[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6342664,"mediaKeyId","2253685-a3191c03785ca7786e27ad9ad46385a5","parentId",2253685,"title","Laguna Beach planning panel approves two fuel‑modification zones after lengthy public hearing","audioSeconds",4,"startMs",1125,"endMs",5462,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2253685-a3191c03785ca7786e27ad9ad46385a5&start=1&end=5","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2253685-a3191c03785ca7786e27ad9ad46385a5/thumbnail_1125.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342664/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Laguna-Beach-planning-panel-approves-two-fuelmodification-zones-after-lengthy-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342664-648493d9b2b5faacca3970e33c6526b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180839&Signature=RSVwJLHd~r7cD1M~cHJVdWtjsukCHMTzStyZ8joIOIJzm4-zLzAdUhQxETKqZq163oggFBhL86WDaTC0utqoMPscdxmUQ53M~sWrilfeGfVVfLGsdF-46Z6mXkQFWOUBt07XTkUknxZWIY~znpbI37fasRXP3ZfrJtpBjbVDBO5wdTTmbyewtj5CPPFgRrWgW5-ahUNUdnnNRupo3P-BLjwO48x9QSkkD9qLPM6yCVyQE1RwP9ICkWift5DBA12b4Pvw-38DJpT6M~C7k68L1Jcnz9sixWyORbymBl7XS5rT5SYCw~hQIH4KcSIPa7lMcMyHiprjJWnpDIRxqwt~vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laguna Beach","date","2025-02-02T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Laguna Beach Planning Commission on Feb. 5 unanimously approved design review and coastal permitting actions to establish two new fuel‑modification zones — FMZ 16 in Lower Hobo Canyon and FMZ 19 in Diamond Crestview — intended to create roughly 100‑foot fuel breaks to protect homes and infrastructure from wildfire.

Shweta Sharma, the city’s senior planner, told the commission the projects cover roughly 13.66 acres for FMZ 16 and about 25.44 acres for FMZ 19 and that the fire department expects initial clearing as early as spring 2025. Sharma said the environmental analysis identified special‑status plants in FMZ 16 and that some areas would be excluded from treatment to avoid impacts. “With mitigation, any potentially significant impacts to the native vegetation would be reduced to less than significant,” she said.

Why it matters: The two zones are the final fuel‑modification areas the city is processing as part of a program that now totals 27 FMZs citywide. Commissioners and residents repeatedly said the city needs to move quickly because of rising fire risk and the experience of recent conflagrations elsewhere in California.

Key facts and approvals
- FMZ 19 (Diamond Crestview) — described in staff materials as about 25.44 acres and lying in a very high fire hazard severity area — was approved by the commission with design review and a coastal development permit. The commission adopted an initial study and a mitigated negative declaration and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program. The motion passed unanimously (Goldman: yes; Whiting: yes; Dubin: yes; Chair Pro Tem Kellenberg: yes; Chair Sadler: yes).
- FMZ 16 (Lower Hobo Canyon) — described as about 13.66 acres and also in a very high fire hazard severity area — was approved by the commission with design review and a consolidated coastal development permit that will be processed by the California Coastal Commission. The commission adopted an initial study and mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting program. Motion passed unanimously (same roll call).

Treatment approach, exclusions and environmental review
City staff said the treatment protocol uses hand crews and a suite of non‑mechanized measures in compliance with the California Coastal Act. Sharma and the environmental consultant described targeted removal of “flashy” fuels and, where required, limited trimming of native vegetation to reduce ember exposure. The staff report and initial study identify special‑status plants in FMZ 16 and describe exclusion areas and mitigation measures; staff said those measures reduce impacts to less‑than‑significant levels under CEQA.

Herbicide use, monitoring and opt‑outs
Fire Marshal Robert Montegamu told the commission the fire department currently has “a pause on the use of any herbicide per direction of counsel, for study,” and that herbicides are not being used under the current treatment protocol. He said the department historically used targeted herbicide application for invasive species but that use is currently paused. Residents pressed for clarity about what tools may be used; several speakers suggested nonchemical options be prioritized but others urged the department to use every effective tool available for risk reduction.

