District, church forging parking partnership

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT BEACH -- While the division between church and state exists in

the classroom, the parking lot is proving fertile ground for a

partnership.

For weeks, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and St. Andrew’s

Presbyterian Church have been working together to find a solution to the

parking problems that have plagued the area around Newport Harbor High

School, including a lack of on-street parking. The goal is to provide

adequate and safe parking, facilitate traffic flow in the area and ensure

pedestrian safety.

On Tuesday, the school board voted unanimously to keep the discussion

going with church officials until they reach a solution.

“Rarely do things come together so quickly and dovetail,” said school

board Vice President Martha Fluor. “This solves not only the school’s and

St. Andrew’s issues, but the community’s as well.”

The timing is significant because the church is preparing to embark on

a fund-raising and building program for a new Youth and Family Center,

said Mike Fine, the district’s assistant superintendent.

“This is an opportune time to be talking about this, along with making

improvements on the [school’s] campus,” Fine said.

Previous discussions have focused on the possibility of building a

multitiered parking structure that will provide between 525 and 800

parking spaces. It would be located on the Newport Harbor High School

campus and operate under a joint-use agreement with both the school

district and the church.

Next steps in the discussions include holding meetings in the area for

the church, the school community and the neighbors to offer their input

for possible solutions.

The school board will reconsider the issue April 9.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .