Review of temple finds no significant problems

-- June Casagrande

No significant impact. Boiled down to three words, that’s the

conclusion of a 3-inch-thick report on the Mormon temple the church wants

to build at 2300 Bonita Canyon Drive, Newport Beach.

Now, the temple goes before residents during a 45-day public review

period that began this week, in which residents can register their

opinions on the proposed temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints.

Copies of the report are now available at three library branches:

Mariners Branch, 2005 Dover Drive; the Corona del Mar Branch, 420

Marigold Ave.; and the Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. Members of the

public may also view the report at the Planning Department at City Hall,

3300 Newport Blvd.

The 17,500-square-foot temple is proposed for the site at Bonita

Canyon Drive and Prairie Road.

The document will also be posted on the city’s Web site,

www.city.newport-beach.ca.us/home.htm, probably within the next several

days. More locations where the public may view the report may be added.

After the public review, the matter will go to the Planning

Commission, which will consider a request to include a nearly 124-foot

steeple on the temple.

All other elements of the project are within city guidelines, though

some, such as building color and lighting, have caused concern among

neighbors. The report shows that the visual effect of the temple on the

neighborhood is “less than significant.” Effects on traffic, as well as

water and air quality, is also determined by the report to be “less than

significant,” though it’s likely some residents will disagree.

Information: Planning Department, (949) 644-3225.