Laguna Beach planning commission reviews Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape concept, presses staff to save mature trees

The Laguna Beach Planning Commission heard a concept review on March 18 for the Ocean Avenue and Beach Street Streetscape Improvements, a public-works project presented by Alpha Santos, project manager for the City of Laguna Beach Public Works and Utilities Department. Santos said the project aims to "establish a thriving pedestrian-forward environment, preserve as much parking as possible, promote a healthy long-term street canopy, and beautify the public right-of-way." The proposed work covers Ocean Avenue between South Coast Highway and Forest Avenue and Beach Street between Broadway and Ocean Avenue.

Commissioners and staff described three primary strategies: phased hardscape replacement to reduce trip-and-fall hazards, tree and tree-well improvements, and the addition of curb extensions or "bump-outs" for traffic calming and safer crossings. Santos said designs incorporate the council's direction to maintain two-way circulation on Lower Ocean while minimizing parking loss; staff narrowed bump-out sizes to avoid removing more than one parking space at several locations and to comply with California daylighting rules that restrict parking near crosswalks.

Why it matters: staff framed the project as a safety and ADA-compliance effort as much as an aesthetic one. Santos told the commission that uneven paving and small vertical "lips" are driving repaving work to reduce trip-and-fall lawsuits and make sidewalks universally accessible.

Residents pressed staff to prioritize tree preservation during public comment. Ruben Flores and other longtime residents urged the commission to avoid wholesale removal of mature ficus and other canopy trees, arguing the existing canopy gives Laguna Beach much of its character and provides shade. Flores said some replacement magnolias "have failed to thrive" and recommended a stronger focus on native species and irrigation. Multiple speakers cited parking pressures downtown and questioned whether the project would remove more spaces than necessary.

Arborist findings and debate: staff presented a third-party arborist report that categorized trees into three tiers based on visible health and structural condition; the report recommended additional testing and, based on that testing, recommended removal and replacement of seven trees along Ocean Avenue (five city-maintained, two private). The arborist, who spoke during the hearing, said the removal recommendations were based on "poor health and poor structure" and on a lack of feasible mitigation options that would materially improve a tree's structural integrity. Commissioners pushed back, asking whether grading adjustments, expanded tree wells, root pruning or revised construction methods could preserve some of the mature trees. Commissioner Kellenberg said he would "recommend that we do take a little bit more risk" to preserve mature trees' aesthetic and canopy value where staff can mitigate construction impacts.

Design details and trade-offs: commissioners questioned the proposed 12-foot wide sidewalk tie-ins at Beach and Broadway, flagging potential traffic backups where a two-lane approach narrows; staff said the width helps transition to bump-outs and meets ADA goals but agreed to re-examine the widths and the bulb-out scale. The landscape architect for SWA Group, Evan, explained tree-well options (tree grates for small caliper trees; decomposed-granite topping for larger trees) and recommended southern magnolias for the downtown palette while noting salt-tolerance and irrigation constraints.

What the commission asked staff to do: commissioners collectively urged staff to (1) explore alternatives and mitigation to avoid unnecessary tree removals, including larger tree wells or different construction sequencing; (2) seek opportunities to increase the net tree count and diversify the palette with more native, salt‑tolerant species where appropriate; (3) preserve character elements such as brick banding where that can be done without increasing trip hazards; and (4) re-check bulb-out sizes and parking impacts, particularly at the Beach/Broadway approach. Staff said it will return to the commission with refined plans, additional arborist analyses and the necessary environmental documentation and schedule information.

The commission did not take a final entitlements vote at this concept stage. Santos said the project team expects to return for project approval in summer 2026 and to bid construction for a late‑fall 2026 start and work through spring 2027.