INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some decisions...

INSIDE

CITY HALL

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday’s Newport Beach City

Council meeting.

LANDMARK BUILDINGS ORDINANCE

A final vote on an ordinance to benefit four local landmarks

smoothly passed final approval on Tuesday -- a quiet finish to

something that started out as a controversial plan. The ordinance

will allow the Port Theatre, the Lido Theater, the Balboa Theater and

the Balboa Pavilion to add food service and entertainment to their

businesses without applying for new permits.

Corona del Mar Councilman Dick Nichols, who had to recuse himself

from the vote because he lives within 500 feet of the theater, spoke

as a member of the public to again state his opposition to the

ordinance.

WHAT THEY SAID

“It will affect the land values and the livability in Corona del

Mar.”

-- Nichols

ALCOHOL SALES

Taking the first of what city leaders have promised will be many

moves to control excessive drinking in West Newport, the council

approved a change to the city’s municipal code. The change will

forbid grocery and package stores from setting up alcohol sales in

their parking lots. In past years, stores have set up tents in their

parking lots to sell liquor near the Fourth of July and other

holidays.

WHAT THEY SAID

“There’s more to come.”

-- Mayor Steve Bromberg

CLIFF DRIVE PLAYGROUND

The council also approved a $37,694 contract to purchase

playground equipment for Cliff Drive Park. The money will pay to

replace the playground equipment now at the site, some of which is

not in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The

council will consider bids from companies to install the equipment at

a later date.

-- June Casagrande