Portland and Laguna Beach advance housing zoning initiatives

The Laguna Beach City Council voted unanimously to release environmental studies linked to its downtown specific plan and to move forward with an update that emphasizes new housing opportunities in the arts district and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Staff are preparing a general plan update that will align with the city’s seventh‑cycle housing element, while a draft environmental impact report for the plan’s second phase has reached an administrative review stage.

In Portland, the City Council approved Resolution No. 37746 directing the City Administrator to produce a report on the Inner Eastside Zoning Project. The report outlines state land‑use law, comprehensive‑plan policies, and a proposed timeline for expanding housing types in the Inner Eastside, along with an analysis of potential tax impacts and outreach opportunities.

Both cities are seeking to increase housing supply and diversity through revised zoning and planning measures.