LANDSCAPE AND SCENIC HIGHWAYS ELEMENT

UPDATED RESOURCE DOCUMENT CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH

D ESIGN R EVIEW B OARD

J ULY 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 Gregory H. Vail, Selva Partners Robert Borthwick, BGB Design Group Ann Christoph FASLA, Landscape Architect Laguna Beach Community Development Jim Pechous, Assistant Director Evan Jedynak, Associate Planner PRESENTATION

• INTRODUCTION, KEY ISSUES AND NEXT STEPS STAFF • LANDSCAPE SCENIC HIGHWAYS ELEMENT/ RESOURCE DOCUMENT CONSULTANT TEAM Laguna Beach General Plan Land Use

Transportation, Circulation and Landscape Growth Management and Scenic Highways Housing Human Needs

Open Space/ Historic Conservation Preservation

Noise Safety DOCUMENT UPDATE Policy New

LAGUNA BEACH LANDSCAPE GENERALSCENIC PLAN AND SCENIC LSHE HIGHWAYS HIGHWAYS RESOURC ScenicELEMENT Highways E Element(1975) DOCUME NT (1996) Guidelines

Updated 1975 1995 LSHRD

2017 HOW WILL THE LSHE & RESOURCE DOCUMENT BE USED? TOOL TO EVALUATE PROJECTS, CIP, DESIGN REVIEW

POLICY DIRECTION FOR LANDSCAPE ISSUES

GUIDANCE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDSCAPE DECISIONS

IMPLEMENTATION SHORT, MEDIUM, LONG-TERM WHY DO WE NEED A LANDSCAPE & SCENIC HIGHWAYS ELEMENT?

 WORLD TREASURE

 COMMUNITY & CULTURAL IDENTITY

 ECONOMIC WELL-BEING  PROTECT LAGUNA FOR PRESENT & FUTURE GENERATIONS SUSTAINABILITY FIRE SAFETY

SCENIC HIGHWAYS SOIL STABILITY

VIEW EQUITY DESIGN INTEGRATION

WATER CONSERVATIONA guide PLANTfor SELECTION the next 20 years STREETSCAPES NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER

HERITAGE TREES MAINTENANCE UNDECIDED ISSUES PUBLIC WORKS FIRE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS CONCERNS WITH NEW EUCALYPTUS IN THE PARKWAY

 EUCALYPTUS ARE MASSIVE TREES  NOT ADEQUATE SPACE - 8’X 8’ VS 4’X4’ AVAILABLE  EUCALYPTUS -SHALLOW ROOTED DAMAGES SIDEWALKS AND STREETS  PRONE TO SUDDEN BRANCH DROP - SAFETY ISSUE  SILVER GUM FOR DOWNTOWN & COAST HWY TOO LARGE FOR THE SPACE  PRONE TO PEST AND DISEASE  VERY FEW CITIES CONTINUING TO PLANT EUCALYPTUS FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCERNS

 FAVORS LANDSCAPING OVER FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.  Health green trees including Eucalyptus trees are ember catchers [Fire Dept. Disagrees]  The opinions of others referenced in the document that living tree are not a fire danger [Fire Dept. Disagrees]

 GOATS ARE PORTRAYED AS A POTENTIAL ENV. IMPACT.  FIRE SAFETY QUALITIES OF TREES MUST BE TEMPERED WITH IDENTIFYING THE HAZARDS OF TREES. RECOMMENDATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENTS DRB COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS DIRECTION ON PUBLIC WORKS AND FIRE CONCERNS WHAT’S NEXT? • JULY 26. 2017 - PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING • AUGUST TBD - 2ND DRB AND PC MEETINGS • SEPTEMBER 2017 - CITY COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC PROCESS, 2013

 PANEL OF EXPERTS  COMMUNITY COMMENTS  ON-LINE SURVEY Geology

“Old landslides can be reactivated by subsurface water…Avoid introducing water into the slopes by using drought- resistant plants….”

“The are the dominant feature in Laguna Beach.” They are the foundation for the iconic Laguna landscape. Jamie Fink, Geologist Management of Natural Communities

“Here in Laguna Beach we have protected high quality open space lands and we have the challenge and the responsibility to protect these lands so they maintain their biological diversity for future generations.” Trish Smith, Biologist Art and History

“At first glance you might think these are just a bunch of pictures looking into the past. The artists are showing us their hopes and dreams for Laguna’s remarkable landscape.” Eric Jessen Managing Fire Risk “There’s a lot of mythology about eucalyptus and trees in general. If they are properly maintained and you take care of them, they actually protect your home.”

Richard W. Halsey, ecologist and seasonal wildland fire fighter Sustainable Landscapes “We can calculate the costs and benefits of a landscape….With turf grass after 3.56 years of maintenance, costs exceed benefits.

