[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6565173,"mediaKeyId","3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401","parentId",3225949,"title","Commission conditions approval of Forest Avenue Mall design review: painted brick must be stripped","audioSeconds",2456,"startMs",1954000,"endMs",4410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401&start=1954&end=4410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401/thumbnail_1954000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565173/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Commission-conditions-approval-of-Forest-Avenue-Mall-design-review-painted-brick-must-be-stripped","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565173-e24fa3dec5e667cc1bb213737f178875/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157671&Signature=RrOCj9y80q0m7fR-FrPEKCJ0jWtzWww-nTpiMKnp9gIEQMGIVrtTDy59xpIQCP-GC1HADOIsM52u~6Sy0EFucyRrM1ZS7kj0qUIPqj7ypUoVWZQaqUP8V9W31OwQ9tU8I5v58QxrnEQO2SqhqWgsdajC7SNEKVC~XQ2n6vGJmd3rr836BP~k82iGKltTyT~-ZPnlO4d8fTsCaGFhyXxO~HoDTxCkCKWyilqLcRvX7WjBIvV15g4FJKOlLbmy2g0EmvUB0C~i5kHRKdyoAB6tQOSbwKoZIxvjEUpitvzG1rRmu4qfgzVlthNUjprjq4Uszrs1dNDqJJIARwZsf9Ar6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityofLagunaBeachCA","date","2025-05-08T00:50:30Z","article","Laguna Beach's Planning Commission approved a modified design review for the Forest Avenue Mall (332'334 Forest Avenue) but required the applicant to remove paint from brick at two ground-floor corners after staff confirmed prior conditions of approval had not been followed.

Staff summary and history: Planning technician Sarah Olsen described the site and the prior June 5, 2024 planning commission approval that allowed a monochromatic charcoal color scheme on the three-story mixed-use building but included conditions that the brick adjacent to the parking garage remain unpainted (condition 13) and that the trim color be darker than the primary body color (condition 14). Olsen told the commission a code-enforcement case was opened on Dec. 4, 2024 based on a complaint that those conditions were not followed and that the paint applied to the building has a green undertone and a glossy finish that accentuates material variation.

Applicant presentation and explanation: Owner Dan DeClark and project designer Bob White told the commission they believed the painted single-tone treatment was appropriate and said the brick was a thin applied veneer that, after painting, read as an incongruous red patch. White described the decision to paint as taken in the field by the project team while painters were on site: \"When the painters were there, I made the call that it was the right thing to do.\" DeClark and White apologized for the misunderstanding and said they had intended to make a significant aesthetic improvement to the building.

Commission discussion centered on process and code enforcement. Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant about why the prior condition was not followed and whether fines or other enforcement steps had been taken. Staff and the planning manager explained code enforcement is progressive and that the city had provided written notice but had not escalated to fines. Staff also said applicants may reapply to have prior conditions modified; the commission must weigh the evidence in the current application.

Action taken: After deliberation the commission voted to adopt the resolution approving design review application 25-0697 with a modification: the commission declined the applicant's request to leave the brick painted and instead conditioned approval on stripping paint from the brick adjacent to the parking garage at the sidewalk (both corners). The commission also removed prior condition 14 (the darker trim color) so the trim color is not required to be darker than the body. A commissioner moved to adopt the resolution with those conditions; the roll call vote recorded Commissioner Goldman, Commissioner Whiting, Commissioner Dubin and Chair Sadler voting yes; Commissioner Kellenberg was absent. The motion passed and the 14-day appeal period to the city council begins with the commission's action.

Implementation and enforcement: Staff advised that code enforcement will continue to work with the applicant on how to implement the brick repaint removal and that removal could require sandblasting or other methods; staff will coordinate timing and the technical approach with the applicant and code enforcement to effectuate the commission's condition.

Context and precedent: Commissioners noted frustration about receiving reapplications after permit conditions were not followed and discussed whether the city should change process or enforcement practices. Staff said applicants retain a right to reapply and that the city requires cost recovery for staff time through application fees. The commission limited its action to the merits of the current application while also directing staff to communicate the outcome to code enforcement.

