Supporters of arts center ask city for land

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- An impassioned plea that the city set aside land for a

proposed arts and education center sparked opposition from residents who

have different visions for the coveted site next to the Newport Beach

public library.

“I feel I’m drowning in a sea of procedural red tape,” said arts and

education center committee co-chairman Don Gregory. “Please stop tabling

this, tabling this and tabling this. There is a great need for this

project. Let us take the next step -- that’s all we ask.”

But other community members were appalled that the council would even

consider such a move.

“It’s dedicated open space,” said Jan Vandersloot of Stop Polluting Our

Newport, adding that he’s going before the Parks, Beach and Recreation

Committee to propose a passive open space park for the site.

Council members were sympathetic to Gregory’s plight but decided to take

conservative steps toward considering the proposal. They voted 6-1 --

with Councilwoman Norma Glover opposing -- to give the city attorney two

weeks to review the request.

“It would mean making a commitment not to commit to any other land use

for two years,” said Councilman Gary Adams. “I think it’s reasonable to

let them take a shot at this. There is a huge entitlement process they

have to go through, though.”

Gregory, pounding his fist on the podium to underscore his frustration,

pleaded with the council to set aside 3.5 acres of the 12-acre site next

to the library so the group could finally begin feasibility studies and

start raising funds.

Supporters of the project, which is intended to make the library the

cultural center of Newport Beach, have been meeting regularly for two

years but have had difficulty getting their project off the ground.

However, the property has long been considered a prime site for a park or

senior housing.

“I don’t think you’d want to sanction every ad-hoc proposal,” agreed Pat

Beek of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.

While the council insisted that the land was not slated for the center --

which still has a series of hurdles to overcome even before it begins the

approval process -- many feared Tuesday’s action would make it appear as

though the council had given its tacit approval to the project.

“These folks have no plan we’ve seen except some very vague renderings,”

said resident Debbie Allen, who wanted the council to table the idea.

The city attorney’s assessment will then be given to staff who will talk

to the arts and education committee about the request before deciding if

it should appear before the council again.