Modification of Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0318 of the Promenade Design Approvals for Tree Replacement
Summary
SCH Number
2026060631
Public Agency
City of Laguna Beach
Document Title
Modification of Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0318 of the Promenade Design Approvals for Tree Replacement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/12/2026
Document Description
Tree replacements resulting from the emergency tree removals on Forest Avenue to allow completion of a previously approved project to convert a temporary pedestrian plaza into a more permanent pedestrian plaza at Lower Forest Avenue. The one tree that failed and nine trees that were removed due to risk of failure will be replaced at a one-to-one ratio.
Contact Information
Name
Anthony Viera
Agency Name
City of Laguna Beach
Job Title
Deputy Director of Community Development
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Anthony Viera
Agency Name
City of Laguna Beach
Job Title
Deputy Director of Community Development
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Laguna Beach
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Forest Avenue between Glenneyre Street and Coast Highway
Zip
92651
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15269(c) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1);
Reasons for Exemption
In March 2026, a mature eucalyptus tree on Lower Forest Avenue failed and fell. Subsequent soil testing found high soluble salt levels that likely contributed to tree decline. Reviews by two independent arborist consultants, Dudek and Monarch Environmental, found that nine (9) nearby eucalyptus trees had similar problems, including poor health, weak or damaged root systems, structural instability, and conditions comparable to the failed tree, and recommended their removal for public safety. Based on these findings, the City of Laguna Beach removed nine trees on April 20, 2026, and later removed a tenth tree on May 2 after pathology testing showed the same root and soil pathogens found in the failed tree. The City then sought emergency waivers from the California Coastal Commission for the removals. Since the approved project had assumed these ten trees would remain, the City determined that full compliance with the original Promenade Design Approvals was no longer feasible. Under its authority, the City approved replacing the removed trees with nine (9) trees of the same species and one California sycamore to best match the original project while addressing the site's challenging soil conditions.This action to modify the Promenade design approvals is part of the Promenade on Forest Project, which proposes the development of a pedestrian promenade within the existing City right-of-way and for which the City determined was statutorily exempt under Senate Bill (SB) 922/Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1). There have been no changes to the project, no changed circumstances, and no new information that could not previously have been known, that would trigger the need for a subsequent CEQA review. In addition, and in the alternative, this action is exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines section 15269(c) as an emergency project because the removal of these trees was necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. The action was further determined to be exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land), which exempts "minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes." Each of the trees that were removed had health issues and posed an imminent risk to public safety and the public and/or nearby structures at risk. Thus, these trees do not meet the criteria of "healthy, mature, scenic trees." None of the exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. There have been no changes to the Project, no changed circumstances, and no new information that could not previously have been known, that would trigger the need for subsequent CEQA review. Thus, this action is statutorily exempt under Senate Bill (SB) 922/Public Resources Code section 21080.25(b)(1), and in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines section 15269(c) as an emergency project or CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4 - minor Alterations to Land).
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Categorically Exempt per Section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
In March 2026, a mature eucalyptus tree on Lower Forest Avenue failed and fell. Subsequent soil testing found high soluble salt levels that likely contributed to tree decline. Reviews by two independent arborist consultants, Dudek and Monarch Environmental, found that nine (9) nearby eucalyptus trees had similar problems, including poor health, weak or damaged root systems, structural instability, and conditions comparable to the failed tree, and recommended their removal for public safety. Based on these findings, the City of Laguna Beach removed nine trees on April 20, 2026, and later removed a tenth tree on May 2 after pathology testing showed the same root and soil pathogens found in the failed tree. The City then sought emergency waivers from the California Coastal Commission for the removals. Since the approved project had assumed these ten trees would remain, the City determined that full compliance with the original Promenade Design Approvals was no longer feasible. Under its authority, the City approved replacing the removed trees with nine (9) trees of the same species and one California sycamore to best match the original project while addressing the site's challenging soil conditions.This action to modify the Promenade design approvals is part of the Promenade on Forest Project, which proposes the development of a pedestrian promenade within the existing City right-of-way and for which the City determined was statutorily exempt under Senate Bill (SB) 922/Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1). There have been no changes to the project, no changed circumstances, and no new information that could not previously have been known, that would trigger the need for a subsequent CEQA review. In addition, and in the alternative, this action is exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines section 15269(c) as an emergency project because the removal of these trees was necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. The action was further determined to be exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land), which exempts "minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes." Each of the trees that were removed had health issues and posed an imminent risk to public safety and the public and/or nearby structures at risk. Thus, these trees do not meet the criteria of "healthy, mature, scenic trees." None of the exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. There have been no changes to the Project, no changed circumstances, and no new information that could not previously have been known, that would trigger the need for subsequent CEQA review. Thus, this action is statutorily exempt under Senate Bill (SB) 922/Public Resources Code section 21080.25(b)(1), and in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines section 15269(c) as an emergency project or CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4 - minor Alterations to Land).
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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