Laguna Beach

Government

City Council: Neil G. Fitzpatrick (mayor), Dan Kenney (mayor pro tem), Martha Collison, Robert F. Gentry, Lida Lenney

City Manager: Kenneth C. Frank

Director of Public Safety: Neil Purcell

Statistics

Population: (1986 est.) 18,714 Area: 5.7 square miles Incorporation: June 29, 1927 Median household income: $34,800 Median home value: $200,000

Racial/ethnic mix: white, 97.1%; Latino, 4.4%; black, 0.5%; other, 2.4%

(Total is more than 100% because racial/ethnic breakdowns overlap)

City Services

City Hall (714) 497-3311 505 Forest Ave. Police (business) (714) 494-1121 505 Forest Ave. Fire (business) (714) 494-1155 505 Forest Ave. Post Office (714) 494-4122 350 Forest Ave. In Emergency, Dial 911

Neighborhood mobility

Household moved in:

Most recent year: 1,387 Last five years: 3,460 6-9 years ago: 1,397 10-14 years ago: 974 15+ years ago: 914

Employment status

Employed persons: 10,420 Unemployed: 486 Not in labor force: 4,456 Per capita income: $14,971

Education

Adults over 25

Years of school completed:

0-11 years: 7.6%

12 years: 18.6%

13-15 years: 29.9%

16+ years: 43.9%

Median years completed: 15.3

Median Age: 34.9 years

Statistics: Donnelley Demographics

FOCUSDrawn to Scenic Beauty

Framed by the San Joaquin Hills and a five-mile shoreline, Laguna Beach is probably the most geographically contained city in the county. More than 70 years ago, its scenic canyons, rocky coves, thick groves and special quality of life began attracting artists--from watercolorists to silent film makers--who formed an art colony in the village. That was before improved roads changed the character of the bucolic coastal town and local art shows became summer extravaganzas. Escalating property values and armies of tourists--an estimated five million a year--have sent some artists packing and roused residents in a fight against unplanned growth. In early 1985, the City Council imposed an urgency ordinance to stop the proliferation of tourist trade stores. Cookie, ice cream and T-shirt shops were sprouting while neighborhood-serving businesses--including the town’s only art supply store--were moving out. The ordinance became a permanent policy and city officials, who oppose three proposed southern Orange County freeways that would invite further encroachment, are mapping out a specific downtown plan in an attempt to control growth and to preserve Laguna’s small-town charm.

Clipboard researched by Rick VanderKnyff, Dan Crump, Nancy Reed, Henry Rivero, Deborrah Wilkinson / Los Angeles Times