LAGUNA BEACH : Canyon Club Project Faces Some Hurdles

Members of a club for recovering alcoholics who want to build a new center in Laguna Canyon must submit a traffic study and resolve concerns of residents opposing the move before it can be allowed, the Laguna Beach Planning Commission said.

After two hours of testimony Wednesday both for and against the move, commissioners were torn between the sentiments of homeowners, who say the development would burden their neighborhood with traffic, and club supporters, who called the Canyon Club “an asset to the whole community.”

Rookie Commissioner Paul P. Freeman called it his “first tortuous decision” since joining the board.

All four commissioners present expressed support for the work done by the Canyon Club, a nonprofit organization which provides space for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings throughout the day.

“Overall, I have to say the Canyon Club, in a significant way, very much contributes to the health and safety of the community of Laguna Beach,” Commissioner Jeff Powers said. The Canyon Club has operated in Laguna Canyon since 1961.

The controversy revolves around the club’s attempt to move from its current 1,800-square-foot center on Laguna Canyon Road to a location about a mile and a half inland on the same street, Sun Valley Drive. Since zoning for that area does not allow such a use, the club must win a special permit from the commission.

Area residents, however, say the move should not be allowed because it will draw more people and cars to their rural community.

“We have 12 little children on that street, and it’s a zoo now,” Ken Lauher said. “It’s going to be just a maze of cars.”

Proponents of the move say they will not be a burden to the community, something the commission asked them to prove by conducting a traffic study of the area. As mitigation, commissioners are asking the club to also find ways to help solve traffic problems that already exist.

The vote was 4 to 0 in favor of pursuing the project. Commissioner Barbara Metzger was absent.

“I think all of us want this to work, and we want it to work for everybody,” Commission Chairman Norm Grossman said.

There are usually four meetings every day at the Canyon Club, with six to 60 men and women attending each. Since the existing center has only about six parking spaces, most members must park at a lot across the street and then take a risky dash across Laguna Canyon Road, a hazard they say would be eliminated if they are allowed to build the proposed 4,500-square-foot center with a 90-space parking lot.

The application will be reconsidered by the Planning Commission at its first meeting in December.