LAGUNA HILLS : Mall Expansion Gets Green Light

The City Council this week cleared two major hurdles in the long-awaited expansion of the Laguna Hills Mall.

In a 4-0 vote, the council approved an environmental impact report detailing the impact the project will have on the surrounding area and approved a site development permit for the 380,000-square-foot project.

Councilman R. Craig Scott abstained.

The expansion is expected to be built in three phases. The first phase, which is scheduled to be completed by next year, will convert a former Buffum’s department store into general retail space. It also will add 11,500 square feet of retail space, a 7,300-square-foot food court and two new restaurants.

The second phase, to be completed in 1994, will add a multi-screen, 17,000-square-foot movie theater, a 190-space parking structure and 13,000 square feet of small shops.

The final phase, to be built by 1995, will include a new department store, 45,000 square feet of retail space, expansion of an existing department store and three new parking structures.

“The mall is in vital need of remodeling,” Councilman Joel T. Lautenschleger said. “It has not been remodeled since it was built in the late 1970s. It’s also going to mean about 600 more jobs for local residents and additional sales tax and property tax revenue for the city.”