Chapter 25.40 — DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN

• (A) The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish a specific plan for the downtown area pursuant to the authority of Article 9 , Chapter 3 of Division 7 of the California Government Code. It is recognized that there is a need for a comprehensive planning program to address the unique issues associated with the community's downtown area and that this need is best served through the establishment of a specific plan for the downtown. The Downtown Specific Plan contains goals and policies, downtown design guidelines, land use districts and development standards all of which form the development regulations for the specific plan area. All other ordinances and sections of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code shall also apply to the downtown specific plan area, unless such standards are inconsistent with the provisions of the specific plan, in which case the specific plan shall apply.

• (B) As market trends and needs change from time to time, it may be beneficial to incentivize or to limit certain uses in the Downtown. Review and changes, if any, to permitting requirements for different land uses may be subject to annual review and approval at noticed public hearings by the Planning Commission and City Council. (The "permitting requirements" referred to herein relate to local entitlements such as Conditional Use Permits, Administrative Use Permits, and Temporary Use Permits and do not relate to or affect coastal development permit requirements which are subject to the provisions of Chapter 25.07 .) As applicable, changes to permitting requirements must continue to adhere to the "Special Findings Required for Certain Uses" section of the Specific Plan due to their potential impact on the character of the Downtown. Changes to these permitting requirements require an LCP amendment.

• (Ord. 1167 § 5, 1989; Ord. 1648 § 4, 2020; Ord. 1667, 2/15/2022)

The specific plan covers the downtown basin of Laguna Beach and is generally framed by the Laguna Canyon Frontage Road. The Pacific Ocean, Legion Street and Cliff Drive, commonly referred to as the Central Business District. The physical boundaries of the downtown specific plan area are delineated on Exhibit A as shown in this chapter. (Ord. 1167 § 5, 1989)

All development regulations for the downtown specific plan area are contained within the text of the Downtown Specific Plan. These regulations include goals and policies, downtown design guidelines, land use districts and development standards.

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(Ord. 1167 § 5, 1989)

Chapter 25.41. O-S OPEN SPACE ZONE

This zone is intended to protect and preserve open space lands which are of notable ecological, scenic, cultural and scientific value so that such land remains a permanent community resource. The open space zone recognizes two land use designations that differ in their allowed intensities of use. The Open Space/Conservation designation is established solely for the purpose of preserving land in its natural state on behalf of the public interest. The Open Space/Passive designation is established to also protect important open space lands while permitting passive recreational use of these areas with trails, viewpoints and other compatible support facilities. (Ord. 1187 § 2(3), 1989)

The following uses are permitted in the open space zone:

• (A) Open Space/Conservation.

  • (1) Local and buffer greenbelts;

  • (2) Natural water recharge, percolation and watershed areas;

  • (3) Wildlife preserves and sanctuaries;

  • (4) Marine preserves and tidepools.

• (B) Open Space/Passive.

  • (1) All uses permitted in open space/conservation;

  • (2) Hiking trails;

  • (3) Historical preserves;

  • (4) Scientific study;

(5) Vista and viewpoints.

• (Ord. 1187 § 2(3), 1989)

The following uses may be permitted subject to the granting of a conditional use permit as provided in Section 25.05.030 :

• (A) Open Space/Conservation.

  • (1) Vista and viewpoints;

  • (2) Scientific study;

  • (3) Hiking trails, provided that they do not interfere with sensitive plant and animal habitats.

• (B) Open Space/Passive.

  • (1) Public buildings and improvements, such as nature centers, interpretive signs and restrooms, related to the use and enjoyment of open space land;

  • (2) Public utility buildings and structures;

• (3) Archaeological and paleontological sites;

• (4) Limited-access roads servicing facilities identified in subsections (1) , (2) and (3) above;

• (5) Peripheral parking;

• (6) Bicycle and equestrian trails;

(7) Informal picnic areas with minimal structures. (Ord. 1187 § 2(3), 1989)

The following uses are prohibited in the open space zone:

• (A) The launching or landing of jet-skis or other similar types of motorized marine vehicles, except as may be determined necessary by the Coast Guard or Laguna Beach marine safety department for the public health and safety;

• (B) Any off-road vehicles and bicycles, including but not limited to motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), four-wheel-drive vehicles and mountain bikes, unless specifically permitted on designated trails or roads;

• (C) All structures, including radio, television or telecommunication antennas and related support structures and equipment, shall be prohibited within areas zoned as Open Space/Conservation.

