Hotel Laguna – Community Gem

Needless to say, Laguna’s historic landmark gem the Hotel Laguna has been the center of attention locally, regionally and nationally. Sadly, not all good news. The hotel is the subject of illegal construction, unsupervised permit work by city staff resulting in five stop work orders, an investor group take-over involving the police and armed security guards and the decision to shut down the hotel by former Laguna Beach City Manager, Shohreh Dupuis. City documents and local media coverage (below) offers some insight into the ownerships and legal issues surrounding the hotel as well as the City decisions to shut down the Hotel Laguna and the 14 West Hotel in Laguna Beach.

Documents include Mohammad (Mo) Honarker/Laguna Beach Company. inc. and the MOM Group currently operating and managing the Hotel Laguna per a court approval and several other properties formerly operated and managed by Mo Honarker. Here’s one legal court document on the dispute. https://issuu.com/savelaguna/docs/30-2023-01323759-cu-or-njc. Word has it that additional court documents may be available in the first quarter of 2024. Stay tuned!

Here’s an interesting guest letter to the Indy Editor from the MOM Group explaining their position. https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/the-emperor-has-no-clothes/

In case you missed the news, here’s some local coverage by the LB Indy.

Letter: Hotel Laguna Investor Group To Host Town Hall Meeting

Civil Disputes at Hotel Laguna and 14 West Prompt Forced Closure by City 

Hotel Laguna and 14 West Reopen After Court Issues Honarkar Temporary Restraining Order 

Who Owns Hotel Laguna?

Laguna Beach News | April 7, 2023

https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/laguna-beachnews-may-5-2023/

Coastal Commission widens scope of Hotel Laguna beach club probe

Coastal Commission probes “members only” signs on the sand at Hotel Laguna

On a brighter note, hotel managers MOM are hosting and featuring local artists at their ARTSTART event in the Rose Garden at 5:00 p.m. during Laguna’s First Thursday Artswalk. Drop by for a glass of wine and tasty appetizers. https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/hotel-laguna-launches-art-start-for-art-walk/

Fire Mitigation Plan

CLB adopted a Fire Mitigation Plan in 2019. The plan includes fire safety measures, emergency preparedness and city evacuation information.

Fire Safety Report 2019 –
https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/home/showpublisheddocument/10278/637762039613770000

BE PREPARED! Here’s what you can do.

While the City works tirelessly to prepare for emergencies, we rely on residents, businesses, and visitors to be ready no matter what happens. Whether flood, fire, earthquake, or tsunami, these resources can help.

Sign up for emergency alerts. Alert and Warning System
Check out our disaster preparedness guide.
Purchase an emergency backpack or create an emergency kit and family emergency plan
Know what hazards we face in Laguna Beach and how to prepare for each one. Prepare for an Emergency
Plan now for an evacuation. Evacuation Routes
Family, friends, and neighbors with disabilities, access, or functional needs may need a little extra help preparing for an emergency. This link from FEMA can help. FEMA Ready.gov
Join the Laguna Beach Community Emergency Response Team. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Review your insurance coverage. Go to OC Public Works and Floodsmart National Flood Insurance Program for more information.
ACT RESPONSIBLY! Property Owners and Real Estate Professionals should be aware and comply with the CLB Defensible Space Ordinance. See: https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/government/departments/fire/fire-prevention/wildfire-mitigation-vegetation-management/defensible-space

City Resources:

Department of Emergency Services
https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/live-here/emergency-management/plans-policies-reports

Fire Mitigation – Vegetation Management
https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/government/departments/fire/fire-prevention/wildfire-mitigation-vegetation-management

CLB Fire Chief Niko King.
https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/laguna-beach-pins-badge-on-new-fire-chief/

The PATCH: https://patch.com/california/lagunabeach/new-defensible-space-requirements-laguna-beach-homes