Votes at a glance: Design Review 25-0697 '1: approved with condition to remove paint from brick; roll call 4-0 (Kellenberg absent).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting - May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Laguna Beach Planning Commission approved a modified design review for the Forest Avenue Mall but required the applicant to strip paint from brick at two ground-floor corners after staff said prior conditions had not been followed.","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},6565176,"Planning commission approves Better Buzz sign permit, allows applicant option on lamp style and optional blade sign",1204,709000,1913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401&start=709&end=1913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401/thumbnail_709000.jpg","/articles/6565176/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-Better-Buzz-sign-permit-allows-applicant-option-on-lamp-style-and-optional-blade-sign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565176-fa17a95dad4b6cc822403796e1d7218a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157671&Signature=B3MYZglVpJdCHXdakXJQW3Wkwe621helezrry4d8jofmXH6zvQca4hOuVOb5Ya0M9FtjQkePWDLFsaDdYOgQRG3vpKGIUjF1PsbiZpcvpK2CB4iCpvcM0xPWh9eRcgk42h8~23JeJQedOG8MJTM5x6n7Qn9h9WZILBhdXp99Nk-PkimVkd7MYPukKkvkR5cqVmCQ5zTdUmmS79tu~CAy68HNYsvLXw1RLQ1hzFyazTNsdDjvrZolDx0oVtxm47E1qJauF6gbiaeR7QQSGqoLaON25UuV719b3pgSXFKJLazTxCf1AQ~E~bwVaym3mWLNr3dQQq-4YYX18SApTr5SVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on a 4-0 roll-call vote approved a sign permit for Better Buzz Coffee at 280 South Coast Highway that authorizes an illuminated canopy sign and a suspended sign under the canopy and allows the applicant to choose between a gooseneck lamp or a straight-armed fixture.

The staff report said the application before the commission proposes \"1 illuminated canopy sign and 1 suspended sign.\" Planning technician Sarah Olsen told commissioners the canopy sign would be 14.5 square feet with a maximum letter height of 17.5 inches and the suspended sign would be about 7 square feet with 4-inch letters, and that both comply with the downtown specific plan and municipal code. Olsen also recommended the commission adopt the resolution approving the sign permit and finding the action exempt from CEQA.

Why this matters: the downtown specific plan caps most wall signs at 15 square feet; an earlier sign submittal had included a larger wall sign and a blade sign and was continued for revision. Commissioners and applicants debated lamp style, pedestrian visibility and whether an additional small blade sign under the canopy would be desirable and administratively approvable.

Architect Anders Lasseter asked the commission to allow the applicant the option to select a straight-arm fixture instead of the gooseneck shown in renderings, saying the difference would be aesthetic and could be decided later by the applicant. \"I'm Anders Lasseter, architect for the project,\" he said. Better Buzz construction director Corey Becker told the commission his team would be open to a small perpendicular blade sign if staff could process it administratively: \"If we did have something, sure. Just apply for a blade sign. It likely could be approved and processed at a staff level. It should qualify for an administrative sign permit.\"

Commission discussion focused on compatibility with the building and pedestrian orientation. Commissioner Whiting summarized his view, saying the signage is \"integrated\" and \"complimentary\" to the building and expressing support for a perpendicular blade sign and the straight-arm light option. The commission also discussed construction and finish: the sign face will be black-painted or powder-coated aluminum and the proposed lighting will be about 2,700 Kelvin.

Formal action: a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution approving sign permit 24-1639 and to allow the applicant the straight-arm/gooseneck option; another commissioner seconded. On roll call, Commissioner Goldman, Commissioner Whiting, Commissioner Dubin and Chair Sadler voted yes; Commissioner Kellenberg was absent. The motion passed, 4-0. The resolution records the commission's approval and a 14-day appeal period to the city council.

The commission noted that blade signs do not count toward the total computable sign area under the municipal sign code, so a small blade sign under the canopy could be added later and processed administratively if the applicant chooses to pursue it. Staff will finalize the resolution language and the applicant may proceed with permits consistent with tonight's action and with the city's building and electrical permit requirements.

