Treasure Island

WHAT: Treasure Island WHAT'S BEHIND IT: Monthly progress reports keep the City Council apprised of glitches in the Treasure Island project, actions by other agencies that pertain to the project, changes requested by the developer in approved plans and administrative approvals of proposals. WHAT NOW: The City Council approved some changes in street names in the Montage Resort and Spa development and got a short history lesson on the arts and crafts movement.

John Selecky In your article "Council takes a step to the right," (Coastline Pilot, Nov. 8) Frank Ricchiazzi is quoted as saying, "When you look at who the taxpayers endorsed and who Village Laguna endorsed, it is obvious who is more in touch with the mainstream voters." It's ironic that the Taxpayers Assn. supported people who supported forgoing about $5 million in tax revenue to the city, which will delay our receiving any financial benefit from Treasure Island for four to five years.

Barbara Diamond A naked lady, two mythical beasts and a five-piece seating arrangement were added on Tuesday to the inventory of sculptures on the Montage Hotel property and Treasure Island Park. The selected works will cost $125,000. The cost of all public art for the project is expected to exceed $700,000. Cheryl Ekstrom's "Parallel Dance," which will be installed on the pathway from the park to the hotel swimming pool, is valued at $34,950.

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Jane Goodall in Laguna for benefit Wednesday Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Festival of Arts Naturalist Jane Goodall and premier wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen will be a part of a benefit for the Cougar Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute. Mangelsen called Wednesday afternoon from Denali National Park and expressed his enthusiasm about the benefit. Mangelsen is a friend of Goodall and the co-founder of the Cougar Fund.

It's about time. It's worth the money to make the City Courtyard safe. It's worth the money to make the Village Entrance attractive. How much money and how much change is up to planners, but it would seem that more than 20 years is ample time to have figured it out. The blame can't be placed on any one person. Council members have come and gone. But there are enough intelligent people in the city who have solved a number of difficult problems that it would seem a logical, efficient plan must be attainable.

Action needed on Canyon Road Another head on collision on Laguna Canyon Road. Can we blame the highway design? Sometimes yes, but usually the fault lies with the driver in the middle of the road. Laguna Canyon Road is a two-lane highway with a third passing lane which alternates between south and northbound traffic. Only a single yellow line separates oncoming traffic. A sign is posted saying "Slower Traffic Keep Right," yet every day you see careless drivers tooling along in the passing line without a care in the world.

Barbara Diamond Treasure Island has had four owners and three name changes since development as a hotel was first proposed. Laguna Beach Resorts LLC announced Friday that a partnership of Montage Hotels & Resorts, The Athens Group and private investors had purchased the 30-acre, oceanfront site from Marriott International Inc. for a reported $190 million. Newly-formed Montage Hotels and Resorts will operate the resort, now to be called Montage at the Laguna Beach Colony.

In a city that loves debates, the Laguna Colony Resort has provided its fair share of outrage. The planned resort where the Treasure Island Motor Home Park once stood was too ritzy and snobby for Laguna's folksy, art-filled community, opponents said. It was also way too big. A referendum three years ago proved how divided the city was over the $150-million project: While 55% supported the plans for a 275-room luxury hotel, 17 homes and 14 condominiums, 45% voted against them.

Barbara Diamond Mayor Wayne Baglin is steamed about a deal cut by the city Tuesday night that would allow the developer of the soon-to-be completed Laguna Colony Resort to get building permits in exchange for capping the city's costs of the park at the controversial project. "I see this as $1.5 million of smoke and mirrors," Baglin said. Despite Baglin's opposition, a council majority voted Tuesday to instruct city staff members to confirm changes in the development agreement proposed in a letter from Athens Group, owners of the 26-acre oceanfront property most folks still call Treasure Island.