READERS RESPOND

AT ISSUE: The Newport Beach City Council is scheduled to consider

the proposed Dunes resort at its meeting tonight.

I am in my early 20s, working two jobs so I can live in Newport Beach. In

my Newport Heights area, many of the old-timers talk about being former

freeway fighters, stopping the coast freeway and high-rises around the

bay.

Boy, do I have news for them. Yes, they were right about not having a

freeway dividing our city, but height around the bay seems to be changing

fast. Last year, the Balboa Bay Club (on public-owned property) got an

extension on the proposed new hotel for 22 feet above maximum height for

a portion of the club.

This year, the Dunes Hotel (on public-owned property) is asking for an

even higher variance above the 35-foot height limit around the bay. With

three more hotels being discussed around the bay -- Ardell’s on Pacific

Coast Highway, Via Lido Marina and the American Legion Post/Marinapark

property (publicly owned) -- my question is this: what will be the next

request to go above the 35-foot height limit, to block views and make us

look like Miami Beach? And where will the traffic go?

Of interest to me was the Dunes Hotel victory party held right after the

Planning Commission voted in favor of their project, with a council

member in attendance.

Now help me understand that one. The Dunes Hotel project is set for

public hearing by the City Council and an open public hearing will be

held to hear both sides and judge the pros and cons. Should we ask

ourselves if a fair vote will be taken or as I read from the “victory

party,” have minds already been made up?

Sorry “old-timers,” but maybe it’s time to dust off the old uniform and

get out to work for Greenlight. I know I will be voting “yes” come

November.

NATHAN BRADLEY

Newport Beach

For some time, I have followed the proposed development of the Newport

Dunes resort hotel with interest. During this time, I have been very

impressed by the responsiveness to community concerns of the developer,

who has successfully operated Newport Dunes and other hotels for many

years, and the quality of the development.

It is not often that a municipality cannot only add to its tax base but,

at the same time, see a truly first-class resort be developed. Not only

will this enhance Newport Beach as a desired resort destination, but it

will also add much-needed facilities for use of its residents.

Perhaps those few who criticize the project should take the time to

carefully look at what is proposed and the benefits for our city.

STEWART R. SUCHMAN

Newport Beach

I was pleased to read that so many Newport Beach residents attended the

council meeting to express their opposition to the Dunes resort.

It’s beginning to seem that the members of our Planning Commission who

are in favor of this huge project have taken lessons from Costa Mesa’s

Planning Commission.

Beginning in the 1950s, Costa Mesa began to look like a town where no one

cared and it terrifies me to think that Newport Beach is headed in the

same direction.

We have plenty of commerce in our community and to continue to add more

businesses that will bring more people and more traffic is a shame.

Newport Beach had and can still have a charming ambience, but only if we

have decision-makers who have the courage to reject projects like the

Dunes resort. Newport Coast is a good example of someone’s inability to

say “no.”

Start now, Newport Beach!

JUDY JONES

Balboa Island

We have lived in Newport for 40 years -- from the Heights to the

Peninsula to Newport Coast, and now Bayside Village. We have seen good

changes and bad ones. The Dunes project is an excellent addition,

inviting a relaxed atmosphere. This project reflects a wonderful, new

first-class hotel that will occupy an area that is a complete eyesore.

Yes, Newport has character, but our planners and leaders need to clean up

the many areas that have turned our Newport into less than its potential.

The Dunes project is a welcome relief -- let them move forward so our

eyesore will become an environment of beauty.

DARWIN and ROBBIE BRITVICH

Newport Beach