Editor,
These remarks, lightly edited to submission guideline word length, were made before the Planning Commission on Jan. 8.
The planning commission is tasked with implementing the general plan through actions including the administration of specific plans. We just don’t see how this project in any way matches the goals of our specific plan. This is a violation of our specific plan.
We’ve made it very clear that we want the size and density of this project reduced and have stated specifically that it is too dense and the 30 units should be reduced. No reduction has been proposed after meeting with the developer, and the Planning Commission hasn’t been offered any reduction in the number of units either.
The impacts of doubling the number of residents will be significant to my neighborhood and does not deserve a negative declaration of impacts. In fact, we feel the project should require an EIR.
What impacts? density, congestion, noise, water, air and light pollution, traffic, car crashes, pedestrian accidents, delivery trucks and more.
Ann, when I talked to you about the ordinance you told me the city always leans toward what the neighbors want and don’t worry. Please vote no and honor this statement.
Linda, you claimed due to your involvement within the Arts Foundation you were biased. Please don’t let your bias cloud your decision of what the appropriate size for a development is.
Robert, you’ve voiced concerns about the number of units and density, please remember that when you vote on a 30-unit, multi tenant development in my neighborhood tonight.
Ken, you said 30 units was too many. Please don’t forget that. When you vote tonight.
Norm, thank you for recognizing that this project does not in any way fit the definition or spirit of our specific plan.
The developer has made no concessions on the number of units even though we’ve clearly asked him too. He’s not working with us. Please don’t reward such behavior with anything less than a no vote.
I plead with you to be brave. Be planners. This is not a popularity contest.
Call his bluff. This project can be smaller. He’s playing chicken with us. We’re not blinking. It’s too big. It’s too massive. Vote no!
John Albritton, Laguna Beach
The author is the president of the Laguna Canyon Property Owners Association.
