Marinapark plan headed to council

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- A proposed luxury resort at Marinapark cleared its

first, albeit minor, hurdle Thursday when a Planning Commission meeting

drew tepid response to the project.

As expected, commissioners approved a request by developer Stephen

Sutherland to begin the process of seeking city approval to build a

147-room resort at the site of the Marinapark mobile home complex, which

is adjacent to the American Legion post on Balboa Peninsula.

“I’d say it was a pretty balanced response to the project,” said

Assistant City Manager Sharon Wood, noting that two people spoke against

the project and one spoke in favor.

The project’s next stop is Tuesday’s City Council meeting. If members

give similar approval, Sutherland then will begin the process of

conducting environmental studies, including a look at how the proposed

project would affect traffic.

“I’m hoping it will show that this project will not have a negative

impact on traffic,” Sutherland said.

Everyone agrees traffic is a crucial factor. Phil Arst of the

Greenlight Committee said last week that the group will not take a

position on the project until traffic projections are available.

Because the project will require an amendment to the city’s general

plan, under Greenlight it must first go to a vote of Newport Beach

residents. Sutherland has said he hopes to get on the Nov. 5 ballot

instead of holding a special election because he believes the project

will have a better chance in a regular election.

“I have worked very hard to make this a beautiful project for the

Balboa Peninsula and a project that benefits the city and residents,”

Sutherland said. “I know I have a long way to go to get this project

approved.”

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

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