Community Commentary

While it is suddenly of interest to The Daily Pilot that the Newport

Dunes Resort is on public land, that’s been common knowledge to the

general public for decades. We were, therefore, a little surprised at the

sensational headline treatment, implying that this well-known fact is

current news (“Dunes resort project lies on public land,” March 31). This

information was included in every presentation I made to more than 40

homeowners groups and organizations in Newport Beach starting in January

1999, including Speak Up Newport, the Chamber of Commerce, the Upper

Newport Bay Naturalists, Surfrider and the Balboa Island Improvement

Association.

For the record, the information was also included in the Dunes

development proposal (public information) to the city in January, the

notice of preparation for the city’s Environmental Impact Report (public

information) in September 1998, the EIR itself (public information) in

October 1999 and the front page of every City Planning Staff Report

(public information) for the five (and counting) public hearings held by

the Planning Commission on the Dunes.

As a business, we take considerable pride in the fact that we are

lessees of the county, and ultimately the people of the state of

California. The state tidelands lease policy is a remarkably successful

public/private partnership that has served the community exceptionally

well for many years. Its objective is to reserve these lands in public

trust, and to enhance and facilitate the opportunity for the public to

use these attractive and unique resources. The tidelands lease program

has resulted in some of the most beneficial and successful recreational

developments in the state, including Dana Point Harbor, Huntington

Harbor, Marina Del Rey, and Mission Bay.

Locally, agreements in Newport Beach include Marina Park, about half

of the 60 residences in Beacon Bay, the Balboa Bay Club, Ruby’s

Restaurant on the Pier, the American Legion’s Clubhouse and Marina and

the Beek family’s Balboa Island Ferry operations. The city of Newport

Beach, which means the taxpayers, receives more than $4.5 million

annually from these lease arrangements. The county receives more than

$1.6 million annually in rent from Newport Dunes alone.

All of these operations, which are each an important part of our

community, at the same time facilitate the public’s use of these

properties. The Newport Dunes Resort has been a highly successful example

of this for more than 40 years, and every aspect of planning for the

Newport Dunes Resort Hotel is built around increasing and promoting

greater public access on the currently underutilized site.

The funds realized from tidelands leases are invested back into the

tidelands themselves, and pay for such harbor-oriented uses as dredging,

the Harbor Patrol and lifeguards, and maintenance of public recreational

resources.

Let me close with a personal note. The Newport Dunes Resort is a

family business, no different from most other businesses in this

community. We have served the public well, and we will continue to do so.

To read these specious and irresponsible quotes about our business is

exceptionally disappointing to our family, our employees and our friends

in the community.

TIM QUINN

Newport Dunes Project Manager