Name of Organization:El Morro Village
Date of Workshop:July 19, 2000
Number of Participants:6
Facilitator:J. Egly

Summary of Assets

The group identified the following community assets during group discussion and on written comment cards.

The Environment

Natural environment

  • Beaches, vistas
  • Aesthetic qualities
  • Topography
  • Hear the waves
  • Park system
  • Hiking trails

Housing / Residential Development

  • Architecture

Downtown / Commercial Development

  • Nice town to wander in
  • Variety of restaurants

Transportation

  • Easy access

The People

Activist citizenry / values / diversity

  • Presbyterian Church and their community support
  • Not a threatening environment
  • Laid back people
  • Community pride
  • Mixed socio-economic
  • People watching
  • Hearing different languages
  • Volunteer opportunities, unique

The Community

Arts and Culture

  • Artistic community

Image and Identity

  • Character
  • Small town fee
  • Friendly and polite
  • Unchanging appearance

Outside Issues

  • Close proximity to other areas

Summary of Challenges

The group identified the following community challenges during group discussion and on written comment cards.

The Environment

Natural environment

  • Isolation
  • Water quality

Housing / Residential Development

  • Affordable housing

Downtown / Commercial Development

  • Limited general shopping
  • Balance tourists/ residents
  • Pressure to “junk” the village

Transportation

  • Traffic, parking
  • Hwy 133 safety
  • People movers
  • Shuttle tourists at El Toro parking lot

The People

Activist citizenry / values / diversity

  • Awareness of neighbors

The Community

Economy

  • E commerce
  • Tax Base

Governance

  • Political disputes without paralysis

Summary of Visions

The group identified the following as major visions for Laguna Beach during group discussion and on written comment cards.

The Environment

Natural environment

  • Wetlands in lieu of waste water

Transportation

  • Accessibility without pollution
  • No single business service dominates, e.g. restaurants

Infrastructure

  • Underground utilities

The Community

Arts and Culture

  • California history center that includes art

Image and Identity

  • Make the crowds transparent
  • Keep everything the same
  • Preserve our assets
  • Historical preservation

Governance

  • El Morro annex, et al

Summary of Opportunities

The group identified the following opportunities during group discussion and on written comment cards.

The Environment

Natural environment

  • Save biking and walking paths along the entire Laguna Beach coastline

The People

Education

  • Better connections to major universities

Seniors

  • Maximize utilization of senior talent

Health

  • Life expectancy greater in Laguna Beach than anywhere else in the US

The Community

Arts and Culture

  • Expand arts community to students of all ages

Image and Identity

  • Outreach beyond borders

Economy

  • Review tax structure
  • Tax methodology
  • Share taxes with neighboring cities and vice versus (joint venture taxes)

Governance

  • El Morro
  • Emerald Bay
  • Irvine Cove