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Planning commission approves Faherty storefront, including sign permit, at 255 Forest Avenue
Summary
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on April 15 approved design review and a sign permit for façade improvements at 255 Forest Avenue to accommodate a Faherty clothing store, with staff finding the project exempt from CEQA under State Guidelines §15301.
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on April 15 adopted Resolution 2026-0125 approving exterior façade improvements and associated signage for a new Faherty retail tenant at 255 Forest Avenue.
Associate planner Shoyar Khan told the commission that the ground-floor tenant space in the downtown commercial district would receive a modest architectural wood cladding above the storefront, new paint finishes on mullions and doors, and three types of signage — a wall sign, a suspended blade sign and two window logos. Staff recommended approval and stated the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under State CEQA Guidelines §15301 (existing facilities).
The applicant, Mary Ann Perry, said the decision to include signage in the planning package followed pre-submittal discussions with staff. “We did our due diligence a year in advance and we spoke with the planning department,” Perry said, adding that staff advised including signage to present a complete design package.
Architect Jose Vintimilla said the entrance tile branded by a previous tenant will be replaced with plain gray tile and that existing brick and doors will be retained where possible. “We're basically applying paint over the door with color, and we have some kick plates,” he said. He also described tailoring the store’s styling to Laguna Beach’s “beach concept.”
Commissioners asked whether the sign would normally be handled administratively and were told that because the proposed wood cladding and paint changes are part of an exterior modification package, the commission’s review was appropriate to avoid piecemealing. Several commissioners praised the proposal’s restrained palette and the decision to keep brick intact, calling the submission “refined” and “well thought out.”
A commissioner moved to adopt Resolution 2026-0125 approving design review 2026-0125 and sign permit 2026-0565 and finding the project exempt from CEQA pursuant to State Guidelines §15301. The motion passed unanimously (yes votes recorded from Commissioners Dubin, Sadler, Whiten, Chair Pro Tem Goldman and Chair Kellenberg).
The commission’s approvals leave in place conditions listed in the staff report; the applicant and design team said they plan a future ribbon-cutting timed with the Promenade reopening.
