NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

Planning commissioners approved an expansion project of the Boy Scouts

sea base on West Coast Highway.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Scouts may now take their project to the California Coastal

Commission, which also must approve it. The expansion includes an

8,092-square-foot sailing building and a 6,400-square-foot rowing

building, and more than doubles the base from 9,943 square feet to 22,060

square feet. Scout officials agreed to move the sailing building 5 feet

closer to an existing building on the western end of the base to preserve

a larger bay view corridor for the public.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I need to point out that the loss of view is a significant concern.

We’re taking away a public view . . . that can’t be replaced.” --

Commissioner Shant Agajanian

Vote: 6-0 in favor

WHAT HAPPENED:

Planning commissioners approved a use permit for the Riverboat

Restaurant on East Coast Highway.

WHAT IT MEANS:

After months of negotiations with neighboring Linda Isle residents,

the restaurant’s owners will now be able to offer outdoor dining on the

boat’s stern deck. Island homeowners had complained about plans to also

open up the bow deck, which sits closer to their homes. Under the permit,

the restaurant owners will only be able to use the bow deck to set up a

buffet table for large parties in the adjacent Texas deck. Planning

commissioners decided to review the outside deck use in January to

determine if residents had complaints.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“We wish [the restaurant owners] prosperous business.” -- Steve

Sheldon, a lawyer representing Linda Isle residents

Vote: 6-0 in favor

WHAT HAPPENED:

Planning commissioners recommended that City Council members consider

a coastal bluff development policy during the pending general plan

update.

WHAT IT MEANS:

While commissioners had originally hoped to review new house projects

along Corona del Mar’s bluffs to ensure the bluffs are preserved as much

as possible, City Council members rejected that idea and told planning

commissioners to come up with a set of objective guidelines for such a

review instead. Planning department officials presented such guidelines

at the meeting, and commissioners decided to leave it up to council

members on what steps to take. Council members may either set up a review

process of bluff projects or change a policy that calls for bluff

preservation. Commissioners had pointed out the inconsistency of having a

preservation policy in place with no means to enforce it.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“You’re the only people to fight for us. Please keep it up. Without

it, [Corona del Mar] is going to look like La Jolla.” -- Resident Robert

Walchli, who supports more stringent reviews of bluff projects

Vote: 5-0 in favor

Commissioner Steven Kiser abstained from the vote. Commissioner Anne

Gifford was absent from the meeting.

NEXT MEETING

WHAT: Newport Beach Planning Commission

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. June 21

WHERE: Newport Beach City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.