City Votes To Destroy Longstanding 'Blue Cottage' Building For Parking Spaces

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach city officials voted 3-2 Tuesday night to demolish a 1914 bungalow at 363 Third Street, known as the "Blue Cottage," to make room for seven church parking spaces.

The council's vote upheld Laguna Presbyterian Church's request to remove the cottage during Tuesday's regular meeting.

During the meeting, several residents voiced their concerns and asked the council to preserve what they consider an essential part of Laguna Beach's heritage.

Speaking during public comment, Laguna Beach landscape architect Bob Borthwick said that losing another historic cottage would be like "a death by a thousand cuts."

Councilmembers discussed the matter for almost an hour and a half to deliberate whether the Blue Cottage had any formal historic status.

Ultimately, a majority of councilmembers agreed that the city had no legal grounds to deny the church's request.

The motion was passed 3-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Orgill and Councilmember Hallie Jones voting no.