THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020
City of Laguna Beach Increases Efforts to Urge Use of Face Coverings
To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure compliance with State, County and City directives for the use of face coverings, the City of Laguna Beach is increasing efforts to encourage the use of face coverings throughout the City effective immediately.
Beginning Friday, July 24, the City will deploy “Mask Advisors” on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the City to ensure face covering compliance and will distribute masks to those that aren't wearing them.
Mask Advisors will be present in areas such as: South Laguna, the HIP District, Main Beach, Heisler Park, The Promenade on Forest, and Downtown sidewalks, and Coast Highway crosswalks.
Since June 26, the City of Laguna Beach has distributed over 1,400 free masks to patrons walking through The Promenade on Forest.
A robust educational outreach campaign urging the use of face coverings on electronic message boards posted at the entrances to the City, street signage, through this weekly Community Newsletter and on City social media platforms has been ongoing since April.
The State of California mandates that all members of the public wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when physical distancing of six feet cannot be maintained to others who are not members of their household in both public and private areas.
Laguna Beach City Council Approves Parklet Pilot Program
At its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, the Laguna Beach City Council approved a new pilot program to allow Parklets in the City as part of its Economic Recovery and Business Development Plan.
Parklet Pilot Program
As part of the City's new streamlined Temporary Use Permit Program for businesses, the Parklet Pilot Program will allow businesses and restaurants to apply to use limited on-street parking and City parking lots for Parklets through April 30, 2021.
Parklets will be prohibited on Coast Highway and must also adhere to traffic, ADA and State restaurant safety guidelines. Limited signage will be permitted, and sufficient parking in areas adjacent to Parklets must be maintained for patrons.
Parklets are only allowed for restaurants and businesses that currently operate from a fixed location within the City of Laguna Beach.
City Council Moves Forward With Amendments to Downtown Specific Plan
Tuesday, the City Council also approved a second reading of amendments made to the City's Downtown Specific Plan (DSP), a document that guides the growth, design and development standards of Downtown Laguna Beach.
Downtown Specific Plan amendments include:
- Reduce business requirements for on-site parking to three spaces for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, which will allow for greater flexibility for changing uses within existing buildings.
- Change the Conditional Use Permit process for some businesses, allowing most uses such as retail and service businesses to be approved administratively.
- Restaurants that serve alcohol and bars will still be required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit from the City. This will allow the City to monitor and regulate the number of establishments to ensure that the Downtown does not become saturated with these uses.
Update on Getting Haircuts and Other Personal Care Services Outdoors
New State guidance released this week clarifies what services you can get outdoors.
Hair services are allowed, as are services for skin care, nails, and massage.
Other services which require a hygienic environment (tattooing, electrolysis, piercing) cannot be performed outdoors.
Hear How the City is Ensuring Business Compliance With State Directives
Last week, due to increased COVID-19 transmissions statewide and rising hospitalization numbers, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a list of businesses sectors required to either close again immediately, or move their operations outdoors.
In today's podcast update, Laguna Beach Police Capt. Rachel Johnson discusses how the Police Department is ensuring local businesses comply with State and local directives, and if compliance is not gained, the businesses will be closed.
City Installs New Speed Tables to Slow Drivers on Temple Hills Drive
The City is constructing a number of pedestrian improvements and implementing traffic calming measures on Temple Hills Drive, including extending the existing sidewalk from Dunning Drive to Rim Rock Canyon and installing two speed tables between Thalia Street and Dunning Drive.
Here's what residents are saying on social media about the project this week:
"Speed bumps on Temple Hills. Thrilled. The street is right below my deck. Thank you City. I had no idea these were going in and today they appeared. I’m so grateful to slow down the racers who insist to think this street is a racetrack. Thank you Laguna." - Shirley Endresen
"Well done City - that stretch has always been a speeding issue."- Jeff Greenough
If you need COVID-19 testing, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic, please visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1 (888) 634-1123 to schedule an appointment.
It's Fire Season: Know Your Neighborhood Evacuation Route
It's fire season. As the weather warms and vegetation dries, fire can ignite rapidly.
The City of Laguna Beach is broken down into 22 different Evacuation Management Zones. Each zone has a specific evacuation map which can be found at the link below.
The City recommends you download, print, and become familiar with your evacuation routes!
Reminder to Stay Rattlesnake Aware as Resident Spots Rattlesnake Under House
This week Wesley District resident Sheila Morshead spotted this large rattler under her Laguna Beach home.
Be rattlesnake aware: generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes will likely retreat if given room and not provoked or threatened. Most bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally brushed against by someone walking or climbing.
