Laguna Beach to consider economic recovery and business development plan in response to coronavirus

As bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists, sporting goods retailers and others reopened Friday in the second phase to reopen California following closures due to the coronavirus, the city of Laguna Beach is considering approval of strategies geared toward the economic recovery and support of local businesses.

The strategies include a business regulatory relief package, which city staff said will be supported by modifications to the business and parking requirements in the comprehensive update to the city’s Downtown Specific Plan.

A working group formed in April with city departments, Chamber of Commerce, Visit Laguna Beach, Festival of Arts and the Sawdust Festival in consultation with Councilwoman Sue Kempf recommended to the City Council in a report for Tuesday’s meeting to proceed with considering components of the update that include business permitting and parking requirements June 16.

Housing, building height and parcel merger components of the Downtown Specific Plan will be addressed separately at a meeting scheduled for Oct. 21.

City staff is also recommending that the City Council consider authorizing a pilot program to close lower Forest Avenue for the summer of 2020 to implement an outdoor dining area as part of the business regulatory relief package to provide a space where residents can eat and interact safely while allowing restaurants the space availability to operate at sustainable levels.

Among other recommendations are hiring a consultant to aid in identification and recruitment of businesses to the downtown area, a parking structure study and development of opportunities for artists and organizations beyond existing programming in addition to providing funding to individual artists through “Fostering Creativity in a Time of Crisis.”

Also included in Tuesday’s recommendations are measures to support businesses as employees return to work by developing and implementing guidelines for the business community in conjunction with both county and state orders.

Funding for implementation will come from a potential grant through the Community Development Block Grant program and the Chamber of Commerce working with the established working group to raise funds if approved.

If the sufficient funding from the grant is not received, city staff recommended utilization of up to $250,000 of previously allocated funding in the Capital Improvement program for the Downtown Action Plan.

Urgency ordinance prohibiting carry of weapons while attending demonstrations

An urgency ordinance extending the prohibition of carrying or possessing of items and articles generally considered as a weapon during demonstrations on public streets is up for approval Tuesday night.

This follows protests against continued closures across the county.

The city previously adopted an ordinance that prohibited the carry of items generally considered a weapon while participating in demonstrations, rallies, protests or other public assemblies on a city beach or park in September 2017.

The urgency ordinance will be amended to include prohibition of these items at other public assemblies on public streets, sidewalks, property and facilities.

“Just as was intended by the original ordinance, the proposed clarification will best [protect] the event participants, non-participating members of the public and public safety personnel as to make these events safer for everyone,” a staff report for Tuesday’s meeting said.

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. and can be viewed through the city’s website at lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/citygov/cityclerk/mam.htm and can be viewed on Cox cable Channel 852.

Residents are encouraged to send comments on agenda items to City Clerk Lisette Chel-Walker at lchel@lagunabeachcity.net. All communications must be received by noon Tuesday.

Residents can also call in at (669) 900-9128 to listen to the meeting and comment during designated periods. While calling, dial 94371581970# and press *9 to comment on an item. Time for remarks may be limited.

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