Resource center ends building bid

Laguna Beach Resource and Relief Center officials have withdrawn their bid to buy a building in Laguna Canyon and have withdrawn the application for a permit to operate it.

Center officials went into escrow, based on city approval of the building’s use as a multipurpose headquarters for services to Laguna’s homeless and needy or victims of disaster — and a $100,000 loan from the city, contingent on an approved conditional use permit. When the approval became problematic, the project was abandoned.

“We don’t know where we are going from here,” said Ed Sauls, center coalition chairman. The coalition currently rents space in an empty building on Laguna Canyon Road.

“Our lease is up at the end of the year, but we have verbal extension,” Sauls said. “We are working closely with Kelly [Councilman Boyd] and anyone else who is interested.”

Boyd initiated the city task force on homeless issues that recommended a multipurpose center operated by a nonprofit organization. The task force recommendation prompted the search for property to buy for a permanent center, which the coalition has never had.

Organized in the wake of the 1993 fire, goods and services for victims were distributed at the Laguna Presbyterian Church and the Laguna Beach Assistance League Chapter House.

“Then it was moved to Boat Canyon,” said coalition member Sande St. John. “Then to Bartlett Center and finally to Kubisak’s,” an antique shop on Laguna Canyon Road.

The coalition thought it had found a permanent home at 2633 Laguna Canyon Road and proposed to buy the 3,300-square-foot building where they could provide mentoring, information on disaster preparedness and recovery assistance for Laguna Beach residents, aid to low income families and the homeless, and pay for it with rentals.

But the proposal stalled when the Planning Commission declined to approve a use permit at the Sept. 24 meeting. Commissioners wanted more information, parking and traffic studies, a design concept and an attempt to appease residential neighbors less than enthusiastic about the proposed project.

The property owner declined to extend the escrow period to accommodate the delay.

“We weren’t surprised by the level of opposition,” Sauls said. “We had been in communication with the neighbors and had met with them, but there were some uncertainties with the CUP. At least one commissioner wanted a professional on-site 24/7.”

Questions also were raised about the authority of the city to allow the proposed use in the area zone M1-A — light industry.

The proposal included six residential rental units, which are not a permitted use in the zone. The units were needed to provide a revenue stream to pay for the building.

“Artist live/work units are permitted and could provide the income, but that is not our mission,” Sauls said. “There was some discouragement, but our sense is that only the city has the authority to zone a proper location and address all the issues. A nonprofit is not the proper sponsor.”

City staff recommended approval of the CUP.

“We consulted closely with Friendship Shelter, and we learned a lot talking [the Rev.] Colin Henderson about their experience,” Sauls said. “We really appreciated their support and the support of the community.”

For more information about center services, call (949) 497-7121.

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