Laguna Beach — The Design Review Board continued action on a proposed new single‑family home at 1425 Morningside Drive to its December meeting after neighbors expressed concerns about potential loss of ocean views and the board indicated changes to the building footprint could preserve neighboring sight lines.

Applicant architect Denise Saguarakis presented a two‑story Spanish‑style design the owners said reflects neighborhood scale; staff’s presentation included an analysis showing the proposed livable‑area ratio is consistent with the block average. The set of design revisions submitted during the hearing reduced upper‑level massing and aligned the structure with neighboring ridge lines. The most vocal public comment came from an adjacent neighbor, Brian Jenison, who said the current layout would remove a large portion of his view corridor from his kitchen and family room areas and urged the applicant to reduce the house footprint or seek a variance to retain more of his view.

Board members noted the lot’s topography and the applicant’s stated program create tension between the owner’s development rights and the adjacent property’s view equity. Several board members told the applicant they would prefer either a modest pullback of the house corner near the neighbor’s view line or that the applicant pursue a variance so the design could be reconciled with neighboring string lines. After discussing scheduling and the time needed for a thoughtful response, the board voted to continue the item to the December 11 hearing and set an internal resubmittal deadline of October 22 so staff can circulate revised plans to reviewers and neighbors in advance.

What’s next: The applicant may revise the design (or pursue a variance) and resubmit by October 22 for inclusion on the December 11 agenda. The board chair asked the applicant to consider modest reductions of the corner nearest the neighbor while preserving program where possible; the applicant said their preference was to avoid a redesign and to attempt a landscape-based or minor plan adjustment, but accepted the continuance.

Votes and logistics: The motion to continue was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. The board asked staff to include stakeholder outreach results in the resubmittal packet.