City Council/Planning Commission/Design Review Board Joint Study Session - May 26, 2026

The City of Laguna Beach held a joint study session on May 26, 2026, involving the City Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review Board to discuss the development of objective design standards (ODS) for single and two-family residential projects. The session included a presentation by the city's consultant, JKA, on the first public review draft of the Phase 2 ODS document, which aims to comply with recent state housing laws by replacing subjective design review criteria with clear, measurable standards. The discussion focused on the proposed design standards, including architectural form groups, materials, height limits, setbacks, and the applicability of the standards to additions, remodels, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Several questions and comments were raised regarding the inclusion of local architectural styles, material specifications, landscaping, lighting, privacy, and view impacts. The bodies provided feedback to guide further refinement of the document, with staff indicating that additional public input and revisions would follow before formal adoption. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting.