Housing should be for workers Village Laguna...

Housing should be for workers

Village Laguna applauds the near completion of 26 affordable

housing units on Glenneyre Street. This project is badly needed and

will help alleviate the scarcity of affordable housing currently

typical of Orange County and other California areas. We note that,

according to published reports, 54% of all Orange County households

are unable to pay the average rent for an apartment.

We do have some concerns regarding the preference criteria for

applicants for the Glenneyre project that were approved at the Sept.

2 City Council meeting.

As originally conceived, this affordable housing project was

intended to benefit primarily the working poor of Laguna. The

criteria suggested by the city staff addressed this objective. These

are: currently employed in Laguna Beach 25 hours per week (2 points);

currently lives in Laguna Beach as of Sept. 2 (2 points); previously

lived in Laguna Beach within last two years and moved due to

unaffordable rents (1 point); and has been displaced by a

city-sponsored project (2 points).

However, at the Sept. 2 meeting the council voted to add two

preference points for seniors 65 or older. The criteria suggested by

city staff did not exclude seniors, but did not give additional

points for age, since we already have several exclusively senior

housing projects and this will be the first project for low-income,

working people. For this reason, we ask that the City Council

reconsider its decision to give additional preference points for

seniors or ask the Housing and Human Affairs Committee to make a

recommendation to the Council regarding the proposed change.

GINGER OSBORNE

President, Village Laguna

Festival board election around the corner

This Festival of Arts board election will be critical for the

future of the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters.

Former Festival of Arts President Scott Moore is encouraging

Festival of Arts members to vote for David Young, Anita Mangels and

Carolyn Reynolds.

Artists and Orange County members should receive their ballots

after the end of September. Even those who are not voting members can

still help by spreading the word and / or making financial

contributions.

The Pageant of the Masters is famous world-wide and is made

possible by a small paid staff along with thousands of hours of time

donated by up to 500 volunteers. That it exists to draw folks to

Laguna Beach and buy art from our artists is a miracle. More than any

other current board member, it is due to the conscientious work and

dedication of David Young. David Young has been a past president and

has served on the Board of the Festival of Arts for something like 50

years.

This slate is interested in protecting and preserving the festival

and pageant and not interested in high risk growth plans.

Young has been faced with being silenced and voted down. We too

will support David Young’s slate, and vote for him, Anita Mangels and

Carolyn Reynolds to save the Festival.

GENE FELDER

Laguna Beach

Time to take action again

They are baaack! Commercial jet airliners are again flying low

over Laguna Beach with greater frequency.

The low flights from John Wayne Airport had diminished a couple of

years ago after our mayor, city manager and local residents met with

FAA officials. At that time the FAA officials personally traveled to

Laguna Beach to stand on a local resident’s deck to witness the

low-flying jet airlines first hand.

John Wayne Noise Abatement office at (949) 252-5115 last week said

that, although they are concerned, when a resident calls there is

nothing effective they can do to get the jets back up to their normal

altitudes. Even so, keeping the lines of communication open could

have good results again.

FRAN HUDZINSKI

Laguna Beach

Flags need community support

As a couple of us ladies in the American Legion Auxiliary assisted

the Legionnaires in putting up United States Flags around Downtown to

honor the Sept. 11 event, we noticed that some of the Legion’s flags

are getting worn out. That is understandable as 75 to 95 of these

flags have been put up every patriotic holiday for many years.

The Legion replaces those that are too bad but it is very costly

for the Post. As we put them up and take them down many people thank

us for doing it and some even blow their horns and wave encouragement

to us.

That is great and we appreciate it, but I was wondering if some of

the citizens would like to contribute to a fund to help retire some

of the older flags. If you are so inclined you can send your donation

to the Laguna Beach American Legion Post 222 at P.O. Box 517, Laguna

Beach, CA. 92652.

Thanks in advance to all those that care whether you can send a

contribution or not.

DIANE CONNELL

President American Legion

Auxiliary, Unit 222

Driftwood doesn’t fit in Laguna

The Driftwood Estates proposal once again comes before Laguna

Beach City Council on Sept. 23. If allowed to become reality, this

development would contribute to the change of character of our little

village of Laguna.

