City Council Meeting Wrap-Up

The following is from the Oct. 19 Laguna Beach City Council meeting.

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Shelter volunteers recognized

The city honored volunteers who have delivered free food to the city’s alternative sleeping location for the city’s homeless population.

Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman made the presentation on behalf of the council.

“What makes it [program] work are the volunteers,” Iseman said.

More than 130 volunteers participate in buying, preparing and delivering the food for up to 60 people a night. They represent churches, the Laguna Relief and Resource Center, Helping Hands, community organizations, Mission Hospital and local families.

“We thank them for their selfless, caring service,” Iseman said.

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Building code revisions

The city staff proposed two ordinances that include the adoption of and amendments to the 2010 California codes related to building codes, including the Green Building Codes.

The amendments, approved unanimously, change little in the 2007 code adopted by the city, but do include regulations for the use of portable propane heaters.

Local amendments include adoption of the Orange County Fire Chiefs’ Safety Elements for Solar Systems, the Orange County Fire Authority’s Emergency Responder Digital Radio Guidelines and conditions for permitting outdoor fires in hazardous areas.

WHAT IT MEANS

If approved at the second reading, the changes would take effect Jan. 1.

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Water Quality Control code amended

The staff presented a minor amendment to the municipal code related to water use — regulations proposed to stop run-off from lawn and irrigation watering. The amendment, approved unanimmously, requires a second reading to be put on the books.

WHAT IT MEANS

Proposed prohibitions mimic regulations already put into effect by the county water district.

“We have different goals,” Egly said. “The water district’s goal is to save water, the city’s goal is to save the ocean.”

Run-off that gets into storm drains will be a violation of the code.

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Ailing tree lopped off Heritage List

The council approved 5 to 0 a request by the property owner of 2618 Quesda Way to remove an Aleppo Pine from the Heritage Tree List.

On the list at the property owners’ request since 1991, the tree is suffering from a fatal fungus infection, in danger of falling on the property owner’s home and interfering with utility service, the owner claimed.

The council is required by the city code to consider the condition of a tree, its proximity to existing or proposed structures, the topography of the land and the effect of a removal on erosion, and increased flow of surface water; the remaining number of trees in the neighborhood and the effect of the removal on the established landscape, and view impairment or unsafe conditions if the tree were to remain.

With five other pines, 15 ficus and a couple of ligustrum on the property, the removal was deemed not to adversely affect the landscape.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council approved the removal and waived the requirement for a replacement.

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Quivera Street addition denied

Neighbors of 805 Quivera St. claimed a 48-square-foot addition approved by the Design Review Board adversely affected their views from the mid-level of their home and decreased light to mid- and lower-level rooms.

The council overturned the approval 3 to 2.

WHAT IT MEANS

The property owner will not be permitted to build the addition or 76 square feet of decks and a fire ring as approved by the board.

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Glenneyre Street addition sent back

A proposal to add a 259-square-foot second story addition and 150 square feet of decking on an R-2 home was remanded to the Design Review Board on a 5-0 vote. The property owner chose remand over denial of the project, which had been approved by the board.

The council did approve a request for an encroachment that allows the property owner to keep bricked parking spaces, if they are posted as public.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council suggested the board work with the property owner to evaluate if there is an alternative that would better preserve the views and light and air of neighbors.

—Barbara Diamond