Judge Bars Festival Lease Until Ruling
An Orange County Superior Court judge on Thursday issued an order prohibiting the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts board from signing a lease with San Clemente until he rules on a board recall effort next week.
Superior Court Judge William F. McDonald said the temporary restraining order prevents the festival board, which is looking to move the 68-year-old institution, from consummating any contract with the South County city until after Wednesday’s hearing. His order does not stop officials of the summer venue from continuing negotiations.
“This really doesn’t change anything,” said festival President Sherri M. Butterfield, the mayor of Mission Viejo. “We have not reached a position to sign a lease [with San Clemente] yet anyway.”
Festival officials rejected the recall effort last month, saying that there were not enough signatures, and also said that some signatures were not valid.
The festival is in exclusive lease negotiations with San Clemente until June 19. The festival’s board has contended Laguna Beach has charged exorbitant rent, nearly $600,000 last year. A new lease proposal Laguna Beach offered this month will not be considered until talks with San Clemente have concluded, Butterfield said.
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