#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty
Mayor Alex Munnaghi reveals groundbreaking plans for a local water supply that could save Laguna Beach $800,000 a year, alongside ambitious wildfire safety upgrades and a new state-of-the-art fire station.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #LagunaBeachInfrastructure #WaterReliability
Laguna Beach mayor highlights water deal, wildfire preparedness and plans for new fire station
Mayor Alex Munnaghi said negotiations with Newport Beach and Fountain Valley produced a plan for a Fountain Valley well that could supply two-thirds of Laguna Beach's water and save about $800,000 annually; he also recapped wildfire mitigation investments and plans for a modern fire station.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The Laguna Beach Design Review Board has greenlit several residential projects, including historic renovations and new ADUs, while imposing strict conditions to safeguard views and privacy.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CoastalDevelopment #LagunaBeachDesignReview
Design Review Board approves multiple Laguna Beach home projects, sets conditions on several
Laguna Beach’s Design Review Board approved a slate of residential projects Dec. 11, 2025, including historic-home renovations, ADUs, and coastal permits, while attaching conditions to protect views, privacy and public-right-of-way safety. Several items were continued for additional revisions.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Laguna Beach faces a $2.5 million settlement and looming penalties as state housing laws tighten, raising the stakes for future development decisions.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CommunityPlanning #LagunaBeachHousing #HousingAccountability #LegalRisks #CitizenPortal
Laguna Beach city attorney warns housing laws expose city to litigation risk after 2020 settlement
City Attorney Megan Garibaldi told a community interview that Laguna Beach settled a 2020 DRB-related housing lawsuit for $2.5 million and warned a 2026 state penalty regime could add automatic fines for violations of housing laws, increasing the stakes for future permit decisions.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission has approved the reopening of the Seahorse Tavern with strict conditions aimed at minimizing noise and trash, but will it satisfy both the supporters and the neighbors who oppose it?

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #LagunaBeachTavern
Planning commission approves Seahorse Tavern reopening with conditions to limit noise, trash and rear-door access
The commission approved a conditional use permit, coastal development permit and sign permit for the Seahorse Tavern (1796 S. Coast Highway) under new ownership, adding conditions that include limiting live entertainment to the front of the building and ending music 30 minutes before close, restricting rear-door use to ADA/deliveries/emergency with signage, and limiting trash handling to 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; the commission recommended a historic parking reduction to City Council.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Laguna Beach City Council is moving forward with a $500,000 support package for the struggling Laguna Playhouse, ensuring community access while safeguarding existing arts programs!

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CommunitySupport #CulturalFunding #PublicArt #CitizenPortal
Council greenlights staff to pursue Laguna Playhouse assistance, asks for funding plan and safeguards
After public testimony from arts organizations, the council supported staff recommendations to pursue a $500,000 assistance package for the Laguna Playhouse and directed staff to return with lease amendments, community-use terms and funding-source options in January.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Laguna Beach has just unveiled its groundbreaking $109.6 million wastewater master plan, setting the stage for crucial infrastructure upgrades over the next decade!

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #LagunaBeachWastewater #PublicHealth #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal
Laguna Beach adopts first comprehensive wastewater master plan identifying $110 million in capital needs
The council adopted a 2025 wastewater master plan that inventories pipes, manholes and lift stations, prioritizes repairs and recommends $109.6 million in capital work over near-, mid- and long-term horizons; staff will present rate scenarios in spring to fund the program.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Laguna Beach is taking a significant step forward in environmental conservation by launching a CEQA review for the restoration of the Aliso Estuary, prompting a mix of excitement and concerns from the community.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #LagunaBeachEnvironment
Laguna Beach council votes to begin CEQA review for Aliso Estuary restoration
After extended public comment, the council authorized staff to initiate an EIR/SEQUEL and approve a consultant contract to study restoration alternatives for the Aliso Estuary; staff stressed the step is analytical only and does not commit the city to construction.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Laguna Beach is embarking on a two-phase plan to reshape its architectural standards, balancing state housing laws with neighborhood charm—will they succeed in preserving the city's unique character?

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #DesignStandards #ViewEquity
Laguna Beach study session outlines two‑phase plan for objective design standards, with debate over view equity and ministerial pathway
Consultants told the Planning Commission and Design Review Board that Laguna Beach’s mixed architectural character makes a single style book impractical and recommended style groupings plus a constrained Phase 1 ‘box‑in‑a‑box’ ministerial path; commissioners and public pressed staff to objectify protections for view equity, privacy, mass/scale and landscaping while complying with SB 9 requirements.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Supervisor Katrina Foley is gearing up for her re-election with a grassroots strategy that prioritizes local voter engagement and a track record of securing over $300 million for beach projects!