We release carbon into the atmosphere at an alarming rate.”

Bob Perry, Landscape Architecture Professor Urban Design “What is good urban design? Laguna Beach defines good urban design: …distinctive streets, walkable neighborhoods and memorable public spaces.”

Steve Kellenberg, Urban Planner Sr. VP, Community Design Studio-The Irvine Company COMMUNITY COMMENTS & SURVEY

Scenic Highway Landscape

Laguna Canyon Road: “…replacement of the beautiful arch of oak trees that were there before the road was widened…. The Canyon should be like a plein air painting.”

Fire-Safe Landscape

“We should have a transcendent focus on fire safety.” COMMUNITY COMMENTS & SURVEY

Edible Landscape

“We have generational amnesia, forgetting our agricultural heritage. We could have gardens demonstrating food production.”

Managing Serendipity & Complete Streets

“I support preservation, conservation, restoration, but I am also interested in change in the public realm. Streets need to be redesigned ….away from paving toward planting, away from speed and toward safety.” WHAT’S IN THE LSHE?

INTRODUCTION VISION, PURPOSE, HISTORY

PROFILE THE CITY’S LANDSCAPE ENVIRONMENT

GOAL, INTENT AND POLICIES

IMPLEMENTATION SHORT, MEDIUM, LONG-TERM WHAT’S IN THE LSHE? I. INTRODUCTION

VISION

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

ORGANIZATION

PURPOSE

HISTORY

TIME FRAME

GEOGRAPHIC APPLICATION RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS, STATE LAWS, GUIDELINES WHAT’S IN THE LSHE? III. POLICIES, ACTIONS & IMPLEMENTATION TOPIC 1: SUSTAINABILITY (8 SUBJECTS) TOPIC 2: NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER TOPIC 3: VIEW MANAGEMENT TOPIC 4: SCENIC HIGHWAYS TOPIC 5: STREETSCAPE AND PARKS TOPIC 6: HERITAGE TREES & LANDSCAPES TOPIC 7: FIRE SAFETY TOPIC 8: LANDFORM STABILITY 1. Sustainability 1. Water 2. Energy 3. Habitat and Invasive Plants 4. Drainage 5. Plant Materials Selection 6. Lighting, Glare and Heat 7. Agricultural Landscape 8. Maintenance 2. NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER 13 NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPE AREAS 1. DOWNTOWN 6. TEMPLE HILLS 6a. TEMPLE HILLS 2. NORTH LAGUNA 2a. NORTH LAGUNA 6b. RIMROCK 2b. HEISLER 7. BLUEBIRD CANYON 2c. HILLCREST 7a. BLUEBIRD CANYON 2d. CRESCENT BAY 7b. RANCHO LAGUNA 2e. SUNSET RIDGE 8. DIAMOND/CRESTVIEW 2f. SMITHCLIFFS 2g. IRVINE COVE 9. ARCH BEACH HEIGHTS 3. CENTRAL LAGUNA 3a. ARROYO CHICO 10. PORTAFINA 3b. OAK 11. TOP OF THE WORLD 3c. GAVIOTA 11a. TOP OF THE WORLD 3d. WOODS COVE/LOWER BLUEBIRD 11b. OLD TOP OF THE WORLD 4 3e. ROCKLEDGE/LOWER WOODS COVE 3f. UPPER VICTORIA/ALTA VISTA 12. SOUTH LAGUNA 3g. VICTORIA BEACH 12a. DRIFTWOOD / ALISO 4d 12b. LAGUNITA / TREASURE ISLAND 4. 12c. ALISO CANYON 4a. WOODLAND 12d. COAST ROYAL 4b. CANYON ACRES 12e. UPPER VILLAGE 4c. CASTLE ROCK 12f. SOUTH LAGUNA VILLAGE TRACT 849 4d. SUN 12g. THREE ARCH BAY 5. MYSTIC HILLS 13. SYCAMORE HILLS 5a. MANZANITA 4c 5b. MYSTIC HILLS

11a 11b 38 Neighborhoods

4

4b 7b 6 4a 5 7 6a 4 5b 6b 7a 5a 9 3a 8 3b 1 10 2a 3 3d 12c 12e 3f 12e 3c 12a 2c 3e 2b 3g 12d 2e 12b 2 12g 12 12f 2d 2f 2g

Protect landscape character.