The fire marshal also explained property‑owner opt‑outs: owners who decline city access must maintain required defensible space themselves under the city’s enforcement protocols and applicable state law; if hazards remain, the department will respond to complaints and enforce municipal code provisions as appropriate. The marshal said most owners cooperate and that the city has a high compliance rate.

Public comments and concerns
About two dozen residents and community volunteers spoke during the hearing. Many urged approval and emphasized evacuation and access problems in the Diamond Crestview neighborhoods. Matt Lawson, a longtime Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee volunteer, told the commission “we stand at the same level of risk as they did in the Palisades and Lahaina and Paradise.” Other commenters pressed for faster Coastal Commission review or legislative fixes to speed permit processing, raised questions about water infrastructure and hydrant capacity, and asked how trees, paper streets, vacant lots and private property maintenance will be handled.

Fire leadership perspective
Fire Chief King described what firefighters have observed in recent large fires and emphasized that “it’s really the ember cast that is problematic” for structure protection; he said fuel modification zones reduce fire intensity where they are maintained, improving firefighters’ ability to protect structures. King and other staff said the city will continue to maintain permits in perpetuity rather than allowing them to lapse because reauthorizing them is costly and time‑consuming.

Commission discussion and next steps
Commissioners expressed unanimous support but also urged speed and continued coordination with state and regional agencies. The commission approved resolutions adopting the CEQA documents, design reviews and permits and directed staff to proceed with Coastal Commission submittal for the consolidated permit where required. Staff and the fire department said they will continue outreach, inspections and coordination with water agencies, and that the city will evaluate the adequacy of the 100‑foot width standard in light of evolving fire science.

Quotes
- “Right now…we have a pause on the use of any herbicide per direction of counsel, for study,” — Robert Montegamu, Fire Marshal.
- “It’s really the ember cast that is problematic,” — Chief King, Laguna Beach Fire Department.
- “We stand at the same level of risk as they did in the Palisades and Lahaina and Paradise,” — Matt Lawson, resident and former chair of the EDPC fire mitigation subcommittee.

What the approvals do not do
The planning commission’s approvals authorize the design and the CEQA findings; where a consolidated coastal permit is required the item will move to the California Coastal Commission for final action and local implementation depends on that agency’s timeline. The commission did not adopt any emergency ordinances or change state law.

Public resources and follow‑up
Staff noted that the full treatment protocol, environmental analyses and the mitigation monitoring and reporting program are available on the city’s website in the Planning Commission agenda packet. The fire department said residents can request complimentary wildfire consultation inspections via the fire prevention web page.

Ending note
The commission approved both items unanimously and closed the public hearing after roughly two hours of staff presentations, fire‑department testimony and extended public comment. Officials said initial clearing could begin in spring 2025 and that coordination with the California Coastal Commission and local water agencies will continue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting - February 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Laguna Beach Planning Commission on Feb. 5 unanimously approved design review and coastal permitting for two new fuel‑modification zones — FMZ 16 (Lower Hobo Canyon) and FMZ 19 (Diamond Crestview) — with initial clearing expected as early as spring 2025.","taxTitle","Laguna Beach, Orange County, California","taxId",56774,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6342659,"Laguna Beach panel approves Farmers & Merchants Bank signs, limits logo lighting and delays installation until metal panels arrive",1,5584,7379,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2253685-a3191c03785ca7786e27ad9ad46385a5&start=5&end=7","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2253685-a3191c03785ca7786e27ad9ad46385a5/thumbnail_5584.jpg","/articles/6342659/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Laguna-Beach-panel-approves-Farmers-Merchants-Bank-signs-limits-logo-lighting-and-delays-installation-until-metal-panels-arrive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342659-cc4ba1a27e6d15d74b5c7ec31aa1e935/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180839&Signature=KBGS0PvJez1QKnmYEORT7nUw8G23bU6vH9RZ9YRPjhlkumnZyE~yWrBwg~vMAYhmFc2oc1XVybbJiF4dZr1nDFZ5ZnYz-MjAClY6j51wQan~rIpUNvmDLkdV2XuqdJB1sGMgv4oVk~7nudFjovybefX1IGX8oE0hTlFdruunxpKzpn7AvnRlGGUCwhQtRp1IMhaZtVQXDIrreamX6i-NjHnIhKQ47P9lMYreVurz0YJdTnD9UmbpXQg04BEYE68HS-FjPfrkDyq3b03l0VcmU1WWrCk-RA-F8I4Hi1A9uvOIkfzM2CtpxXegla0httQqZNE9tfiQjflBboTZQYVxiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on Feb. 5 approved a sign permit for Farmers & Merchants Bank at 401 Glen Eyrie Street, with conditions that the upper logo sign not be illuminated, be pin‑mounted (no lighted backing), and not be installed until the building’s perforated metal panels are fully installed and undamaged.