Driftwood Estates will degrade our quality of life. Not only by

creating an aberrant eyesore, which doesn’t fit in with the very

community in which it would become a part. It would also degrade

Laguna by increasing wastewater in the already overtaxed Laguna Beach

Co. Water District, as well as increasing traffic at the poorly

designed Sav-On / Albertson’s and Treasure Island/Montage Resort

intersection.

The project has been chock full of problems since it was first

proposed years ago. In fact, the problems are so numerous, this

letter merely scratches the epidermis, exposing such shocking and

ugly open wounds as: the grading and movement of thousands upon

thousands of cubic yards of dirt -- a veritable geologic nightmare;

ambiguous building envelopes “artfully� designed to confuse current

residents and city staff as to the size and scope of the project; the

destruction of irreplaceable and endangered habitat; water-quality

degradation; negative impact on our quality of life; increase in

traffic compounding already difficult parking and circulation

problems; and impediments to emergency access due to sub-standard

road widths.

Lot Nos. 4 and 5 are radically different than the other lots in

the plan and make our quaint historic beach houses look like backyard

tool sheds. At 60,000 and 58,000 square feet their ridiculous sizes

are more than 15 times the size of many existing lots in the

neighborhood and several times larger than the other lots in the

Driftwood proposal itself. Their size and scale would set a precedent

and could possibly be the turning point for developers to get the

go-ahead to developing mansions in Laguna Beach!

If approved, this project would also take away a large part of the

Laguna’s last open space -- not only a precious view shed, but more

importantly, a home to the federally listed big-leafed Crownbeard --

a species of plant occurring only in Laguna -- and other threatened

native plant and animal species.

The developer would like us to believe that he is doing us all a

favor by “donating� a large portion of the property. This however, is

not the case. Most of the land being “donated� is too steep for

development under current regulations. In addition -- and this is the

most important part, folks -- under the Laguna Beach general plan,

the city is not obligated to allow any more than one residence for

the entire parcel. The developer is “asking� the city to approve a

new subdivision. All the city has to do is say, “No.� The city has

already given enough away with Montage/Treasure Island. Why give in

to this developer too?

Lush green open space and crystal clear waters once surrounded

Laguna Beach. Paragraph two of this letter lists countless reasons

why this project should be abandoned. Let’s hope the Laguna Beach

City Council has the integrity to value future generation rights, as

well those of the voiceless plants and animal inhabitants of this

undeveloped land and votes against the entire project.

Please join all of the “neighbors� of this proposal as they voice

their opposition on Tuesday in the Laguna Beach City Council

Chambers.

KIMBERLY and CLAY LEEDS

Laguna Beach

For more than three years the neighborhood adjacent to the

proposed Driftwood Estates subdivision, along with many other

community members, have united in an effort to minimize or eliminate

the impacts inherent with the development of a project of this size

and scope. This proposed project would be the largest development

since the Montage Resort at Treasure Island.

A special hearing for this project will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday

in City Council Chambers.

Since this project will set precedent for future projects, we

encourage the community to attend and gain a better understanding of

what this development could mean to you and your future here in

Laguna Beach.

This is the only item on the agenda for this special hearing.

PENNY ELIA

Hobo & Aliso Canyons

Neighborhood Assn.

Save Hobo Aliso Ridge Task

Force -- Sierra Club

Laguna Beach

Some lots much worse than others

On Sept. 23, City Council will hold a public hearing dedicated to

the issues involving the Driftwood housing project. This is an

important hearing since it is most likely the last opportunity

residents will have to voice their opinion publicly before the

project’s final approval.

There are many issues related to this project; however, Lot 4

seems to encompass most of these issues and is of greatest concern to

surrounding residents. Lot 4 is the foremost lot on the property. A

home on Lot 4 would not only sport a spectacular view, but would be

prominently visible from the view shed of the local community. A home

on Lot 4 would eliminate any buffer zones between this project and

the neighboring residences.

