CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the Sept. 12 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Professional photographer Diane Ealy complained that she is charged the same fee to take family portraits on city beaches as commercial film companies pay. City Manager Ken Frank said he would look into the issue.

COUNCIL/STAFF CHAT

City Clerk Martha Anderson announced that Tuesday is the deadline to file for the open seats on the Housing and Human Services and the Environmental committees. The council will interview applicants and make appointments at the Oct. 3 meeting.

COUNCIL CALENDAR No action

The council couldn’t agree on proposed revisions to the 2007 meeting calendar. Councilwoman Toni Iseman proposed delaying the revisions until the new council is elected. Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman opposed the delay. Mayor Steven Dicterow said he didn’t care because he would not be on the council.

APPEAL DENIED 3-2

An appeal of the Design Review Board approval of a variance for construction at 712 Coast View Drive lost.

Dicterow and council members Kinsman and Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider voted to deny the appeal, subject to an agreement between the applicant and the appellant on landscaping details and the location of a public pathway. If no agreement is reached, Community Development Department Director John Montgomery will make the final decision.

ALLEY ABANDONMENT

A proposal to consider vacating the city’s rights to the alley between the 200 blocks of San Joaquin and Viejo Streets and allowing the alley to revert to the adjoining property owners was tabled.

DIAMOND STREET SIDEWALKS

A proposal by the Public Works Department to install sidewalk improvements, including curb and gutter, steps and railing in the C-1 zone at a residence at 220-240 Diamond Street was continued on a vote of 4 to 1, Iseman voting no.

The motion by Dicterow, seconded by Kinsman, directs the city manager to work with the property owner to reach agreement, with a proposed solution to be brought back to the council on Oct. 17. Iseman will act as liaison with neighbors, most of whom oppose the project, which was unanimously rejected by the Design Review Board.