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Planning commission recommends council approve merger of three South Laguna lots for single‑family residence
Summary
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on May 6 recommended that the City Council approve a tentative parcel map and coastal development permit to merge three parcels at 2500 Glenary Street and two adjacent lots into a single legal lot to allow construction of a single‑family home. Staff said required findings can be met and recommended a CEQA Class 3 exemption.
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on May 6 voted to recommend the City Council approve a tentative parcel map (2026‑0793) and a coastal development permit (2026‑0802) to merge three parcels in South Laguna for construction of a new single‑family residence.
Staff presented the application and told commissioners the design review board previously approved the proposed house and placed Condition 22 requiring the applicant to merge the three lots prior to issuance of a building or grading permit. "Staff believes that all required findings can be met," staff said, and recommended the commission forward the entitlements and find the action exempt from CEQA under the Class 3 categorical exemption for new construction.
Applicant Edwin Kissell, who represented property owners Mark and Sue Winter, said the owners have been involved with the lots for decades and that they purchased adjacent parcels after the 1993 wildfire. Kissell said the merger follows city direction and is needed because the proposed structure crosses shared lot lines: "In order to obtain the building permit, we seek your approval or your recommendation for city council approval to merge the three lots," he said.
Commissioners questioned prior permitting and neighborhood compatibility; staff cited the design review board's findings on compatibility and a peer‑reviewed hydrology report to address concerns about a mapped watercourse on the site. Commissioners noted mature trees near the watercourse and that the DRB had analyzed tree impacts as part of its prior review.
After deliberation commissioners moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑0793 as amended by staff to recommend City Council approval of tentative parcel map 2026‑0793 and coastal development permit 2026‑0802 and to find the project categorically exempt from CEQA (Guidelines §15303). The motion passed unanimously.
The item now moves to the City Council for final action; the commission's recommendation and the staff report will be included in the council packet. If the council approves, a separate final map application will be submitted later under state subdivision law to record the consolidated lot.
