City to Host Open House Forum On Landscape and Scenic Highways

Submitted by the City of Laguna Beach:

The City of Laguna Beach will host an open house forum to initiate preparation of the General Plan Landscape and Scenic Highways Element on Thursday, October 3rd at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue.

All members of the public are encouraged to attend this educational forum to learn about Laguna Beach’s most compelling landscape issues.  The event spotlights a panel of six local and distinguished landscape professionals: Jamie Fink, Richard Halsey, Eric Jessen, Steven Kellenberg, Robert Perry and Trish Smith.  Panel topics include sustainability, geology, habitat management, fire safety, art history, urban design and more.

“We are seeking to elevate the notion of landscape from the merely decorative to a wider set of forward-looking 21st century considerations,” explained Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson, who serves on the Element subcommittee with Robert Zur Schmiede.  The Element will emphasize ecological and sustainable development principles.

The City has contracted with Selva Partners to prepare the Element.  The Selva team includes former Planning Commissioner Greg Vail, along with landscape architects Bob Borthwick and Ann Christoph.  A community workshop involving public comment and dialogue will be held on Tuesday, October 29th at 7 p.m. also in the Council Chambers.

For more information, please visit our website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/LSHE or contact Belinda Ann Deines, Assistant Planner at bdeines@lagunabeachcity.net, (949) 464-6626.