Votes at a glance: Sign Permit 24-1639 '1: approved, 4-0 (Kellenberg absent).","The Laguna Beach Planning Commission on a 4-0 roll-call vote approved a sign permit for Better Buzz Coffee at 280 South Coast Highway that authorizes an illuminated canopy sign and a suspended sign and permits the applicant to choose between a gooseneck or straight-arm lamp fixture.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565170,"Commission approves amendment to Aliso Creek Plaza master sign program, grants variance to exceed site cap",3026,2884000,5910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401&start=2884&end=5910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3225949-d5f0d556f20892d8f57925bf2b906401/thumbnail_2884000.jpg","/articles/6565170/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Commission-approves-amendment-to-Aliso-Creek-Plaza-master-sign-program-grants-variance-to-exceed-site-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565170-f2dfac7d6622408655d4f1a394c015dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157671&Signature=fkcsxRewEABNG2huuIKmBOB10Xg8mOkDpI33ATtfy9rKGkVDaykKZ-aFE~vvj2llmVODuNNPBcgy8c-fERpt-I51s3Biiwj8q1~dYx9H9fabQi4mdN8IrmsE8IwjO4QqEN1FkIUt5XtyjWjSjmQZm2Vh~UzmkrU2OEukxVuPoeWsCK-FyOWHyPx8c6MDCTctXoCTEf1LlFtNAhBGkOql7nuE0zouY1guMRoamJ2p5IufgyLRhoPda2jYOx1m02aXesyImw2In8~XOeUB90aEmd1-jwI2Z4Cl18kpwG534MwBLapUPA0PalwTyHUTV6vSEIoJW-OAvKRgp0GeOktEJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laguna Beach's Planning Commission voted to approve an amendment to the Aliso Creek Plaza master sign program and a variance to exceed the city's 150-square-foot site cap on signage, allowing additional signage area suited to the center's larger, multi-parcel configuration.

Staff presentation: Anthony (staff) told the commission the center was developed in the 1980s under county jurisdiction and is comprised of 17 tenant spaces across six parcels with surface and subterranean parking. The existing master sign program dates from February 2002. Staff said the amended program would add signage for tenants not currently authorized and bring certain nonconforming signs into conformance; it also established a tiered wall-sign allowance based on tenant frontage and allowed blade signs, encouraged natural materials (aluminum or high-density foam) and permitted halo or external illumination. Anthony told commissioners the principal issue requiring a variance was the city's overall cap of 150 square feet for a site, which staff found impractical for a center of this scale; staff recommended approval of the sign permit and variance and found the actions exempt from CEQA.

Applicant and landlord comments: Tiffany Delgado of Western Sign, who helped prepare the proposed sign program, said much of the tenant frontage is visible only from inside the center and that tenants need at least the one-to-one square-footage entitlement (one square foot of sign per linear foot of frontage) to make spaces leasable. Luke Johnston, a representative of the landlord, spoke about property operations and confirmed there is an accessible restroom area that will be available for a tenant (Golden Spoon) but is not a public restroom.

Commission comments and action: Commissioners noted the center's atypical scale and that the original rules date to a prior era and jurisdiction. Commissioner Dubin said he could make the variance findings and supported the CEQA finding; Commissioners Whiting and Gopa also supported the program as drafted. A commissioner moved to adopt the resolution approving sign permit 24-2167 and variance 24-2168 and to find the action exempt from CEQA; another commissioner seconded. On roll call the four voting commissioners voted yes; the motion passed. The decision carries a 14-day right of appeal to the city council.

Technical notes: Staff said the program retains a cap computed by one square foot per linear foot of building frontage where feasible but seeks relief from the absolute 150-square-foot site cap for this unusually large, multi-parcel center. Staff also noted the freestanding monument sign up front is existing and proposed to remain. The program would allow landlords to administratively approve tenant signs consistent with the adopted master sign program, including letters taller than eight inches where the program permits that exception.

Votes at a glance: Sign permit 24-2167 and Variance 24-2168: approved; roll-call vote 4-0 (Kellenberg absent).","The Planning Commission approved an amended master sign program and a variance for the Aliso Creek Plaza (Aliso Creek Shopping Center) to allow additional tenant signage beyond the city's 150-square-foot site cap, citing the center's unusually large scale and multi-parcel development pattern","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission conditions approval of Forest Avenue Mall design review: painted brick must be stripped

Planning commission approves Better Buzz sign permit, allows applicant option on lamp style and optional blade sign

Commission approves amendment to Aliso Creek Plaza master sign program, grants variance to exceed site cap