Laguna to Decide on Buyout Plan

LAGUNA BEACH — Pending the approval of a revised city proposal by Donald L. Bren, the Irvine Co.’s chief executive officer, the City Council is expected to decide today whether to buy the company’s land in environmentally sensitive Laguna Canyon.

The council scheduled today’s closed-door special session to consider a Laguna Laurel purchase agreement tentatively reached Saturday by representatives of the company and the city. Negotiators were expected to meet this morning before the council session.

Mayor Lida Lenney said city officials were not sure late Saturday whether the meeting “will come off or not” because company officials were still briefing Bren on the proposal. But several officials involved in the talks were optimistic that an agreement would be reached today.

The Laguna Laurel Advisory Group--including representatives of the company, the city and environmental groups--tentatively agreed Tuesday on a buyout for the 2,150 acres.