THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020
Laguna Beach City Council Approves Coast Inn Historic Restoration and Remodel Project With Modifications
At its regular meeting Tuesday, July 28, the Laguna Beach City Council approved a scaled-back version of the proposed historic restoration and remodeling project of the Coast Inn, located at 1401 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.
Plans for a renovation of the historic Coast Inn, built in 1927, include an exterior and interior renovation of the hotel's existing 24 rooms, addition of a rooftop pool and deck, restoration of the building's three historic turrets, and a new first floor restaurant to be occupied by the Bear Flag Fish Company (formerly the location of the Boom Boom Room.)
The Coast Inn historic restoration and remodel project, as approved by the City Council includes:
- A reduced rooftop deck and pool area (by about third) to 2,500 square feet;
- The rooftop deck and pool area will only be accessible to hotel guests and have a maximum capacity of less than 100 people;
- Reduction in number of proposed rooftop deck umbrellas;
- Developer to pay City a parking-in-lieu fee for three (3) additional parking spaces;
- The proposed "Coast Inn" rooftop signage will be revisited by the Planning Commission and located elsewhere on the building.
The next regular meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, August 11.
Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen Talks Coast Inn Project in Today's Podcast Update
In today's podcast update, Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen discusses Tuesday's City Council vote to approve a reduced Coast Inn historic renovation and remodel project, and where it goes from here.
He also talks about upcoming Caltrans work on Coast Highway at Main Beach, and how the City is preparing to minimize traffic impacts for residents and visitors.
Traffic Impacts Expected on Coast Highway During Upcoming Caltrans Culvert Replacement Project
On Tuesday, a Caltrans representative gave the Laguna Beach City Council an overview of a culvert replacement project under Coast Highway that will reduce traffic on Coast Highway between Ocean and Broadway to two lanes from approximately September 8 - October 20.
The Caltrans Laguna Canyon Culvert project will remove and replace the aging Laguna Canyon Culvert, which is a box culvert located under Coast Highway across from Main Beach Park. The box culvert gathers storm runoff water and disperses it to the ocean.
Caltrans crews will be working 24/7 and overnight to complete the work and replace the culvert as quickly as possible.
There will be 7-10 different occurrences during the project when Coast Highway will need to be closed during the overnight hours only. A detour will be in place during those instances.
Traffic control, signage, updated community messaging and detours will be in place for the duration of construction.
Caltrans representatives told the City Council Tuesday that the work needs to be completed before the rainy season. Due to its condition, a heavy rain event could cause the culvert to collapse, causing a sinkhole in Coast Highway and much more extensive repair, according to Caltrans.
For more information on the Caltrans Culvert Replacement Project call the Caltrans District 12 office at (657) 328-6000.
Laguna Beach Police Department Investigating Homicide
On July 28 at 5:19 a.m., Laguna Beach Public Safety Dispatchers received a 911 call from a concerned resident of the Laguna Lido Condominiums located at 31755 Coast Highway. The caller described hearing glass breaking, which was immediately followed by the sound of gunshots.
Upon entering the residence, officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics responded to the scene for medical aid, but the victim expired prior to their arrival.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Laguna Beach Police Department Major Crimes Investigations Unit at (949) 497-0767 - Detective Drake or (949) 497-0373 - Detective Butterfield.
New Laguna Beach "Mask Advisor" Program Distributed Over 2,400 Free Face Coverings in First Weekend
On Friday, July 24, the City of Laguna Beach began posting “Mask Advisors” on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the City to ensure face covering compliance and will offer free masks to those that aren't wearing them.
During the first weekend of the program, Mask Advisors distributed over 2,400 free face coverings to people who needed them around the City.
Since June 26, the City of Laguna Beach has also distributed approximately 5,000 free face coverings 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 Firefighters Dispatched to Help Fight Fires Around the State
Firefighting crews from Laguna Beach have recently been dispatched to help with wildfires in the region, including the Mineral Fire in Fresno County.
The City's firefighters are part of an OES Strike Team that consists of crews from Laguna Beach, Orange, and Anaheim as well as two Los Angeles County Fire Engines.
After leaving the Mineral Fire in Fresno County, Laguna Beach firefighters were dispatched to help fight the Gold Fire, burning in Lassen County in the northern part of the state.
Our crew is part of a strike team of five engines and one Batallion Chief, and are currently on their way back to Laguna Beach after being deployed for 16 days.
Shop Local, Eat Local and Think Laguna First!
Times are tough and uncertain, but Laguna Beach is STRONG. One way we can support one another right now, is to show up for your community through Thinking Laguna First!
Supporting our local businesses is more important now than ever, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information as possible.
Visit ThinkLagunaFirst.org for information on how you can eat, shop, and support local, as well as the City's COVID Update page, where we share the newest information as it becomes available.
City of Laguna Beach Receives Award for Temporary Sculpture Exhibits at City Hall
The City of Laguna Beach recently received the "Best Of" Award for Temporary Sculpture Exhibits in the July 2020 Edition of Orange Coast Magazine.
"From interactive, stained-glass houses to laser-cut, geometric sculptures lit up at night to provocative hooded figures making a statement about climate change, these outdoor displays are another testament to the artistic spirit of the Coastal beach town." - OCM
Where to Get COVID-19 Testing in Orange County:
Free testing in OC: How to access.
Where to get tested in OC: Find a testing site near you.
OC Testing Sites: Appointment & walk-in resources.
