Environmental concerns on council agenda

The Laguna Beach City Council will be asked tonight, Oct. 16, to take steps to clear the air and the city of cigarette butts, light spill and Styrofoam.

Mayor Toni Iseman believes that Laguna Beach should follow the example of Orange County and the cities of Irvine, Seal Beach, Fountain Valley and Laguna Hills, which have ordinances banning smoking in public parks.

“The ordinance would reduce the influence of second-hand smoke, but equally important, it would reduce obnoxious litter,” Iseman said.

She will ask the council to direct the city manager and the city attorney to prepare the ordinance.

Iseman also will ask the council to discuss the concept of a “dark skies ordinance” and approve her request to take up the matter with the Board of Adjustment/Design Review Board and the Planning Commission.

“I believe that Laguna Beach should start looking at options to promote a more efficient and effective use of man-made light,” Iseman said.

She cited a Colorado city’s regulations that limit light spill into the atmosphere and onto neighboring properties.

Iseman said limiting the light spill would enhance the aesthetics of the city, reduce costs and mitigate global warming.

The council also will discuss the concept of an ordinance to ban food-service establishments from using non-recyclable plastic or single-use polystyrene containers and require them to provide recycling receptacles.

There would be exemptions for undue hardship where no “reasonably” feasible alternative is available.

Fines of $100, $200 and $500 are proposed for violators.

If approved, the concept will be distributed to the city’s Environmental Committee, the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and the California Restaurant Assn. to allow time for review and comment before the first reading of the proposed ordinance at the Nov. 20 council meeting.

If passed, the ordinance would take effect July 1, 2008.

Tonight’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave. Agendas will available at the door. The meeting will be broadcast over Cox Cable Channel 30. Viewers with digital reception should tune to Channel 852.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net or call the City Clerk’s office at (949) 497-0705.