City Council Talks Artist Housing, Displacement At Tuesday Meeting

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Two Laguna Beach City Councilmembers will start a discussion on rising housing costs and its effects on artists in the community during Tuesday's city council meeting.

Councilmembers Mark Orgill and Alex Rounaghi plan to bring forward the discussion after they were told of a potential for future loss of privately-owned artist units in the community, according to a city staff report.

The loss of privately-owned units will likely result the displacement of a "significant" number of artists.

Orgill and Rounaghi will present a summary on the issue during Tuesday's meeting and discuss the possibility of tasking a member of the City Council with exploring options for artist housing.

"While there are no properties currently listed on the market, the City Council may consider options for the city to pursue in anticipation of future opportunities before the properties can be repurposed," the staff report said.

Laguna Beach Councilmembers will also discuss a possible amendment of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code relating to the regulation of oceanfront development.

To read more about the proposed amendments, visit the city's staff report.

In addition, councilmembers will discuss whether or not to award a contract to Jon Gilmer Construction in the amount of $213,036 for the construction of the Moulton Meadows Dog Play Area Project.

To read more about the proposed contract, visit the city's website.

Councilmembers will also decide whether or not to purchase 45 replacement Self Contained Breathing Apparatus units and related equipment for the Laguna Beach Fire Department. If approved, the city would spend no more than $578,000 on the equipment.

To learn more about the purchase, view the city's staff report.

Laguna Beach City Councilmembers meet Tuesday, April 5 at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue.