CITY COUNCIL WRAPUP

The following is from the Laguna Beach City Council meeting of Dec. 2.

Parking citation fines increased

The council approved a proposal to increase parking citation fines as a result of recent legislation increasing the penalty assessment for municipal parking violations and to keep pace with inflation and comparable averages of other communities

The council voted unanimously to approve Councilwoman Toni Iseman’s motion to raise the parking citation fines for parking at red curbs and at posted “No Parking” areas from $36 to $63.

The council approved 4-1 Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Pearson’s motion to raise the parking citation fines from $36 to $40 with the exclusion of red curb and posted “No Parking” violations. Newly seated Councilwoman Verna Rollinger voted no.

WHAT IT MEANS

Parking violation fines at meters and during street sweeping operations will be $4 more. Fines at red zones and areas marked “No Parking” will be $27 more. Parking violations during street sweeping are not considered “No Parking” violations by the Laguna Beach Police Department.

DUI checkpoints

The Council approved submittal to the California Office of Traffic Safety the final project agreement for Driving Under the Influence Checkpoints and the appropriation of $23,251 with a matching increase in estimated grant funds to endorse the use of the funds for checkpoints during the 2008-09 holiday period and another two checkpoints during the Labor Day period in 2009. Approved 5-0

Stage right 4-1

Iseman’s proposal for a requirement for staging plans for the construction of all new houses, all commercial projects and remodels that add more than 15% to the square footage was a tad too restrictive for the council. Additions of less than 50% of the square footage of the original structure, as well as other criteria, don’t require design review.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council directed City Manager Ken Frank to report back with a program for staging plans for new construction and remodels that add 45% or more square feet. Pearson voted no.

Forest Avenue shop approved 5-0

The council approved a retail shop specializing in women’s and girls clothing and accessories in the Landmark Plaza space formerly occupied by White House/Black Market.

The conditional use permit will be reviewed in six months to determine that the conditions imposed by the council and the Planning Commission are not being violated. Local competing stores asked the council to deny the commission’s approval, claiming violations of the permit, which stipulates an inventory of office and professional wear, and duplication of brands.

The council stipulated that the preponderance of the women’s clothing conform to the permit, as approved by the commission. Pearson was concerned that the shop was stocked mostly with “fun wear” and party clothes when she visited it.

WHAT IT MEANS

The permit could be revoked if the conditions requiring “professional attire” to be offered for sale are violated.

Variance appeal denied 4-1

A proposal to demolish an accessory structure and construct a new single-family residence incorporating an existing cottage and garage was approved for a property at 835 Van Dyke Drive.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council sustained the Design Review Board approval of the project, which required a variance. Iseman voted no.

— Barbara Diamond