READERS RESPOND

I am writing in response to the “Issue of the Week” in the Daily Pilot

regarding the expansion of Newport Center (“Newport Center needs room to

grow,” Oct. 12). We should embrace a responsible expansion plan for

Newport Center that will encourage both business as well as community

needs. As the primary economic engine for Newport Beach, it is only

logical to support an expansion of a center that has consistently enjoyed

economic growth and has supported the community since its inception in

1965. Newport Beach continues to offer its residents, employees and

visitors a quality of life not often achieved. Led by a plethora of

top-quality businesses and cultural opportunities, the 35-year-old center

needs to continually evolve to continue to be economically successful and

a leader in Orange County. Newport Beach must support the jewel of its

business and community crown with responsible expansion.

DOUG STUCKEY

Public Affairs Director

Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce

Lisa Reedy, Executive Director of the Newport Center Assn., presents an

excellent portrayal of the contribution of Newport Center to the fiscal,

cultural and commercial well-being of Newport Beach (“Newport Center

needs room to grow,” Oct. 12). Not surprisingly, the conclusion is

shortsighted.

Newport Beach is more than a collection of Irvine Co. assets and more

than Newport Center. Newport Beach is many parcels of land under diverse

ownership.

Contrary to the admonitions of previous city management, Newport Beach is

not built out as is readily apparent in the growing list of applications

and notifications of intent to redevelop and intensify use of existing

properties all over town.

These major parcels and projects in Newport Beach form a circle around

our city. Our vehicular routes circle the upper and lower bay. There is

no cross-town traffic here.

Congestion on Coast Highway ultimately will isolate west from east as the

commute becomes impossible. Bristol Avenue is beyond contemplation. The

Newport Center Specific Area Plan proposes to expand the landowners’

entitlements beyond the current limits of the outworn citywide land-use

element of the general plan. The plan serves little purpose except to

make sure those landowners get their oar in first. What about the impact

of the rest of the projects around town?

Newport Center will have a major impact on Coast Highway traffic. How do

we assess the compounding impact of the rest of the who-knows-how-many

Coast Highway projects? There is the Dunes Resort with its 500 rooms (up

from 275), Mariners’ Mile’s yet-to-be-determined development, Old Newport

Boulevard’s burgeoning high-rise medical professional development and the

Banning Ranch development with 1,750 residences, 75-room hotel and 70,000

square feet of commercial-retail.

Add to these the impact on Coast Highway of traffic from just a few of

the half-dozen planned and contemplated peninsula resorts at Lido

Village, at Marina park and other locations identified in a recent report

prepared for the city and the Conference and Visitors Bureau.

Does anybody really believe we can develop these areas without

comprehensive, updated land-use and circulation elements to our general

plan? We’re told the city doesn’t have the staff or funds to do the right

job.

Fine, look for a petitioner at your nearest market or post office and

sign up to initiate “green light’s” charter amendment and let the

electorate do the planning on the big projects until the general plan can

be updated.

TOM HYANS

Newport Beach

That’s it, I can’t take it anymore! As past chairman of the

Transportation Committee for the Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce,

I have personally seen how issues can be manipulated by one party or

another. But as a lifelong resident of Newport Beach, I have seen how

pro-growth forces in our city have affected, through increased traffic,

my quality of life here. And it has not been for the better. Our roads

are currently overwhelmed and will become worse as planned development in

Newport Coast takes place. I do not believe it is prudent to make the

traffic situation even worse by adding to it by “growing” Newport Center.

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach

My first reaction to the Issue of the Week column concerning Newport

Center was “whoopee!” Less traffic from South County clogging our streets

and boulevards. Secondly, now if we could only get them to use an airport

of their own. However, my glee was short-lived. The writer was using this

as a ploy for huge expansion and its companion: traffic nightmare.

CLAUDIA OWEN

Newport Beach

Reedy’s article should have been labeled an advertisement/press release

because it was written by a hired hand of those promoting the proposed

Newport Center high-rise projects that will completely abrogate the

current Newport Beach general plan.

How can the Pilot allow this piece to appear as a regular article rather

than as a paid advertisement?

This article is just another example of advance public relations to

convince the public that expansion for the Irvine Co. is necessary at

Fashion Island. Can’t they understand that the traffic that will occur in

order to access these huge office buildings will choke up areas all

around that are vital to residents and working people for their essential

transportation?

There are only two main arteries into this area -- MacArthur Boulevard

and Jamboree Road. Coast Highway already has its own problems in either

direction. I realize MacArthur has somewhat been prepared to accept more

traffic, but this just barely relieves the existing situation. Jamboree,

with all its new developments -- and those on Ford Road, too -- is

drowning in current congestion, especially during rush hour.

The residents of our city must be made aware of the jeopardy posed by

these high-rise developments that abrogate the general plan of the city

of Newport Beach. The residents of Newport should have a voice to

determine whether the general plan should be altered by these

unreasonable massive projects put forward by the big money of this area.

SUZY KVAMMEN

Newport Beach