Planning Commission not expected to vote on Dunes

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Dunes resort project has turned into an iceberg for

the Planning Commission and it could be another month before there is a

vote on the mammoth proposal.

“I think we’re looking at the first meeting in April, assuming that we’re

completely satisfied with everything,” said Planning Commission Chairman

Ed Selich.

The delay could throw a wrench into the plans. Dunes proponents were

hoping to get Planning Commission approval and then next month take it to

the City Council.

With a slow-growth measure pending for the fall ballot, the Dunes

proposal risks becoming the main political target of Greenlight -- the

group of community activists who drafted the initiative.

Although the commission will probably not make any decisions tonight, it

will continue discussing the project.

The $100-million project that was recently scaled down proposes 370 rooms

and 75 time-share units. In addition, there will be 46,000 square feet of

conference space, swimming pools, a health spa and restaurants. Recent

estimates have determined the project could bring in as much as $1.6

million in annual revenues to the city.

Commissioners said the main reason this project is taking longer than

most is its size and proposed location, next to the ecologically

sensitive Newport Bay. A number of local environmentalists are concerned

about protecting the bay and oppose the project.

The resort would tower over other comparable local hotels, such as the

285-room Four Seasons and the 250-room Marriott. Moreover, there are also

surrounding residents and ever-present traffic concerns to consider.

“The reason why this is taking so long is that this is such an important

piece of property,” Selich said. “I want to be darn sure we do what’s

right here.”

The commission’s next step is to vote on the adequacy of the project’s

environmental report, Selich said. Commissioners also must provide

proponents with feedback on the new scaled-down version of the resort.

To give the panel a better understanding of the resort’s new size, hotel

proponents this week put up 23 giant balloons. However, because of recent

weather conditions, the $1,500-a-day floating indicators were difficult

to read.

“I saw the balloons,” Selich said. “They gave you an indication of where

the high points of the building were. They’re not as good as doing story

poles, but it’s hard for a building that big.”

FYI

* WHAT: Planning Commission meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

* WHERE: City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.