The precocious nature of this project is emphasized if you stop

for a moment and cognitively make the visual comparison of this

15,000-square-foot home as the backdrop to the existing trailer park,

as it will be when done. There seems to be some fuzzy math as to the

actual sizes of the final home. We know it is somewhere between

10,000 square feet and 27,000 square feet.

And, based on previous building compliance trends, add a default

height and size of no less than 15% of the approved values.

An excellent example of building noncompliance and how it is

coupled with a lack of follow-up or enforcement can be seen right

across the street at the Treasure Island Resort. The resort did some

of the same fuzzy math when they calculated their building heights,

which unsurprisingly ended up exceeding their approved height

limitations. Councilman Wayne Baglin said there should be a “no

tolerance policy� toward these development problems however, we have

yet to see this issue along with several others regarding the

Treasure Island Resort resolved.

The plateau on Lot 4 is an environmentally sensitive area and is

the primary location for the only existing viable populations of the

endangered Crown Beard. To this date there are no plans to salvage

these plants in an attempt to sustain this species. Nor am I aware of

the species being archived in the traditional preservation banks,

usually recommended when there is the potential for the species

extinction.

Nope, the city treatment of this endangered species has been to

place a trailhead in the center as a thriving tuft of this foliage

unbeknownst to the Open Space Committee and/or local residents, which

obviously precluded the ability for public input or comment. The

current plan for these plants is to have the homeowners association

assume responsibility for the care of this endangered species. The

job should not be difficult because by then the lot will have been

bulldozed and a house built on it.

If the above reasons don’t spark your attention, maybe the thought

of exacerbation of the current safety conditions, parking, traffic on

the Coast Highway will. Traffic and circulation of Driftwood’s

construction overlaps the resulting traffic and circulation

associated with the Montage Resort and Spa on Coast Highway. The

Montage plans to commence with the construction of the remaining

custom home lots. Residents do not want to see any further building

in this area until the Montage adequately provides parking for all of

its employees on the Montage grounds.

As we have seen first hand, compliance with projects approved

guidelines and enforcement have not been adequate. These issues are

not going to go away on their own. I encourage residents to attend

the public hearing on Sept. 23. Tell the council to:

1. Cease with any further building in the area until the parking

and traffic issues have been resolved in a manner that is fair to the

employees and satisfactory with the residents.

2. To demonstrate their appreciation for the diversified

environmental gifts we have been graced with, by implementing a

stringent species preservation proposal as part of the contingency

and management practices specified for this project.

3. To leave Lot 4 fallow in order to provide a buffer between the

existing residences, enhance neighborhood compatibility and maintain

a pleasing view shed for our residents and visitors.

4. Designate Lot 4 as a public park and thus maintain the public’s

ability to access our hallmark scenic areas.

JEANETTE POOL

Laguna Beach

While I feel the Councilman Steve Dicterow meetings with the

Driftwood Estates developer and community activists were pursued with

good intention, I strongly question if any progress truly came from

them.

Throughout several months, both sides ostensibly met to remedy the

plan’s many problem areas; however, the current state of the tract

map betrays the fact that few positive results came from the numerous

meetings.

In fact, the negative impacts to the environment and to the

residents and overall character of Laguna Beach have only increased

in the tract’s current incarnation.

Lot 4, which was already a behemoth to begin with, has increased

to more than 60,000 square feet. City ordinances would allow a home

in excess of 25,000 square feet, on a promontory that overlooks and

is visible from a large area of South Laguna. Not only does the Lot 4

promontory feature “very-high value habitat,� but it is also a

beautiful aesthetic asset to our community.

If the City Council approves Lot 4, this great community asset

will be reduced to a gaudy, massive mansion prominently visible from

great distances as it towers over the surrounding village

neighborhood.

Immediately behind Lot 4, Lot 5 has been increased to 58,000

square feet. While not as visible as Lot 4, the size of this lot is

clearly incongruous with the surrounding neighborhood and typical

Laguna Beach lot sizes as a whole. In addition, it abuts highly

sensitive, endangered Crownbeard.