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #LagunaBeachVolunteers #CommunityInvestment
Supervisor Foley outlines door-to-door strategy, fundraising and local accomplishments ahead of June election
Katrina Foley told Fair Game Laguna Beach she plans a grassroots, nonpartisan re-election campaign focused on local issues, emphasizing volunteer organizing, donor outreach under contribution limits and a record of securing beach funding.
citizenportal.ai
November 28, 2025 at 11:16 AM
County investments are crucial for Laguna Beach's public safety and community services, with innovative programs like helipod filling stations and a "library of things" making everyday life better.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #LagunaBeachPublicSafety
Supervisor Foley and Mayor Runagi point to county support for Laguna Beach emergency response, libraries and beach projects
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Runagi described county investments that support Laguna Beach, citing helipod filling stations tied to wildfire response, county-run library programs including a "library of things," and limited discretionary county funds that shape local priorities.
citizenportal.ai
November 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Laguna Beach's local water reliability is about to skyrocket, but can streamlined permitting and bipartisan cooperation tackle the challenges of fire safety and housing mandates?

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #WaterReliability #CitizenPortal #LagunaBeachPublicSafety
Laguna Beach mayor and State Sen. Tony Strickland press for streamlined permitting, more state funding for public safety
Mayor Alex Runagi described a new well that will raise Laguna Beach’s local water reliability to about 66%; State Sen. Tony Strickland backed streamlining fuel-modification permitting through CEQA and pressing for full funding of Prop 36 while warning against one-size-fits-all housing mandates and criticized state spending priorities such as high-speed rail.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:22 AM
State Sen. Tony Strickland warns that Proposition 50 could lead to "predetermined" elections that split communities and undermine local representation across California.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #LagunaBeachCommunity #CommunityOutreach
State Sen. Tony Strickland calls Prop 50 a "predetermined" threat to competitive elections
On Fair Game Laguna, State Sen. Tony Strickland said he campaigned against Prop 50, arguing the redistricting it enables creates "predetermined elections" that split communities and undercut competition; host Tom Johnson and Mayor Alex Runagi agreed local representation could be harmed.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Laguna Beach is set to implement crucial ember-resistant regulations for new constructions and remodels, as city officials approve a pivotal update to the 2025 building code aimed at protecting homes from wildfire threats.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #LagunaBeachFireSafety
Laguna Beach council clears first reading of 2025 building code update tied to 'Zone 0' wildfire rules
Council approved first reading of a 2025 building-code update that folds in State-mandated "Zone 0" ember-resistant requirements for high-fire-hazard areas; staff said new rules take effect Jan. 1 with local amendments final after second reading and outreach planned for retrofit timing and homeowner impacts.
citizenportal.ai
November 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
In a heated debate, Laguna Beach Design Review Board denied a coastal development permit for a controversial hilltop home, citing concerns over landform alteration and visual compatibility with the neighborhood.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #HousingPolicy
Design review chair moves to deny Bluebird Canyon CDP after hours of debate over hilltop massing and landform alteration
Laguna Beach’s Design Review Board spent much of its Nov. 13 session debating a proposed house at 1550 Bluebird Canyon. After extended public comment and legal argument about state housing laws, the chair said she could not make the coastal development permit findings tied to natural landforms and visual compatibility and moved to deny the CDP; the motion and written findings were developed in meeting.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Assemblymember Diane Dixon and Mayor Alex Wenagi reveal how California's environmental regulations could be hindering crucial wildfire safety efforts in coastal areas.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LagunaBeachWildfireMitigation #EnvironmentalReform
Dixon and Laguna Beach mayor say CEQA and Coastal rules affect wildfire mitigation; Dixon plans to press change
Assemblymember Diane Dixon and Mayor Alex Wenagi discussed the limits CEQA and Coastal Commission processes can place on wildfire mitigation and said Dixon will pursue legislation to streamline mitigation work in coastal zones.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A recent legislative audit has sparked critical reforms in drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation facilities, including mandatory death reporting and enhanced oversight to protect patient welfare.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #LagunaBeachRecovery #PatientWelfare
Dixon credits legislative audit for bills tightening reporting and oversight of some drug-and-alcohol facilities
Assemblymember Diane Dixon said a year-and-a-half legislative audit revealed oversight gaps at state agencies and led to a bill, described on-record as AB 1356, that requires reporting of deaths at certain facilities and corrective action; she also outlined follow-up bills on proximity of homes and insurance disclosures.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The Laguna Beach Planning Commission just greenlit a transformative project for the Pacific Edge Hotel, featuring an innovative automated parking structure and a stunning roof garden, but concerns about view impacts linger.

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#LagunaBeachOrangeCounty #CA #CitizenPortal
Planning commission approves wide-ranging amendments for Pacific Edge Hotel, including automated parking
The commission approved amendments to the Pacific Edge Hotel entitlements, clearing the way for a comprehensive remodel that includes an automated parking garage (220 spaces), circulation changes on Sleepy Hollow Lane, changes to previously‑entitled Reef Wing plans and an addendum to a prior IS/MND. The project team removed a rooftop public retail
citizenportal.ai
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM