SOUNDING OFF: Vigilance needed on height limits

On Feb. 27 I attended the Planning Commission’s workshop at city hall regarding proposed changes in commercial zone height limits.

A large crowd was there, partly because of interest generated at a recent LANO [Laguna North Neighborhood Assn.] meeting on the same topic.

I was proud of my fellow Lagunans for caring enough about our town’s future to show up, ask questions and state their concerns.

We were told the workshop would be limited to 1 1/2 hours.

A detailed staff report was followed by public comment, and at this point the meeting came alive.

It quickly became apparent that most of those present, perhaps including some commissioners, did not thoroughly understand the amendments, despite [Planning Director] John Montgomery’s attempts to explain them.

It turned out the proposal incorporated heavy input from the Architects’ Guild, working with city staff, and the report’s technical language and ambiguities reflect that partnership.

The public was not invited to participate in the initial process. It should have been.

The main fear voiced at the workshop was that the new rules, if passed, will result in more commercial development along Coast Highway and elsewhere, with increased density, traffic and view obstruction. Neither the Planning Commission nor the Architects’ Guild presented evidence that this will not happen. The consensus of the speakers was that we need to rethink this proposed code amendment within the context of public benefit.

To its credit, the commission voted to delay action pending further clarification, and to hold another public workshop on May 14. Anyone concerned about the future of Laguna should plan to attend.

BETTE ANDERSON lives in Laguna Beach.