New geographic mapping system in place

The city of Laguna Beach has just completed a multiyear project to upgrade the city’s Geographical Information System (GIS) with 14 map services and a new interface, city officials with the Community Development Department announced Tuesday.

The improved system allows users to locate specific areas within the city and view aerial photographs of developed and undeveloped properties. The system also provides property information, and addresses and mailing labels for properties within a certain area. It also allows property owners or prospective owners to see what properties are in a floodplain.

A GIS is a computer program that combines map data — such as points, lines and areas — with actual features, such as trees, streams or parcels, along with aerial photography and data, including parcel ownership.

The system uses technology developed by Geocortex of Vancouver, Canada and ESRI, a Redlands-based firm.

The parcel ownership information is updated twice a year, in March and September.

The new GIS system includes:

 Access to the 2008 aerial photos using a new image server;

 Access to new FEMA floodplain study maps;

 Access to 2008 oblique photography powered by Pictometry technology;

 Print templates for maps at 8½ by 11 inches and 11 by 17 inches;

 Automatic generation of mailing labels for selected parcel and buffered areas;

 Automatic generation of a Parcel Information Report for selected parcels;

 Hyperlink to all of the property address scanned images;

 Hyperlink to Google maps;

 Map markup capability; and

 Extensive help system.

The GIS link is gis.lagunabeachcity.net. The system works with Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers but does not work with Safari, according to city officials.

The system link can also be found on the city’s website, www.lagunabeachcity.net. For more information, call (949) 497-0712.