Design Review Board approves small ADU and parking variance for 341 Holly Street

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on June 11 unanimously approved a coastal development permit and a parking‑variance application for an accessory dwelling unit at 341 Holly Street.

Staff planner Brenda Wisniewski introduced the item and described the proposal as an attached upper‑floor ADU of about 152 square feet, noting that "the ADU itself does require a coastal development permit, and the variance is also required to allow for the single family home… [that] exceeds 1,500 square feet, thereby requiring it to provide 2 parking spaces on‑site." Wisniewski told the board staff found the project compatible with the neighborhood and supported the variance findings.

The applicant said the lot configuration leaves no feasible location for a two‑car garage and that the shortfall to meet the two‑space standard was measured in inches rather than feet. An applicant speaker pointed to the site constraints and asked the board to consider the modest scale of the ADU.

Board member Tom led deliberations and said the addition was "a well integrated addition" that fit the neighborhood; several board members concurred. Tom moved to adopt resolution 2026‑0706 and approve coastal development permit 2026‑0706 and variance 2026‑0708 for 341 Holly Street; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

The board recorded the vote and noted the decision is appealable by any resident within 300 feet of the project within 14 days. The applicant may proceed with final permits consistent with the approved conditions.

The board’s action: approval of the ADU and an associated parking variance, with standard conditions reflected in the adopted resolution.