Planners to debate Cannery Lofts’ height

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- On paper, the issue is height: Should the Cannery

Lofts development be allowed to exceed the area’s 26-foot height limit by

7 feet? But in addressing this question, what’s really on trial is the

appearance of the 22 live-work lofts.

A final answer on whether the Cannery Lofts will be built could come

as soon as Thursday, when the Planning Commission is expected to vote on

the development. So far, the controversial project has drawn opponents

and supporters alike to commission meetings.

“The issue seems to be: Is 22 units of the same style architecture too

much? Or is it something that fits within the specific plan?”

Commissioner Larry Tucker said. “It’s one of those artistic design issues

that we usually don’t have to decide on, but this time we do.”

Buildings taller than 26 feet but less than 34 feet can be permitted

if the commission determines that the quality of architecture justifies

allowing slightly taller buildings than normally permitted, according to

the Cannery Village Specific Plan. The plan, written in the 1980s, also

offers some aesthetic guidelines.

“The specific plan calls for a Cannery theme, but it doesn’t really

tell you what a Cannery theme is,” Commissioner Ed Selich noted.

Most agree that the Cannery Village area, inspired and anchored by the

former fish-canning plant site that’s now home to the Cannery Seafood of

the Pacific Restaurant, is a unique and eclectic area. In keeping with

this theme, developer Kevin Weeda proposed the lofts as artist-inspired

units with space for living and working. A public walkway is also part of

the plan.

But some say that, instead of complementing the feel of the historic

village, the lofts will overwhelm it.

“I think the intent of the specific area plan was to maintain the

eclectic charm of Cannery Village,” said James “Buzz” Person, who was a

member of the Planning Commission when that plan was crafted. Now a

resident of the Cannery Village area, Person has spoken against the

project.

“I don’t see that this particular project was what we had in mind,” he

said. “It’s 22 buildings all the same height, all the same look.”

Others say the lofts will give the area a much-needed boost,

especially for businesses in the area.

Cannery Lofts is slated to be built along both sides of 30th Street,

between Villa Way and LaFayette Avenue. Its 22 lofts would be

free-standing, owner-occupied units of about 3,000 square feet. Four

would sit on the Rhine Channel waterfront.

FYI

* WHAT: Newport Beach Planning Commission meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.