Feedback -- A yacht to argue about

Balboa Island is a community for families, friends and visitors. We

enjoy a quaint small town environment of beaches full of children,

benches for those who want to stop and smell the roses, and a boardwalk

for every age to stroll. Large “vessels” docked within 20 to 40 feet --

depending on the tide -- simply do not belong in this environment.

They belong in an appropriate marina. The Newport Beach City Council

needs to deal with this issue in order to preserve our small friendly

community.

LAURIE HOAGLAND

Balboa Island

I’m writing to express my concern about the proposed docking of

Lodwrick Cook’s 55-foot yacht here on Balboa Island.

I’ve lived on the island for over four years on Amethyst Avenue --

about one block from South Bay Front. My wife and I visit the beach here

often, with our 2-year-old daughter.

Placing a large boat parallel to the beach would be very unsafe

because it would block all views of the waterway and the marine traffic

passing by.

Equally important in my opinion, it sets a dangerous precedent that

could destroy the overall charm of this island. As I’m sure you know,

inland California residents and tourists visit here year-round to enjoy

walking along the beach and to share in the small town ambience here.

Allowing someone to park a large boat along the residential waterfront

will effectively open the door to other folks who want to place 55-foot

“fiberglass walls” along the public beaches.

Please don’t allow this island to become an impersonal marina, open to

the highest bidders.

SCOTT & KELLIE WILKIE

Balboa Island

One notable matter that you failed to report is that much of the

resistance is to the boat being moored parallel to the beach, which is

more obstructive than if it was parked vertically to the bay front. I

think that this should be noted in subsequent discussions of this

situation.

MICHAEL LONG

Corona del Mar

This is a response to the article about a proposal to place a 55-foot

yacht parallel to the sea wall across two lots. We are longtime residents

of Balboa Island and do not wish to see this kind of precedent set.

The beaches in front of these properties are public beaches and are

packed with children and families during the summer. Placing a boat of

this size across the property lines will basically make the beach

unusable, as there will be limited access to the bay since the boat will

be blocking the way.

The view of the harbor will also be restricted for beach goers and

boardwalk strollers. The beaches and boardwalk around Balboa Island are

public and open for everyone to enjoy. We want to keep it this way.

BILL & SHELLY TAYLOR

Balboa Island

I think the article fails to mention a couple of issues. By parking

the boat out there, it’s creating a tremendous safety hazard to swimmers

and light boat traffic. This is more than just a city issue. This is a

public issue based on the public beaches and public waterways.

I think it needs to go before a public hearing to make the public

aware of what is happening.

DEL STAUDINGER

Newport Beach

I wish to register a protest for the proposal of the 55-foot boat and

the dock being redesigned on the bay front. I think it’s more than just a

matter of view. I think it’s also a safety concern because little

children on that beach are paddling out in rafts and boats. I think that

a boat that size is so enormous that it blocks the view and could create

a very severe safety problem for children who use that beach every summer

and during the year as well.

FLORENCE VANDEGRIFT

Balboa Island

I am absolutely opposed to allowing Cook to park his 55-foot boat in

front of his residences on Balboa Island. I think it would spoil all the

approach to the fact that Balboa Island is a beach city. It is not just a

boating area. It is a family area where people come from outside of

living on the island. They’ve always been welcome to come down for the

day, to swim and sit on the beach, but a large boat such as that would

make that very difficult and very uncomfortable.

That part of the beach would not be sat on. People don’t want to sit

and look at a great big 55-foot boat. It is not safe. It would be unsafe

for floaters, for paddle boats, for swimmers to go around there to try to

swim, to say nothing about the many electric boats that we have on the

Island. It is not a safe situation. So, I’m very much opposed to it.

SALLIE PARNJOPF

Balboa Island

I oppose this. I certainly oppose having this pier configuration with

a larger boat put in there.

STEPHANIE WHITAKER

Balboa Island

I do not want Cook to be allowed to park his boat in front of his

home.

BARBARA WHITE

Balboa Island