LAGUNA BEACH : Village Entrance Debate Renewed

Laden with trailers, buses and storage bins, the plot of land where Laguna Canyon meets downtown Laguna may not look like much now, but it has potential, city leaders say.

The “Village Entrance,” as the 9 or so acres across from the Festival of Arts grounds are known, has for decades had minds spinning with visions of what it could, or should, become.

“The Village Entrance has been talked about probably for 30 years,” said Bobbi Cox, the city’s Arts Commission head. “It’s the epitome of Laguna, where the arts and the natural environment and people meet together.”

For half a century, the city-owned land has served as the city’s corporate yard. Two years ago, trailers were moved onto the property to create makeshift offices for city employees while City Hall was being remodeled next door.

But with the remodeling nearing completion and city workers packing to move back to their permanent offices on the weekend of Oct. 26, groups throughout the city have again been eyeing the land.

Some imagine it in a more natural state, with a bubbling stream running along its edge. Others envision a “sculpture garden” rising from the property, turning the parcel itself into a work of art. Still others say it is ideal for senior housing, affordable apartments, an art museum or a parking structure.

“People have a lot of different ideas about what’s going to happen to that property,” said John Monahan, housing committee chairman.

After considering Village Entrance plans for the last several months, Norm Grossman said he and his fellow planning commissioners have warmed to the idea of renovating the natural stream that runs down the canyon and along the property.

“It seems so appropriate for our town,” Grossman said. “Everybody we’ve talked to is enthusiastic about the idea. But there are a lot of problems, too. It’s a major undertaking.”

City Manager Kenneth C. Frank strikes a more cautious tone in discussing the land. It is not a piece of property the city can afford to donate, he said.

“People think there’s some free land that’s available, and there isn’t,” he said.

Even after the trailers are removed, the property will still be needed for city parking and other uses, Frank said, adding that relocating the corporate yard would cost $2 million to $3 million.

The Planning Commission has asked the City Council to consider the various Village Entrance plans on Tuesday and decide whether planners should move ahead and, if so, in which direction.

“We invite public input on this,” Cox said. “What the Planning Commission and Art Commission and Design Review (Commission) are trying to do is get involved with this in advance so we can assure the city is getting what is the best use for that property.”