The fact that these lot sizes have only increased during this

alleged “negotiation,� leads me to believe that the developer was

merely putting up the hollow facade of working to create a plan that

is better for Laguna. Lot 4 and Lot 5 are a disgrace to the unique

village character of our community. They belong in that hideous new

Crystal Cove development, but not here in our beloved, quaint

neighborhoods.

A solution? Prohibit building on the aesthetic and environmentally

sensitive Lot 4 promontory. Pull the building envelope for Lot 4 back

near the other lots (where developer Morris Skenderian says the Lot 4

guest house would be). The house could still enjoy whitewater views,

it could still enjoy a large lot, it could still be an incredible

home; however, it would not destroy a priceless open space

promontory, it would not damage critical habitat, it would not

eliminate a valuable public view shed into Aliso Wood Canyon Park and

it would not make the existing neighborhood homes economically

irrelevant.

As for Lot 5, reduce the size, reduce the visibility and eliminate

the destruction of an endangered species. Structure Lots 4 and 5 in

the same vein as the other lots in the Driftwood proposal -- all of

which are around 12,000 square feet (still very large).

I am not arguing to kill the Driftwood proposal, I am simply

arguing for proper planning -- planning that is in accordance with

the rest of Laguna Beach. These points are not radical, they are not

anti-development; they are simply common sense.

Laguna is not a blank palette for vast, pretentious mansions that

harm the environment, dwarf our historic neighborhoods and obstruct

our views of our beloved greenbelt. The residents voiced their

extreme dismay with development of this type after the

18,000-square-foot Mar Vista mansion was approved -- an approval

based largely on the size of the lot. Indeed, regardless of the size

of the Lot 4 and 5 homes, their conspicuous location ensures they

will be visible for miles, in an area where you could once see

greenbelt. Only by significantly reducing the size of the lots and

restricting the Lot 4 home from the promontory can we forgo this

problem.

It is crucial that the City Council stand by the well-being of

Laguna Beach residents in this matter, not the Driftwood Estates

developers. Their decision on Lots 4 and 5, whose vast sizes and bold

visibility are obviously incompatible with Laguna Beach, will be a

telling example of their loyalties.

KEVIN KILLACKEY

Laguna Beach

I am opposed to the inclusion of Lots 4 and 5 in the Driftwood

proposal. Their vast size is clearly incompatible with Laguna’s

village character and their approval would represent a saddening

capitulation to an out-of-town developer without any regard for the

unique essence of our city.

The City Council has been entrusted with protecting the interests

of Laguna Beach residents and I sincerely hope they understand the

immensely negative impact Lots 4 and 5 would have on our community.

BOB MEYERHOF

Laguna Beach

I would like to voice my strong opposition to the inclusion of

Lots 4 and 5 in the Driftwood Estates proposal.

To preserve the integrity and well being of the South Laguna

neighborhoods and their residents, Lots 4 and 5 should be

significantly reduced or stricken from the plan. No structure of any

sort should be allowed on the Lot 4 promontory. This promontory is an

asset to our entire city, as a view shed and as an area of valuable

habitat and it should not be destroyed.

GALE GRANGER

Laguna Beach

Fellow Laguna residents, I know that many of you share my

affection for the quaint village character of our beloved seaside

town. Yet while collective opinion in Laguna is united in its

opposition to the tear-down of our historic cottage neighborhoods,

the quest by developers to mansionize the village continues

relentlessly.

The Driftwood Estates proposal goes before the City Council on

Tuesday. It represents one of the largest subdivisions in decades and

will redefine a historic area of South Laguna forever. I ask you to

please voice your thoughts on this issue, for it will set a precedent

for Laguna Beach to be followed for years to come.

The proposal presents a swath of significant problems, including

massive grading and exportation, unresolved building envelopes, the

destruction of valuable habitat, water quality degradation and the

creation of 11 large estates within a neighborhood whose homes often

do not exceed 2,000 square feet.

