Marinapark will make first Planning Commission stop

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- In keeping with plans to put a luxury hotel project

in high gear, Sutherland Talla Hospitality could get its first nod from

city officials Thursday at the Planning Commission’s regular meeting.

The Planning Commission hearing -- a request to initiate a general

plan amendment -- is the first step toward building the 147-room luxury

resort near the American Legion Post on Balboa Peninsula. But it’s hardly

a serious hurdle.

“This is a fairly routine matter, just a step they take before filing

for a general plan amendment,” Planning Commissioner Larry Tucker said.

The first big battle over the project won’t come until the developer

presents an environmental report, probably in a couple of months.

Earlier this month, developer Stephen Sutherland announced changes to

the project made in hopes of getting approvals in time to get on the Nov.

5 ballot. Sutherland had originally proposed to build the resort where

the American Legion Hall now stands. But, partly because the City Council

said its support is contingent on the legionnaires’ blessing, Sutherland

revised his plans.

Instead, the legion hall will stay put and the resort will replace the

Marinapark mobile home park. All the changes, Sutherland said, are

designed to win the support of the community, the council and the

American Legion members.

But despite such changes, opponents are already bristling.

“I’d say it’s worse now,” said Tom Hyans, head of the Central Newport

Beach Community Assn. “Now the entrance will be from Balboa Boulevard,

which will be an even bigger traffic problem.”

The environmental-impact report will likely include a traffic study

that will affirm or deny Sutherland’s belief that traffic there won’t be

a problem. He describes the project as a benefit to the neighborhood and

the city with almost no negative effects.

“It’s designed to be an enhancement for the area,” he said. “It will

improve public beach access and also mean an estimated $3 million in

taxes to the city.”

Planning Commissioner Mike Kranzley said he expects that the next

round of commission and council meetings reviewing the environmental

studies will draw crowds to council chambers.

“People will have plenty of opportunity to voice their opinion,” he

said.

If the project gets approvals from the council and the commission, it

will still require a Greenlight vote, which Sutherland hopes will be on

the ballot Nov. 5.