Encourage planting, walkways, gardens, pocket parks. 3. View Management

Coordinated with view ordinance

Policies to balance view protection with landscape character 4. Scenic Highways

• Local or state designation • Guidance for regional highway planning • Corridor Protection Program

Laguna Canyon/El Toro Rd + Coast Highway 5. Streetscape + Parks

Comprehensive tree management policies 6. Heritage Trees + Landscapes

More effective preservation policies 7. Fire Safety Vegetation management and defensible space

City guidelines 8. Landform Stability

IT’S ALL ABOUT WATER! Irrigation Drainage Plants WHAT’S IN THE LSHRD? III. POLICIES, ACTIONS & IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2: SCENIC HIGHWAYS CHAPTER 3: NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPES CHAPTER 4: URBAN DESIGN DETAILS CHAPTER 5: PRUNING AND MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES CHAPTER 6: FIRE SAFETY IN RELATION TO THE LANDSCAPE CHAPTER 7: CONCEPTS AND PLANT LIST CHAPTER 8: HERITAGE/CANDIDATE TREE LIST 2. Scenic Highways

Recommended Tree RECOMMENDED 40' O.C. +/-

WALL OR CONTINUATION OF LANDSCAPING (WHERE 25' SCENIC HIGHWAY SETBACK APPLIES)

RECOM MENDE D 5 5' 5' SETBACK ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING 40' O.C. +/- EXISTING PROPOSED R.O.W. R.O.W. 25' SCENIC HIGHWAY SETBACK SECTION

RECOMMENDED TREE ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPE AREA (WHERE 25' SCENIC HIGHWAY SETBACK APPLIES)

PLAN COAST HIGHWAY CONCRETE SIDEWALK

3. Neighborhood Landscapes

13 NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPE AREAS 1. DOWNTOWN 6. TEMPLE HILLS 6a. TEMPLE HILLS 2. NORTH LAGUNA 2a. NORTH LAGUNA 6b. RIMROCK 2b. HEISLER 7. BLUEBIRD CANYON 2c. HILLCREST 7a. BLUEBIRD CANYON 2d. CRESCENT BAY 7b. RANCHO LAGUNA 2e. SUNSET RIDGE 8. DIAMOND/CRESTVIEW 2f. SMITHCLIFFS 2g. IRVINE COVE 9. ARCH BEACH HEIGHTS 3. CENTRAL LAGUNA 3a. ARROYO CHICO 10. PORTAFINA 3b. OAK 11. TOP OF THE WORLD 3c. GAVIOTA 11a. TOP OF THE WORLD 3d. WOODS COVE/LOWER BLUEBIRD 11b. OLD TOP OF THE WORLD 4 3e. ROCKLEDGE/LOWER WOODS COVE 3f. UPPER VICTORIA/ALTA VISTA 12. SOUTH LAGUNA 3g. VICTORIA BEACH 12a. DRIFTWOOD / ALISO 4d 12b. LAGUNITA / TREASURE ISLAND 4. LAGUNA CANYON 12c. ALISO CANYON 4a. WOODLAND 12d. COAST ROYAL 4b. CANYON ACRES 12e. UPPER VILLAGE 4c. CASTLE ROCK 12f. SOUTH LAGUNA VILLAGE TRACT 849 4d. SUN VALLEY 12g. THREE ARCH BAY 5. MYSTIC HILLS 13. SYCAMORE HILLS 5a. MANZANITA 4c 5b. MYSTIC HILLS

11a

11b

4

4b 7b 6 4a 5 7 6a 4 5b 6b 7a 5a 9 3a 8 3b 1 10 2a 3 3d 12c 12e 3f 12e 3c 12a 2c 3e 2b 3g 12d 2e 12b 2 12g 12 12f 2d 2f 2g Historic Forest Avenue Forest Avenue Ocean Avenue Second Street North Laguna Woods Cove Canyon Acres Arch Beach Heights South Laguna 4. Urban Design Details

4. Pruning and Maintenance Guidelines 6. Fire Safety in Relation to Landscape FUEL MODIFICATION 6. Fire Safety in Relation to Landscape (cont.) THE FIREBRAND / EMBER FACTOR

Scripps Ranch Fire

Freeway Complex Fire 1993 CANYON ACRES FIRE Festival of Arts (vicinity)

Arch Beach Heights - fuel modification 7. General Landscape Concept  GENERAL LANDSCAPE CONCEPTS

 PLANT MATERIALS

 INVASIVE PLANTS

8. Heritage and Candidate Heritage Trees List

ANDRES DUANY "THIS IS A PLACE OF EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTER, OF DELICATE AND FRAGILE CHARACTER, BUILT OVER TIME BY VERY UNUSUAL PEOPLE. "I RECOGNIZE AND ADMIRE WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED HERE, AND I KNOW WHAT DESTROYS THIS KIND OF PLACE. THE ROLE [OF PLANNERS] IS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH A PLACE LIKE THIS AND VACCINATE AGAINST IT: PREVENT IT FROM BEING LOST." "THIS PLACE IS VERY FRAGILE AND VERY, VERY SUBJECT TO DESTRUCTION BY THE FORCES OF THE 21 ST CENTURY." [ITS LEGACY IS IN OUR HANDS.]