Group: Don’t build on beach

A group of local business owners and residents have banded together to oppose the proposed lifeguard headquarters at Main Beach and are drumming up support.

Savemainbeach.org has been created to lobby against the lifeguard headquarters project being considered by the city. The project, as proposed, includes two buildings with a total square footage of 4,430 square feet. The 3,200-square-foot Building A, which also houses the public restrooms, will provide lifeguards with locker and training rooms, showers and storage for emergency equipment and four vehicles. Building B is the operational hub of the project, with space allocated for dispatch, first aid, two offices, report writing and reception areas in the 1,230-square-foot plan.

“We absolutely support our lifeguards — they need a renovated facility, but this is not about lifeguards; this is about what kind of structures are appropriate as to size, mass and scale on our public beaches,” said Cindalee Penney-Hall, savemainbeach.org spokeswoman.

Lifeguards have been seeking a larger Main Beach facility for some years; an initial proposal was shot down as too large, and a second plan considered too small to house the lifeguards. A third iteration of the plan has been approved by a council majority.

Savemainbeach.org is still in the process of organizing, but Tivoli Terrace owner June Neptune has been named president. Karyn Phillippsen, president of the Laguna Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau, is also on the supporters’ list, along with Anne Caenn, president of Village Laguna.

“I became involved because I have been concerned ever since the council approved an amendment that exempted public buildings from the square-foot and height limits in our general plan,” Penney-Hall said.

The group issued a press release Aug. 28 calling for public opposition to the city’s plan, which it claimed is too big and will encroach on views of the beach.

Construction of the lifeguard headquarters and restrooms could result in the city losing the land, according to the press release.

“I think they are referring to when the city floated a bond to fund the purchase of Main Beach for open space and recreational use,” City Manager Ken Frank said. “It’s nonsense.”

Frank said there are numerous examples of structures on beaches, including the county’s approved concession stand on Aliso Beach.

The opposition group contends that the size of the buildings could be reduced if some of the functions in the proposed plan were moved closer to city hall, in facilities such as the new community/senior center on Third Street.

“Why have such an impact on a beautiful beach that is an icon known around the world?” Penney Hall said. “That whole sweeping vista of Main Beach is renowned. I have been to beaches all over the world and none have had a footprint on the sand.”

Management of the neighboring Inn at Laguna has opposed the project because of the impact on views from the hotel — and rightfully so, according to Penney-Hall.

“They stand to lose a significant part of their view shed,” she said. “They are property owners, just like me, and they have the right.”

Inn at Laguna spokesman David Shepherd had not returned phone calls at press time.

The hotel is listed as a member of savemainbeach.org, which was created to inform the public about the project, Penney-hall said.

To date the project has been staked twice, and two on-site meetings were conducted by Assistant City Manager John Pietig. The council has held two hearings and a scoping session for the environmental report conducted by the Planning Commission in October will afford the public the opportunity to learn more and make comments about the project.

Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman and council members Kelly Boyd and Elizabeth Pearson approved the concept in June and appropriated $24,175 for the preparation of amended architectural plans and the documents to be submitted for review by the Planning Commission.

The estimated cost of the project is $3.3 million.

For more information about the opposition group visit savemainbeach.org. For more information about the project, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or [email protected].