NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

-- Noaki Schwartz

* ISSUE: Change to design requirements of the Balboa Theater lease.

* ACTION: 7-0

* SUMMARY: The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation submitted a

conceptual plan for approval by the Committee to Promote Revitalization

of Our Peninsula.

Approval was contingent on the exterior and interior following the

government’s guidelines for the rehabilitation of historic buildings.

While the proposed exterior design met the historic requirements, the

interior fell short. The design for the interior proposed removing the

balcony and installing modern “raked” seating, which would improve the

view of the stage.

The committee finally decided it was more important for the exterior to

be more historically accurate than the interior and approved the modern

seating.

* ISSUE: Continue the funding of the Crime Prevention Program.

* ACTION: 7-0

* SUMMARY: Since 1996, the Police Department has received block grant

funds from the U.S. Department of Justice. The first grant was used to

establish a crime prevention program and to hire a civilian crime

prevention specialist.

The program is considered a success by the Police Department and has also

been well received by the community, said Police Chief Bob McDonell.

This year’s award is $61,102.

* ISSUE: Extend the option agreement for the Balboa Bay Club.

* ACTION: 7-0

* SUMMARY: On June 24, 1996, the City Council approved the Balboa Bay

Club lease agreements. The club was then given a timeline to submit the

development plans and start expansion construction by June 30, 2001.

During the intervening time when the original concept plan was approved

by the city and when it was resubmitted, some parts of the project were

redesigned by a new architectural firm. In working with the new

architect, important discrepancies in the floor area were discovered in

the plans.

Because of the miscalculation of floor area, other parts of the design

also need to be increased. This will take more time, and as a result, the

club asked for a one-year extension, to June 30, 2002.