Sarah Olsen, the city’s planning technician, summarized the application and noted two outstanding facade elements: perforated metal panels at the building’s northeast and southeast corners and sunshades along the west elevation. The bank proposed an illuminated canopy sign and an illuminated logo wall sign; staff recommended careful consideration of the wall sign’s scale and illumination, and said the applicant had specified a 7,100‑Kelvin LED that staff flagged as a cool, bright color.

Commissioners and applicant
The applicant’s representative, Cynthia Lima of Science & Services Company, explained the logo panel dimensions and said the submitted 7,100‑Kelvin figure was an error. She said a prior Corona Del Mar installation used 4,000K and the team proposed the same warmer temperature for this sign. Lima also told the commission the perforated panels originally arrived damaged twice and are being refinished; the panels have not yet been re‑delivered.

Commission action and conditions
Commissioners unanimously approved the permit with the following conditions: the logo sign must be non‑illuminated; it must be pin‑mounted with no backer raceway or internal illumination; and the logo sign installation is conditioned on completion and installation of the perforated metal panels on the corner of the building. The roll call was unanimous (Goldman: yes; Whiting: yes; Dubin: yes; Chair Pro Tem Kellenberg: yes; Chair Sadler: yes).

Rationale and context
Commissioners and staff discussed sign size, pedestrian scale and color temperature. Several commissioners said the canopy sign (consisting of green painted aluminum letters with white backers for halo illumination) was acceptable, but they wanted the upper wall logo to be more subdued so it would not visually dominate the refined perforated‑panel treatment. Commissioner comments favored a warmer LED color temperature (about 4,000K) and removing internal illumination from the logo panel to reduce visual impact in the downtown setting.

Applicant explanation and schedule
Lima told the commission the panels arrived scratched in November and again two weeks before the hearing; the project team has ordered a third set and is refinishing parts. She said the sign cannot be installed until the perforated elements are in place because the facade details are coordinated: the perforated panel is intended to meet the edges of the sign panel.

Quote
- “The panels arrived damaged in November and then again 2 weeks ago,” — Cynthia Lima, applicant representative.
- “There was an error in our plans with the 7,100. That’s normally what we use for internally illuminated, acrylic face letters… We would propose to utilize the same color temperature as we did in Corona Del Mar,” — Cynthia Lima.

What was decided and what comes next
The permit is approved with the listed conditions; staff will return permit paperwork for issuance once the applicant shows the perforated panels are installed and the logo sign is submitted as non‑illuminated and pin‑mounted. The commission found the action exempt from CEQA.

Ending
The commission’s conditions aim to preserve the building’s chosen architectural treatment while allowing the bank signage needed for identification; the applicant said it will continue to work with fabricators to deliver undamaged panels before final installation.","The Planning Commission approved a sign permit for Farmers & Merchants Bank at 401 Glen Eyrie Street but required the bank’s logo sign to be non‑illuminated, pin‑mounted, and not installed until the building’s perforated metal panels are in place.","actionData","errors"]

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Laguna Beach planning panel approves two fuel‑modification zones after lengthy public hearing

Laguna Beach panel approves Farmers & Merchants Bank signs, limits logo lighting and delays installation until metal panels arrive