April 2023 Hearing Report

The April meeting took place virtually over Zoom on April 12-14. On Wednesday, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy gave an informational presentation on their coastal access program and 2023 work plan and the Commission made changes to their 2023 meeting schedule.

Wednesday was also a busy day for Laguna Beach where three controversial items were heard.

• Item W11b, the appeal of a local CDP for a new coastal bluff home in Laguna was continued to a future hearing after deliberations questioning the permit history and staff’s request for more time to review the history.
• Item W12a found ‘substantial issue’ with a City CDP for demolition of a sewer lift station and construction of a new one - the ‘de novo’ portion of the hearing will return in the future.
• Item W12c, the Commission denied a City permit for a perimeter fence on coastal bluffs in Laguna, citing the need for an alternatives analysis such as native landscaping in lieu of a fence. This item resulted in a vote chart, check it out for more details.

The Commission found ‘substantial issue’ with a permit appeal for a new beachfront house on Beach Road in Dana Point and approved ‘cease and desist’ enforcement orders for violations resulting in blocked public access at the Temescal Ridge Trail in Los Angeles County - the former resulting in a vote chart.

For more information, check out the meeting page and our YouTube channel for ActCoastal partner comments.