Project for Marinapark site pushes along

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Revised plans for a 156-room luxury resort at

Marinapark were filed at City Hall this week as opponents of the project

gear up for a fight.

The plans, updated to include more specific information about aspects

such as building heights and parking, move the project one step closer to

completion.

As city planners begin to review the plans, a City Council

subcommittee will begin lease negotiations for the American Legion hall

now on the site.

City Council members have said they won’t support the project unless

it first earns the blessing of the legionnaires.

“The next step is to get the American Legion on board,” said Stephen

Sutherland, developer of the proposed project. “That’s always been first

and foremost.”

Sutherland has plans to build a new hall on the site for the

legionnaires. Representatives of the post, which has been on the site

since 1949, have said they need the security of a long-term lease before

they can accept Sutherland’s proposal. They have also asked for added

parking and other concessions.

“Nobody on the peninsula wants this kind of encumbrance,” said Tom

Hyans, president of the Central Newport Beach Community Assn., which

opposes the project on the grounds that the 10-acre site should be kept

in the public’s hands.

In addition to the American Legion post, the land is also home to the

Marinapark mobile home park and Las Arenas Park, which includes tennis

courts, a Girl Scouts headquarters, public parking and a community

center.

Hyans said the planned resort doesn’t have enough parking and will

actually take up parking for public beach access.

Sutherland describes the project as an upscale resort that will be an

asset to the community. He emphasizes that none of the buildings will be

taller than two stories.

Assistant City Manager Sharon Wood said once staff have confirmed the

information in the plans is complete, the issue could come before the

Planning Commission within 45 days. If the project passes muster with

commissioners, it will still have to clear hurdles at City Council and

the California Coastal Commission before, ultimately, going to a special

election required under the city’s Greenlight Initiative.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .