Group sues Coastal Commission over work/live project
A group that opposed the artist work/live project in Laguna Beach Canyon — approved with special conditions by the California Coastal Commission in January — has filed a lawsuit against the state board to have the decision rescinded.
The suit was filed on March 6 in Santa Ana Superior Court, meeting the 60-day deadline required to challenge a Coastal Commission ruling.
Laguna Beach residents Audrey Prosser, Jackie Gallagher and Devora Hertz are collective petitioners as Friends of the Canyon, represented by San Diego-based environmental attorney Julie Hamilton.
Property owner and project developer Louis Longi was surprised Wednesday when a reporter informed him of the lawsuit.
“I have no quote because I don’t know anything about it,” Longi said, adding that he was essentially indifferent to the news.
The unanimous commission ruling on Jan. 8 followed a year of considerable debate over the project, which calls for two two-story buildings with 17,242 square feet of indoor work and living space on Laguna Canyon road. Its 30 residential units would include eight reserved for low-income applicants.
The original proposal was approved by the Planning Commission and the City Council, both by narrow 3-2 votes, before the Coastal Commission voted 12 to 0 in favor of an amended plan with special conditions.
Supporters successfully argued that the facility would help keep more artists in a city renowned for its artistic heritage.
Opponents maintained that the 36-foot-tall project would be too close to a creek prone to flooding and violate policies of the Laguna Canyon Annexation Area Specific Plan that specify developments be small-scale and rural in character.
On behalf of Friends of the Canyon, Hamilton filed the petition for writ of mandate, contending the Coastal Commission members “abused their discretion in approving the coastal development permit.”
Hamilton believes a finding by the commission that Laguna Canyon Creek is not designated on the city’s watershed drainage map is erroneous. She added that her clients disagree with the location, size and scope of the project and argue that it would not conform to the rural distinction.
The petition does nothing at this time to prevent the project from going forward.
“The developer can proceed at their own risk,” Hamilton said. “We would have to go to court and request an injunction to prevent them from proceeding.”
Longi, a bronze sculpture artist who lives in a single-family home on the property, said he’s been modifying plans to comply with the special conditions since the commission ruling.
He isn’t sure how long it may take to receive a notice of intent to issue a permit so he can begin construction.
If indifferent but still a bit confused by the latest legal challenge, Longi added, “I mean, at what point to do you look at the facts and conclude that you’ve lost?”