LAGUNA BEACH : City Endorses Idea of Creating Stream

The City Council this week endorsed the idea of transforming a concrete drainage ditch into a flowing stream but refused to offer staff time for the project, saying the city must give priority to other matters.

Planning commissioners are now expected to investigate the feasibility of the massive project, which would restore the creek that runs along Laguna Canyon Road and beside City Hall.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm about it,” commission Chairwoman Kathleen Blackburn told the council. “We feel we need to lay the groundwork and get going on it.”

Blackburn had appealed to the council for authorization to investigate restoring the stream and requested up to two hours of staff time per week to help with the project. City Manager Kenneth C. Frank, however, told the council that his staff is already busy with more pressing matters, including work on the Local Coastal Plan and the Diamond Crestview community.

The council approved the concept of restoring the stream and encouraged planning commissioners to continue looking into the project. “It’s a goal I think all of us share,” Councilwoman Ann Christoph said.

The stream restoration idea is being considered as part of a larger effort to design a prominent plot of land known as the Village Entrance, about 10 acres across from the Festival of Arts grounds.

For 50 years the land has served as the city’s corporate yard. Recently it has housed trailers for municipal workers while City Hall was being remodeled. With the remodeling almost complete, various groups have begun showing an increased interest in the future of the site.