City Council Special Meeting for Appeal Hearings - July 28, 2026

The City Council of Laguna Beach held a special meeting on July 28, 2026, primarily to hear appeals related to design review and coastal development permits for residential projects at 399 Pearl Street and 332 Locust Street. The discussions focused heavily on the proposed additions and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), with significant community concern about building site coverage, neighborhood compatibility, privacy impacts, and view obstruction. The council considered staff presentations, public testimony from appellants and supporters, and applicant responses. Key procurement-related deliberations included potential modifications to project plans to reduce ADU size to 800 square feet, setbacks from neighboring properties, and compliance with newly enacted building site coverage caps. The council debated imposing more restrictive conditions versus remanding projects back to the design review board for further evaluation. Ultimately, the council voted to continue the 399 Pearl Street project to allow for revised plans reflecting reduced ADU size and increased setbacks, while upholding the design review board's approval for the 332 Locust Street project. The meeting highlighted the challenges of balancing state ADU laws with local coastal and neighborhood standards, and the importance of clear conditions and plan specificity in project approvals.