Final Negative Declaration for the Laguna Beach 2021-2029 General Plan Housing Element Update

The City of Laguna Beach is advancing its 2021-2029 General Plan Housing Element Update through a project at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, which involves the demolition of an existing parsonage and surface parking lot to construct a three-story, 30,690 square foot multi-family residential building with 28 affordable rental units and one manager’s unit, alongside a 41-stall parking garage. The development is subject to Ministerial Design Review 2026-1135 and includes additional elements such as landscaping, an elevated deck, retaining walls exceeding five feet in height, and grading outside the building footprint. The project requires the merger of four parcels into two under Tentative Parcel Map 2026-0865, resulting in one parcel designated for the religious institution’s exclusive use under Local Business Professional (LBP) zoning and a second parcel with a split LBP and Residential Medium Density (R-2) designation for the housing development. Because the site lies within the Coastal Zone, Coastal Development Permits 2026-0864 and 2026-0954 are required for this non-exempt development. An environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) culminated in a Final Negative Declaration, confirming that the project will not have a significant environmental impact. The project is classified under NAICS Code 541620 and announced as a forecast with a posted date of July 15, 2026, with the City of Laguna Beach as the procuring entity and no formal solicitation number or contract value specified. Point of contact for the project includes the City’s Senior Planner and an executive from Related Companies, indicating a collaborative effort between municipal staff and private development partners.