Changes to beach may be headed for back burner

June Casagrande

As they brace themselves to hear unpleasant debate on Councilman Dick

Nichols’ comment about Mexican beachgoers, City Council members

tonight must also grapple with the difficult issue that sparked

Nichols’ remark: Corona del Mar State Beach improvements.

“All of the controversy about Councilman Nichols’ statement is

clouding the issue,” Corona del Mar resident Laurie Kellogg wrote to

city officials. “Our beach at Corona del Mar is precious, and more

grass, parking or larger buildings will spoil what is there.”

The city is proposing about $2 million in renovations to the beach

area, including two 1,231-square-foot restroom buildings and a

2,225-square-foot building to house concessions, lifeguard and first

aid services, and a marine life resources facility with a lifeguard

observation room on top. Plans also call for expanding the grass area

along the length of the beachfront pavement.

The lifeguard observation room has drawn some concern from

neighbors, who worry it will be an ugly encroachment on views.

“We feel there should be as few buildings as possible. There is no

need for a lifeguard tower of any type,” Breakers Drive residents Dr.

and Mrs. Jack Larson wrote to the City Council.

But Fire Chief Tim Riley describes it as “small” and “elegant” and

necessary for bringing lifeguard protection services up to the

standard of other beaches in the city.

“At the lifeguard headquarters at Newport Pier, you can stand in

our lifeguard area and with binoculars you can see from the Santa Ana

River to the Wedge because you’ve got an elevated view,” Riley said.

“We don’t have that capability at Corona del Mar.

“We’re not asking for some big tower that protrudes out,” he said.

“It’s a really tastefully done small area that allows us to provide

basic lifeguard services.”

Part of the funding will come from $841 from the American Trader

Oil Spill Settlement funds and from a $479 grant from state

Proposition 12 funds. The remaining cost of nearly $600,000 could

come from the city budget, grants or both.

The plan to improve the beach got its start in 1999 when the City

Council determined that the aging structures should be upgraded.

Details of the proposed renovations were suggested by city staff and

based in part on a public-input process that included a survey mailed

to 1,000 residents in late 2001, a public workshop held March 10 of

this year and meetings of the Parks Beaches and Recreation Commission

and the Planning Commission.

Corona del Mar State Beach is owned by the state and managed and

maintained by the city. Between 800,000 and 1 million people visited

the beach last year, bringing in about $710,000 in parking and

concession revenue for the city.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.