Hillside

The city celebrated the community spirit that was the foundation for the massive Bluebird Canyon restoration and the reconstruction of Flamingo Road and utilities Saturday. About 250 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the rebuilt Flamingo Road. The enthusiastic throng included city officials, representatives of state and federal officials; folks who donated time, money and goods to the landslide victims; voters who approved a half-cent sales tax increase to help finance the restoration; workers, planners and overseers of the project; and the slide victims.

A new hilltop road to facilitate the development of four homes in South Laguna has been recommended unanimously by the Laguna Beach Planning Commission. The recommended access road off Ceanothus Drive is considered a better way to go than an original proposal for driveways off the beleaguered, winding roadway, commissioners agreed. It also means that instead of five homes, only four will be built. “No one was happy, but the closest neighbors thought it was a better solution,” Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson said of the March 12 vote.

Skateboarders may have won a significant victory Sept. 23. The Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee eliminated from a proposed ordinance a ban on skateboarding on steep hillside streets such as Park Avenue. The committee's recommendations will be reviewed by the city attorney and the Police Department before going to the City Council for a final decision. The council is tentatively scheduled to decide on the issue Nov. 16, said Jim Beres, civilian supervisor for the Police Department.

The historic Laguna “L” has been given a new lease on life. Derek Ostensen, a 26-year resident, took a Saturday afternoon to restore the site. The “L,” located on one of the city’s most prominent hillsides, has been in existence since the 1930s. Originally made of painted rocks, the “L” is now fashioned out of white vinyl pads. Recently, the “L” had suffered from serious vandalism and graffiti. In response, a number of community members, including some who remembered the icon from long ago, called for it to be restored.

A major excavation project on Ceanothus Drive in South Laguna is raising a ruckus ? on the ground and among its neighbors. The four-home project by Laguna Crestview Properties at 31422, 31452, 31460 and 31462 Ceanothus requires the removal of part of a large hill. Excavation began last week, but after several days of digging and moving soil, the contractors hit hard rock. On Wednesday, a ripper ? a huge rock-breaking machine ? shattered the rock and the ears of neighbors for hours.

Tuesday, Oct. 23 -- Laguna Beach police and firefighters will stay vigilant during the Red Flag alert expected to continue through 6 p.m. Wednesday, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said. Members of the Greater Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council and police volunteers are watching closely for any signs of fire in tinder-dry Laguna Canyon and other wildlands. "Volunteers are working around the clock in the canyons and hillsides," Kravetz said. The Red Flag conditions could continue to Thursday.

The owner of property on Ceanothus Drive in South Laguna will have at least two more years to extend a road and meet other conditions set by the city on his project. Approval of the time extension by the City Council on Tuesday came after the verification of property owner Coast Royale LLC's offer of an easement that would allow the city to move ahead on the construction of a turn-around and parking area improvements on Ceanothus. "We are just extending what we already agreed to, with the pot sweetened a little," Councilwoman Jane Egly said.

Pros and cons of the social host ordinance aimed at curbing teenage drinking in private homes was debated Tuesday in a packed City Council chamber. The council voted unanimously to direct staff to draft an ordinance after listening to remarks from 17 speakers, 13 of them in favor of the proposed ordinance requested by the Laguna Beach Community Coalition. Speakers included students, parents, school district officials and medical professionals. "A growing number of cities and counties have adopted social host accountability ordinances," Bill Landsdal said at the meeting.

In regard to the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot article "Council shuts down plan appeal," of Thursday, I have these comments. The hillside development process of single-family residences is very familiar to me as I have been involved both in government and in private practice as a geotechnical consultant for more that 30 years. I have no problem assessing the suitability, feasibility, safety and the compatibility of hillside residential developments as a professional, hillside property owner and as a homeowner advocate.