• (Ord. 1187 § 2(3), 1989; Ord. 1320 § 4, 1996)

The city's open space lands provide a valuable contribution to Laguna Beach's identity that distinguishes it from other communities. In addition, this area contains important biological habitats as well as unique aesthetic resources. Due to the importance and sensitivity of these open space lands, the need for thorough evaluation of all proposed improvements or modifications is critical. Therefore, all such improvements or modifications shall be subject to design review board approval; the design review board shall solicit a recommendation from the open space commission prior to its review. Such proposals shall be consistent with the following design objectives:

• (A) Trails. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails shall be subject to the following criteria:

  • (1) Trail development should be environmentally sensitive to the natural terrain and minimize disruption or degradation of sensitive environmental resources such as unique landforms and biological habitats of high value.

  • (2) Trails should be designed for handicap access wherever possible, provided that it results in minimal disruption to the natural terrain and biotic communities.

• (B) Signage. To ensure minimal visual disruption to open space lands, the design review board may approve, deny or modify a sign proposal based on compliance with the following criteria:

  • (1) Signage should be limited to identification, directional and educational information; such signage should utilize international symbols and display the minimal amount of text necessary.

  • (2) Sign(s) should be strategically located in order to minimize the number of signs necessary and minimize any visual impact.

  • (3) The size and design of the sign should be compatible with the open space environment and should incorporate natural materials and earth tone colors.

• (C) All buildings, structures and improvements, including landscaping, fuel modification plans and related signage proposed in areas zoned Open Space/Passive shall also be subject to the following criteria:

  • (1) Buildings, Structures and Improvements. All buildings, structures and improvements including pipelines and service roads, should incorporate designs in which the scale, mass and height respect the undisturbed character of the area. Designs should follow existing topography, blend in with the natural landscape and otherwise minimize their visual prominence. Natural materials and earthtone colors shall be used.

  • (2) Screening. While a primary goal of the development proposal is to integrate the building design with the surrounding landscape to minimize visual impacts, certain situations may warrant additional screening to achieve this goal. However, any walls, fences or other screens should utilize natural materials and they should be integrated, to the greatest extent possible, with the natural setting of the area.

g. While a primary goal of the development proposal is to integrate the building design with the surrounding landscape to minimize visual impacts, certain situations may warrant additional screening to achieve this goal. However, any walls, fences or other screens should utilize natural materials and they should be integrated, to the greatest extent possible, with the natural setting of the area.

• (3) Landscaping. Landscaping plans should minimize any impact on existing native vegetation, especially those species that are of high biological value. In addition, restorative landscaping should incorporate indigenous plant materials and is also encouraged as a means of mitigating visual impacts associated with the construction of new buildings, structures or other improvements within the zone.

• (4) Building Height. Building height shall be limited to one story, not to exceed fifteen feet as measured from natural grade.

• (5) Natural Environment. Buildings and structures should be unobtrusive and designed to minimize visual impact. and should be constructed only as necessary for purposes of the public health, safety and general welfare. Maintaining open space land in a natural state is the paramount objective when considering any development proposals.

• (Ord. 1187 § 2(3), 1989)

Those publicly owned parcels that were zoned OS/C by Ordinance No. 1342 may be rezoned by the city council, but only to OS/P. Those publicly owned parcels that were zoned OS/P by Ordinance No. 1342 may be rezoned by the city council, but only to OS/C. This section expires December 31, 2028. (Ord. 1342 § 1(B), 1998)