Laguna Beach

Coast Panel to Hear Plan: A novel plan to convert part of an unused elementary school in South Laguna to a 71-unit senior citizen apartment complex will come before the Coastal Commission today, which is expected to endorse it. The project, jointly developed by the Orange County Environmental Management Agency and the nonprofit National Church Residences of Laguna Beach, would use $3.8 million in federal funds to convert about half the school site to one- and two-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors. Another portion of the school would be converted to a senior citizens center and a children’s day-care facility. Ron Roluffs, a planner for the county EMA, said construction could begin before the end of September if the plan is approved.