Laguna beach city news City of Laguna Beach, California

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, May 6 at 5:00 P.M.

The "Tentative Agenda" is strictly tentative and there is no guarantee that items listed will be agendized as scheduled due to changing priorities, new information, staff workloads, and other unforeseeable events.

Facilities Master Plan Town Hall Recap

On April 24, the City held the Facilities Master Plan Town Hall Meeting, where approximately 35 community members gathered to hear a presentation from the City’s planning team. The three-hour session included an overview of proposed upgrades and redevelopment options for three key facility categories: 1) Public Safety and Civic Services, 2) Community Services and Recreation, and 3) Arts, Culture, and Library Services. Attendees were encouraged to provide feedback and ask questions throughout the evening.

Public Safety and Civic Services

• Public input highlighted strong interest in the future of Laguna Beach’s emergency services infrastructure.
• Residents expressed concern over the current vulnerability of facilities like the Glenneyre Fire Station and proposed Marine Safety units, particularly their location below sea level and limited ability to respond to major natural disasters.
• The City Manager emphasized that fire response and community safety is the highest priority of the Facilities Master Plan, noting that a comprehensive Fire Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan guided the proposals.
• Some attendees questioned whether three fire stations would be sufficient, and consensus was found among the community that fire safety and subsequent upgrades should be prioritized.
• Concerns were also raised about ensuring equitable service coverage for neighborhoods like Arch Beach Heights and Top of the World.
• Questions about cost, facility locations, and coordination with other city functions prompted discussions about balancing financial feasibility with long-term resilience.

Community Services and Recreation

• The discussion around community and recreation facilities revealed enthusiasm for expanding amenities, particularly for families, alongside some concerns about project impacts to neighboring residents and businesses.
• Attendees noted the Susi Q Senior Center’s growing need for storage space and voiced hopes that future recreation center plans would include family-friendly features such as childcare.
• Some concerns were raised regarding the proposed pickleball courts near housing, and suggestions were made to explore alternate locations such as the Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center.
• Questions also emerged about how affordable housing considerations are being addressed within facility planning.
• There was brief discussion on the size and location of parking lots at the proposed amenity sites and local service centers.
• Consensus was found among attendees and the project team to keep parking at reasonable limits to accommodate use by locals in the area.

Arts, Culture, and Library Services

• The final segment of the meeting focused on the City’s cultural facilities, including the Laguna Beach Library, Forum Theater, and Playhouse.
• Accessibility improvements—such as ADA-compliant restrooms and the addition of a lift in the Forum Theater—were identified as key priorities.
• Attendees expressed a desire to preserve the character and cultural legacy of these venues while ensuring they are equipped to serve current and future community needs.
• Parking near the Promenade, particularly spaces used by theater patrons, was a noted concern, as were questions about how the City will prioritize and fund upgrades across the different cultural facilities.
• Interest was also expressed in contributing to future planning for the library, especially in regard to improving study areas and public restrooms.
• Community members voiced a strong commitment to ensuring Laguna Beach’s cultural resources remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come.

Watch the Facilities Master Plan Town Hall Recording:

Stay Informed: Proposed Affordable Housing at Neighborhood Congregational Church

My name is Jeremy Frimond, and I am pleased to serve the City as Assistant City Manager. I want to share information about a proposed affordable housing project at 340 St. Ann’s Drive that may be of interest to you. A private developer, in partnership with the Neighborhood Congregational Church, has submitted a proposal under Senate Bill 4 (SB 4)—a State law that streamlines approval for affordable housing projects on land owned by religious or educational institutions. The proposal also uses the California Density Bonus Law, which allows for increased development opportunities when certain affordable housing requirements are met.

Because of these State laws, the project will follow a different approval path than most other development proposals in Laguna Beach. I recognize that navigating these regulations can be confusing and at times frustrating. That is why I am committed to keeping you informed and helping explain:

• How State housing laws apply to this proposal
• What the City is required—and not required—to do under SB 4 and the Density Bonus Law
• What key project dates and milestones you should be aware of

My team has developed a dedicated webpage on the City’s website that will be updated as new information becomes available. I will also be sending weekly email updates to provide ongoing information about the project and State housing policies more broadly.

If you would like to receive my email updates, I encourage you to sign up with your email address using this link. If you are having any issues signing up, please send me an email at jfrimond@lagunabeachcity.net.

Respectfully,

Jeremy Frimond

Assistant City Manager

FREE Sunset Serenades Concert Returns Next Friday 🎶

Join us every Friday, May 9 – June 20, at the Heisler Park Amphitheater (along Cliff Drive) for our Sunset Serenades concert series, featuring an unforgettable lineup of live performances in a beautiful open-air setting. Bring a blanket or low-seating beach chairs, your favorite snacks, and your dancing spirit — it’s all free and open to the public! Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. We encourage you to bring blankets.

2025 Sunset Serenades Spring Line-Up:

• May 9 – Las Colibri (All-female mariachi ensemble)
• May 16 – The Salty Suites (Americana, folk, and bluegrass)
• May 23 – Lia Booth (Jazz vocalist)
• May 30 – Gypsy Beatles (Gypsy Jazz style Beatles)
• June 6 – Twanguero (Latin rockabilly)
• June 13 – Lola Kristine (Singer-songwriter)
• June 20 – Uncanny Valley (Songs you forgot you loved)

This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.