Design Review Board Meeting

The City of Laguna Beach Design Review Board convened on July 24, 2026, to review multiple residential development projects involving design reviews, coastal development permits, variances, and revocable encroachment permits. Key procurement-related discussions focused on approving or continuing projects based on compliance with design guidelines, neighborhood compatibility, privacy, view equity, and environmental impact. Notably, the board approved a modest deck addition at 553 Lombardi with conditions, continued a major remodel at 30722 Driftwood Drive to allow redesign for setback compliance, and continued a large-scale project at 661 NY's Place to address concerns about massing, privacy, and view impacts. The board also reviewed a complex lot combination and large home remodel at 854 Tijana Street, expressing concerns about neighborhood compatibility, view obstruction, and environmental impacts, ultimately continuing the item for further revisions. The meeting concluded with a briefing on recently adopted design review ordinance updates aimed at streamlining processes and reducing findings requirements, with staff to provide further summaries in upcoming meetings.