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Planning commission finds FY2026-27 CIP projects consistent with general plan; approves lifeguard tower determination
Summary
Laguna Beach Planning Commission on April 15 found the city’s FY2026-27 Capital Improvement Program projects consistent with the General Plan and exempt from CEQA, and separately approved a limited determination on enclosed lifeguard tower installations while two commissioners recused.
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on April 15 voted to find the City’s proposed FY2026-27 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects consistent with the General Plan and exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, forwarding the determination to City Council via Resolution 2026-0713.
Pierre Sawaya, the city’s Capital Program Manager, presented the CIP overview, listing near-term construction and design priorities (storm drain improvements on Agate and Bolsa Streets, enclosed lifeguard tower installations, Jaharis Park renovations, parking-lot rehabilitations including Aliso Beach and Mermaid lots, and utility projects such as Victoria II and Bluebird lift station replacements). Sawaya said the CIP’s principal funding sources include Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), property tax, gas tax, Measure M, parking revenues and sewer rates.
Because an enclosed lifeguard tower project sits within 500 feet of the residences of Chair Kellenberg and Chair Pro Tem Goldman, those two recused from the lifeguard-tower discussion and vote. The remaining commissioners took up only the lifeguard-tower question first and voted to find the enclosed lifeguard tower installations consistent with the General Plan and exempt from CEQA. Staff said the replacement program is multi-year, with an anticipated two-to-four towers beginning construction per year while staff and marine safety develop a prioritized list and address logistical challenges such as barge access at some beaches.
After the limited lifeguard action, commissioners asked staff detailed questions about parking projects. Staff said the Glenary parking structure requires beam repairs and striping; Lot 16 is being evaluated at a concept level (including potential public-private partnership options and two potential locations); and the Aliso Beach parking-lot project was scaled back to a rehabilitation scope emphasizing preventative maintenance and required ADA improvements because of possible overlapping estuary work.
Commissioners also asked what a $100,000 concept-review allocation buys; staff said it typically funds consultant time for high-level kickoff and concept design rather than detailed construction documents. Commissioners requested that staff locate and share prior parking-structure studies that the public can review.
A motion to adopt Resolution 2026-0713 — finding the CIP projects consistent with the General Plan, exempt from CEQA, and forwarding the determination to City Council — passed unanimously. The commission also announced a joint study session on objective design standards for one- and two-family residential development set for May 26 at 3:00 p.m. in council chambers.
