Accepting the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ In...

Accepting the ‘good’

and the ‘bad’

In response to Wendy Leece, “Enough already from sordid trial,” in

Tuesday’s Daily Pilot, I hope the editors of the Daily Pilot continue

their excellent coverage of not only the feel-good news in our

community but also their in-depth coverage of the not-so-good news.

I think the Daily Pilot does an excellent job of presenting

stories on kids and teens that are doing the right thing through

academic, athletic and volunteer achievements. But the Daily Pilot

provides a service to our community in presenting stories such as

this rape trial, which is a cautionary tale for all parents. I do not

wish the determination of what is news to be made by Leece. She has a

voice in our community, but I do not wish her voice to determine what

I read in my newspaper.

Keep up the good work at the Daily Pilot because this reader is

strong enough to embrace the good news and smart enough to learn from

the bad news.

JULIE WAHLSTEDT

Costa Mesa

New church facilities could ease traffic

We have been residents of Cliff Haven for 52 years, and are

members of St. Andrew’s Church. We do not feel as Cliff Haven

Community Assn. members that [the association] speaks for all of us.

The so-called expansion plan proposes the additional floor space

to be added mainly as sound-proofed basement and would not increase

the footprint of the existing buildings significantly. Also, no

additional seating is proposed for the sanctuary.

The need for a youth facility is urgent. We are told that the

enrollment at Ensign Intermediate School is at a record high. The

location of St. Andrew’s, within walking distance of both Ensign and

Newport Harbor High, makes it an ideal location with real potential

for keeping the kids off the streets during the crucial after-school

hours.

The planned underground parking structure would add 150 spaces for

a 60% increase of on-site parking for a total of 400 spaces. We think

that this increased parking availability would help ease the current

parking situation on the neighborhood streets.

However, we agree with the planning commission suggestion that the

best solution would be for the parties to try to reach a compromise

that would address the concerns of both the church and the neighbors.

MARGARET AND

RAYMOND PALMER

Newport Beach

Expansion should be a ‘no,’ ‘no,’ ‘no’

As 34-year property owners in Cliff Haven and Newport Heights, my

family has endured more and more traffic caused by the

expansion-driven St. Andrew’s Church.

Unlike the city of Laguna Beach, for Newport Beach, the answer is

seldom no. A variance request to permit a mansion in Cliff Haven or

the Heights? No problem. St. Andrew’s desire to expand a few years

ago? No problem. Now, an additional St. Andrew’s expansion request to

include subterranean parking and a zoning change? Why not? Because

the neighbors say no. And Newport Beach should also say no.

When a business outgrows its facility, it relocates. If

thechurch’s private plans were communicated to the city 20 years ago,

Newport Beach’s representatives surely would have said no because of

the negative effects on a residentially zoned community.

Clearly, the mission of St. Andrew’s cannot be achieved without a

continuation of the degradation of our local community. Just say no

to a zoning change request; no to expansion; and no to any

compromises. Enough is enough.

LANA AND HOWARD LARSEN

Newport Beach

Expansion for

reducing, not adding

St. Andrew’s Church leaders have listened to their neighbors

concerns for many years. The expansion plan addresses the reduction

of noise. It does not add to it. It reduces parking on the streets

around the church, not add to it and the concern for potential

increase in traffic.

Under the current plan submitted to the city, and the draft

environmental impact report it’s based on, the church is asking for

an increase of approximately 36,000 feet. Of this amount more than

20,000 square feet are underground and more than 16,000 square feet

are for storage hallways and restrooms. The only new above-ground

facility is a multipurpose room, a gym which is soundproofed to the

neighbors.

This room is the youth and family facility, which everyone in the

community has agreed is good for the kids and adults, especially the

single adults. Therefore, we ask the planning commission to approve

the zoning exemption and the expansion program.

JAKE EASTON

Newport Beach