THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020
California Coastal Commission Approves Ban on New Short Term Rentals in Laguna Beach
On Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the City of Laguna Beach Local Coastal Plan that bans new Short Term Lodging (STL) rental units in all residential-zoned neighborhoods.
"We are very gratified by the Coastal Commission’s unanimous approval of our short-term lodging ordinance," said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. "This culminates years of public hearings and work by City staff. I believe the result, which is to ban all new short-term lodging in residential zones, is strongly supported by our residents who value greatly the peace and quiet of their neighborhoods. It also helps to preserve our long-term rental housing supply and protects residents who are renting units in the residential zones from eviction for short-term lodging. This is a very positive outcome for our City."
Specifically, the Coastal Commission decision bans new Short Term Lodging Units in the City's residential districts (R-1, R-2, or R-3), and places new restrictions on the number of housing units that can be converted to Short Term Lodging in the City's mixed use and commercial districts.
"This achieves a balance of promoting coastal access while preserving the City's residential neighborhoods and housing stock," said Marc Wiener, Laguna Beach Director of Community Development.
In three years, City officials will provide a report to the Coastal Commission on the status of the short-term rental program.
Fire Department Meets Grazing Goals; Goats Leave for Winter
The Laguna Beach Fire Department is pleased to announce that all interior and exterior fire break goat grazing goals were met by the beginning of October.
Due to the completion, the City's goat herds have left the City for the winter, with the exception of a small herd of about 20 goats doing some touch-up work in areas experiencing grow-back.
After increased precipitation last spring, the City brought in a total of 650 goats this year as part of the City's Fuel Modification program (three goat herds, each with its owner herder.) Fuel modification in and around the City of Laguna Beach is also done by hand-crews.
Thank you to our Fire Department, our goat herders and the fire goats for another job well done this year!
Options for Voting in the Upcoming November 2020 Election
Mail-in ballots have been sent to all registered voters in Orange County!
There is still time to register to vote: the registration deadline for the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election is October 19, 2020.
You have the following options to cast your vote in the November 2020 Election:
- Mail back your completed ballot;
- Drop off your completed ballot at any of the 116 Orange County ballot drop boxes;
- Deliver your completed ballot to any Orange County Vote Center starting October 30.
In Laguna Beach, Drop Off Your Ballot At:
Laguna Beach Branch Library - Laguna Ave. & 363 Glenneyre Street
Open 24 hours from October 5 to November 3 until 8 p.m.
You May Vote or Drop Off Your Ballot at These Locations Starting October 30:
- Laguna Beach Community Center & Susi Q Center - 380 3rd Street
- Lang Park - 21540 Wesley Drive
Open October 30 to November 3, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
& Open Election Day 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wendt Terrace Closed Tomorrow for Construction
Wendt Terrace will be closed between Park Avenue and Glomstad Lane on Friday, October 9, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for roadway utility construction.
Traffic will be detoured around Griffith Way, Browncroft Road and St. Ann’s Drive.
For questions, please contact Joshua McDonald, Associate Civil Engineer, at (949) 497-0728 or jmcdonald@lagunabeachcity.net.
Stargazers: See the Dracnoid Meteor Shower Tonight - Saturday!
Tonight through Saturday shooting stars from the annual Draconid meteor shower will be visible in the night sky. This is one shower that’s best to watch at nightfall or early evening, not after midnight.
By the way, there are more meteor showers ahead!