Who is Impacted?

• The city is using the SB4 loop hole to fast track one of the largest developments in Laguna Beach history.  It is planned to be a 72-unit affordable housing project at 340 St Ann's Dr, on the property of Neighborhood Congregational Church, directly impacts the residents of Laguna Beach. It affects the entire community by altering the neighborhood's character and exacerbating existing issues such as traffic congestion and parking shortages. Additionally, it poses challenges to local services and potentially disrupts the spiritual and communal experience of parishioners at the Neighborhood Congregational Church.

How can you help?

• Sign the petition, be present at all upcoming city meetings in this development and donate to our GoFundMe campaign.

What is at Stake?

• The essence and charm of Laguna Beach are at stake with the implementation of this housing project. The introduction of a large housing complex threatens to diminish property values, undermine the appeal of our community, and erode the unique character that residents and visitors cherish. Furthermore, it could lead to increased traffic congestion, parking difficulties, and strain on local resources, thereby compromising the quality of life for current residents.

Why is Now the Time to Act?

• Immediate action is imperative to prevent irreversible damage to our community. With the proposed development looming, there is an urgent need to voice our opposition and rally for alternative solutions that uphold the integrity of Laguna Beach. By taking a stand now, we can influence city council decisions and ensure that the interests and well-being of residents are prioritized. Delaying action only heightens the risk of irreversible consequences, making it essential to act decisively and swiftly.

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Laguna Beach, hereby express our strong opposition to the proposed development of a 72-unit affordable housing project at 340 St Ann's Dr, adjacent to the Neighborhood Congregational Church. We support a development smaller in size and scope.

We urge the city council to reconsider this ill-conceived plan for the following reasons:

• Impact on Community Character: Laguna Beach is renowned for its unique charm and character, which is largely attributed to its distinct architectural landscape. Introducing a massive housing complex in this area would disrupt the harmonious aesthetics of the neighborhood, leading to a decline in property values and undermining the appeal of our community to residents and visitors alike.
• Safety Issues: This development will directly impact the safety of the local community. This neighborhood is heavily trafficked by local high school youths (850 of them) and this development represents a safety concern for these children. A construction project of this magnitude will equate to 100-200 heavy trucks per day in the neighborhood. 75% of the 850 kids going to Laguna Beach High School travel to the PCH each day.
• Montessori School:  This development will directly impact the long standing community Montessori school which just celebrated it's 50th anniversary.  The school will be closed permanently due to the impact of this development. Thousands of our community members have gone through this program and currently 75 local families and children will be impacted by this closure.
• Traffic and Parking Concerns: The proposed development lacks adequate provisions for parking, which will exacerbate the existing traffic congestion issues in the vicinity of St Ann's Dr. With 72 additional units, comprised of studios, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments with the possibility of over 200 new residents, there will be a surge in vehicular activity, further burdening the already strained infrastructure and making it increasingly challenging for residents to find parking spaces in the area.
• Burden on Local Services: The influx of residents from the massive housing project will inevitably strain our local resources, including schools, healthcare facilities, and emergency services. This could lead to longer response times for emergency situations and overcrowded classrooms, compromising the quality of life for existing residents.
• Negative Impact on Church Community: The proximity of the proposed development to the Neighborhood Congregational Church raises concerns about its potential impact on the church community. Noise disturbances, increased foot traffic, and other disruptions associated with the construction and operation of the housing project could detract from the spiritual and communal experience of parishioners.

In light of these concerns, we respectfully urge the city council to reconsider the proposed development and explore alternative solutions and or alternative locations (spread out throughout Laguna Beach smaller in size and scope) that prioritize the preservation of our community's character and well-being. 

See Images below for what is being proposed on this site: