit 25‑1664 and finding the action categorically exempt under CEQA (15301 and 15303).
Architect Lance Polster described the structure as "an important historic resource for Laguna," and said the design team had worked through heritage‑committee recommendations and staff review. A descendant of a former owner spoke in favor of the project while requesting attention to landscaping and shrub heights for sight lines and fire safety.
Board members noted the project’s compliance with the historic‑incentive rules (parking flexibility and setback allowances) and asked staff to add a condition addressing a corner tree that neighbors had cited. The board added a condition limiting that tree to about 9 feet, subject to arborist review and the city’s standard revocable encroachment permit language for right‑of‑way improvements.
The motion to adopt the resolutions and the specified condition passed at the hearing. Staff will record the encroachment agreement and incorporate the arborist condition into the permit documents before final sign‑off.
What’s next: The applicant must record the revocable encroachment agreement and comply with the tree‑height and arborist conditions before permits are finalized.