Among these many important issues, one of the most disturbing is

the presence of two lots, Lot 4 and Lot 5, whose massive sizes and

inevitable mansions present immense problems to the neighborhood and

to our community as a whole.

Lots 4 and 5 are radically different from the other lots in the

plan. Their massive size, at 60,000 square feet and 58,000 square

feet respectively, is more than 15 times the size of many existing

lots in the neighborhood and several times larger than the other lots

in the Driftwood proposal itself. These enormous lot sizes will

undoubtedly feature enormous homes. Indeed, as the City Council noted

in its tragic decision on the 18,000-square-foot Mar Vista home,

mansionization guidelines will be tossed out the window for large

lots.

In addition to their vast size, the conspicuous visibility of Lots

4 and 5 is a serious threat to the aesthetic value of South Laguna,

and the Laguna village as a whole. The Lot 4 estate rambles out onto

a highly prominent bluff, which currently acts as a greenbelt view

shed into Aliso Wood Canyon. The giant mansion planned for this

property would tower, by virtue of its promontory location, over the

quaint South Laguna village. Lot 5, immediately behind Lot 4, is not

much less visible.

Also troubling is that both lots are situated on areas of

tremendous ecological sensitivity. The Lot 4 mansion would be built

on a promontory featuring “very high value habitat� -- the most

valuable and sensitive designation habitat can receive in Laguna

Beach. The Lot 5 mansion would be built on endangered Crownbeard

habitat, a species unique to South Laguna.

There are economic considerations as well. The Lot 4 and 5 estates

will feature mansions worth several million dollars -- how are the

surrounding cottages in the neighborhood to remain viable?

Inevitably, they will be torn down in favor of newer, larger homes,

thus eliminating yet another historic village neighborhood. Those

homeowners who cannot afford extensive remodeling will see the value

of their property seriously diminished.

There is an upside to the Driftwood proposal, the donation of a

large area of open space to be permanently protected. However, while

we are indeed aware of the benefit of this element of the plan, it

does not surmount the fact that Lots 4 and 5 are egregiously

incompatible with our community. The surrounding lots in the

Driftwood plan are all about 11,000 square feet. Large, indeed,

especially in relation to the existing home lots in the neighborhood,

but perhaps acceptable considering the donation of open space and

their relative lack of visibility from certain areas of South Laguna.

But, Lots 4 and 5 are wholly different animals and they must be

reduced or eliminated. Without question, Lot 4 should have

restrictions preventing any structure on the highly sensitive and

visible promontory. The overall protection of valuable habitat is

compromised by the subdivision as a whole.

Our City Council has little or no experience with the planning of

what amounts to a large, new residential development. Your presence

and input at the Sept. 23 City Council hearing can help to prevent

what threatens to be the cause of irreversible damage to our

cherished community.

JEANIE BERNSTEIN

Laguna Beach

Lots 4 and 5 strike at the very heart of the mansionization

guidelines adopted enthusiastically by Laguna residents.

We stood up firmly and loudly against this type of development and

I am frankly shocked that these lots are even still a part of the

Driftwood proposal. Their inclusion is an insult to the Vision

process and to the innumerable people who have tirelessly worked to

make this town the village gem that it is.

Lots 4 and 5 fly in the face of environmental health, neighborhood

compatibility, geological safety and greenbelt view sheds. The

approval of these giant lots would be a tragic blow to our community

and I urge all residents to oppose them.

WILLA GUPTA

Laguna Beach

A little clarification about Rasner

For the record and the readers:

In Anne Johnson’s letter to the editor in Sept. 12 Coastline Pilot

(“Rasner is a friend of the festival�) she wrote:

“During all of this, found time to support his family and turn out

some fine paintings....�

Bruce Rasner is a photographer, not a painter.

ANNE ENGLAND

Laguna Beach

The Coastline Pilot is eager to run your letters. If your letter

does not appear, it may be because of space restrictions, and the

letter will likely appear next week. If you would like to submit a

letter, write to us at P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652; fax us

at 494-8979; or send e-mail to [email protected]. Please

give your name and include your hometown and phone number, for

verification purposes only.