City advances 2025 key initiatives, addresses wildfire prevention, community planning and downtown sustainability as priorities

The Laguna Beach City Council outlined five key initiatives for the new year, reaffirming decisions made at the Jan. 31 Strategic Planning Meeting. The council focused on wildfire prevention and preparedness, economic development and the sustainability of downtown, environmental, cultural and recreational stewardship, community development and planning improvements complying with new state laws and city fiscal sustainability, balancing immediate action with long-term planning.

With growing concerns over wildfire risks, the council emphasized the need for mitigation measures. Staff aims to refine their approach with a subcommittee holding discussions slated for May 6. Changes to the parking ordinance on red flag days were also on the table to improve emergency response efficiency. Additionally, discussions highlighted the need for a comprehensive update to wildfire prevention regulations, including community outreach and new funding opportunities earmarked for fire safety improvements.

City council also underscored the need for stronger economic development policies, particularly in the downtown area. Early actions for the Downtown Action Plan, a set of infrastructure improvements to the downtown area, were also among the city’s 2025 initiatives, prioritizing green space and existing trees. Council members also discussed revising parking codes to incentivize business growth outside of downtown. Council staff are working with an Ad Hoc committee in a Comprehensive Zoning Code Update to identify local code changes, state mandates and outdated sections that need to be removed.

“We are trusting you with our tax dollars,” said Merrill Anderson, Laguna Beach resident and vice president of Village Laguna. “Please focus on safety as our top priority and when lower priority items are discussed, please give us the price tag so that residents can understand the cost and benefits of each item.”

Council members also discussed projects that could bring revenue to enhance the city’s economic landscape.

The city reiterated its commitment to leasing and renovating the Laguna Beach Unified School District’s community pool, which includes expanding the pool to 45 meters and ensuring that youth swim lessons, lap swimming and adult water exercise programs continue.

“We’re not studying a separate pool at this point, but we could have a vision of a pool in the future and make sure that we’re not doing designs that preclude that,” said Mayor Alex Rounaghi.

However, some residents expressed concerns about the city’s handling of the aquatic facilities.

“While we respect and understand the council’s decision to reverse the unanimous decision from last year regarding the pool, we do disagree with completely abandoning (the pursuit) of a community pool,” said Gary Case, a Laguna Beach resident. “The demand and need are still there, which changes the financial options you have in front of you.”

City council also revisited zoning code updates and procedural streamlining to make development processes more efficient. The council expressed interest in broader design review changes and preferred more comprehensive recommendations rather than filtered suggestions from staff. In addition, they also want to move forward with specific zoning code adjustments ahead of the Comprehensive Zoning Code timeline.

“There are a couple of smaller (business) applications I’m aware of…that I think we could steward through the system to keep them incentivized so we don’t lose them,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mark Orgill.

One resident raised concerns about recent discussions surrounding homelessness policies.

“I took it that (the police chief) was recommending phasing out the Friendship Shelter and the homeless facility in the canyon,” said resident Ann Christoph. “I think it would be a shock to the community to think that all of that would be discontinued.”

New revenue streams were also up for discussion, specifically on cost recovery and optimizing city resources through fee structures for complex applications and commercial developments. Additionally, operational efficiency improvement efforts, such as more business-friendly permitting and inspection processes while maintaining compliance with state laws, were recognized to balance efficiency and fairness.

Council voted to put these initiatives in motion with the hope to balance immediate policy actions with strategic long-term planning to maintain the city’s resilience, economic vibrance and environmental responsibility. More discussions and refinements are expected in the coming months.

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