Laguna beach city news City of Laguna Beach, California

City Council Appointed Committees

The City Council is accepting applications for the following Committees and Boards: Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Heritage Committee, Parking, Traffic & Circulation Committee,  Recreation Committee, and View Restoration Committee.

Interviews and appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. by the City Council. All applicants may be interviewed. Applicants may be contacted by City Council members prior to the interviews and appointments, so please be prepared to make a brief statement about your desire to serve.

Laguna Beach residents who are interested in serving on one of these Committees or Boards should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office or online from the City’s website, www.lagunabeachcity.net, and file it by Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at (949) 497-0705. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

Number of positions that will be open and details for the following Committees and Boards (*The City Council may reduce or increase the number of positions at its discretion):

(2) two-year terms on the Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment with terms beginning April 1, 2026, and extending through March 31, 2028. The Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment is a five-member body appointed by the City Council to evaluate new one- or two-unit residential projects, or additions thereto, for compliance with the General Plan, Zoning Code, City-adopted design guidelines, and general neighborhood compatibility. The Board may also consider granting a variance from provisions of the Zoning Code if warranted.Board members are compensated in the amount of $392.00 per month. The Board generally meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. and may, from time to time, hold a special meeting depending on the volume of pending applications.

A substantial time commitment of approximately 10 hours per week is necessary to be a Board member. In addition to the bi-monthly meetings, Board members are expected to visit each project site, as well as affected neighboring properties, and to review project plans prior to the meeting. The Board acts on an average of 10 items per meeting. It is desirable to have, or be able to acquire, certain skills or aptitudes, such as the ability to understand and conceptualize architectural drawings and to visualize building mass and volumes based upon on-site staking plans. Experience in the building trades, architecture, historic preservation, landscaping, planning, and/or real estate would be an asset.

(3) two-year terms on the Environmental Sustainability Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Environmental Sustainability Committee is a seven-member advisory body to the City Council. The purpose of the Committee is researching, reviewing, and advising the City Council on items related to protecting the environment and improving the community’s future sustainability. The Committee receives its work assignments from the City Council. Committee members research issues and policies and prepare recommendations for approval by the Committee for submission to the City Council. A personal time commitment of 10 to 15 hours per month may be necessary to accomplish tasks. Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. Meetings may be two or more hours and often require a great deal of preparation time.

 (2) two-year terms on the Heritage Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Heritage Committee is currently a five-member body that serves in an advisory role on matters pertaining to historic preservation and reviews applications for the City’s Historic Register. Meetings are generally held on the third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.

(3) two-year terms on the Parking, Traffic & Circulation Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Parking, Traffic & Circulation  Committee is a seven-member body that acts in an advisory capacity on matters pertaining to parking, traffic, circulation, and traffic complaints. Meetings are generally held on the  fourth Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m.

(3) two-year terms on the Recreation Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Recreation Committee is a seven-member body that directs its efforts in the area of providing for the recreation and park needs of the community. Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.

(2) two-year terms on the View Restoration Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. Members of the View Restoration Committee adjudicate view claims submitted by property owners to restore pre-existing views that are alleged to be significantly impaired by vegetation. The five-member Committee conducts public hearings to review claims, hear testimony, and determine significant view impairment. The Committee may approve a view restoration order and establish a maintenance schedule for the subject vegetation on the property. The View Restoration Committee generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.