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Planning panel makes temporary paid lot permanent at 104 N. Coast Highway, waives parking study
Summary
After operating under temporary permits for 12 years, a private service station parking lot was granted a permanent conditional use permit and coastal permit; staff and departments reported no spillover issues and the commission waived a formal parking study before approving the CUP on a 5–0 vote.
Laguna Beach's Planning Commission on May 20 approved a conditional use permit and coastal development permit to make a long‑running temporary paid parking operation at 104 North Coast Highway a permanent entitlement, waiving a formal parking study because the lot operated for years under Temporary Use Permits without documented impacts.
Staff noted the site's history of temporary approvals dating to 2014 and the most recent TUP (approved in May 2023) that ran through May 2026. The proposed permanent plan would provide a total of 30 spaces on the service‑station parcel; after reserving five spaces for the convenience store and eight pump spaces, 17 spaces would be offered for paid parking (12 compact and 5 standard). The applicant requested that the previously required parking study be waived; staff recommended waiver after consultation with Public Works, Police and Code Enforcement, which reported no recurring problems during the prior three‑year term.
Why it matters: The lot sits close to the beach and downtown visitor destinations; converting successfully operating private lots into permanent public‑facing parking increases visitor supply and reduces the need for repeated temporary permits. Staff said the lot meets objective code standards; Public Works conditioned an angled striping adjustment to preserve circulation and the fire department approved access.
Applicant architect Marshall Linnett said the configuration evolved through prior temporary uses and that only minor site tweaks were required; the plan retains one‑way circulation where necessary to meet aisle widths. Commissioners noted the lot's long record of operation, departmental reviews showing no issues, and community support in correspondence on the file.
Outcome: The commission voted 5–0 to waive the parking study and adopt Resolution 2026‑0726 and Resolution 2026‑0727 approving the CUP and associated coastal permit; staff said the approvals would allow the lot to operate in perpetuity unless revoked or abandoned.
