The Vision Plan seeks to enhance safety, pedestrian access, and public space activation and beatification throughout the City’s downtown corridors.

In October 2023, the State enacted Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413), effective January 1, 2025, which prohibits vehicles from parking within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet when a curb extension is present. 

This statutory change provides an opportunity for the City to reimagine certain portions of the public right-of-way to prioritize pedestrian comfort, safety, and community activity. By redesigning these zones, the City can expand sidewalks, add landscaping, improve visibility, and create new gathering and outdoor dining areas.

The SWA Group has prepared a conceptual plan identifying potential bulb-out and curb extension locations within the Downtown area. These enhancements could serve as long-term replacements for temporary parklets, creating a more cohesive and permanent approach to outdoor dining and public space design. Where feasible, sidewalk extensions could replace on-street dining parklets to maintain ADA accessibility while supporting local businesses. The concepts prepared by SWA will serve as a guide to potential improvement areas. Each location will need to be further studied by an engineer to address drainage, sight vision, and traffic circulation. In addition, all locations within Caltrans's right-of-way will require coordination, approval, and a maintenance agreement from Caltrans.

Draft Downtown Streetscape Vision Plan

Study Session Announcement

Goals of the Downtown Streetscape Vision Plan include:

1.         Enhancing pedestrian accessibility, safety, and crosswalk visibility.

2.         Expanding landscaping and urban greenery.

3.         Creating inviting public gathering and social spaces.

4.         Integrating public art into the downtown streetscape.

5.         Developing permanent solutions for outdoor dining that replace temporary parklets.

Residents are encouraged to share their feedback, questions, and ideas with City staff, contact Project Manager Louie Lacasella in the City Manager’s Office at llacasella@lagunabeachcity.net for more information.