NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

ST. ANDREW’S

CHURCH HEARING

The council set the rules for what could be the final public

hearing on a proposed expansion of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

The church wants to build a new youth and family center, parking

and other amenities that would add 21,700 square feet, but neighbors

have complained that the addition will worsen existing traffic and

parking problems and is too big for the neighborhood.

At the hearing, church officials will get 20 minutes to present

their project, and neighborhood representatives for Cliff Haven and

Newport Heights will get equal time to raise objections.

The council will allow two minutes per speaker during the public

comment portion of the meeting.

The neighbors and then the church will each have five minutes to

make closing remarks.

Finally, the council will discuss and vote separately on the

environmental report for the project and the project itself.

WHAT IT MEANS

The hearing on the proposed expansion of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian

Church will be held Aug. 11.

There won’t be a time limit on public testimony, but the council

agreed to try not to exceed three hours.

HOAG HOSPITAL

BUILDING BONDS

The city will issue $200 million in bonds for construction and

equipment upgrades at Hoag Hospital, the council decided.

City Administrative Services Director Dennis Danner told the

council that the city will have no obligation to repay the bond

buyers if the hospital defaults, and Hoag will pay the city a

$200,000 bond issuance fee.

This will be the fifth time Newport Beach has backed a bond sale

for the hospital.

WHAT IT MEANS

Hoag Hospital can embark on up to $200 million in facilities

improvements, financed by tax-free bonds the city will issue.

The city’s credit rating won’t be affected by the bond sale.

TRUCK WEIGHT

RESTRICTION

After two trucks overturned in separate accidents earlier this

year at Ridge Park Road and Newport Coast Drive, the council agreed

to set an 8,000-pound vehicle weight limit on Ridge Park Road.

Parents were concerned about heavy trucks passing Newport Coast

Elementary School, and the council agreed that Ridge Park Road has

handled more than its share of construction traffic from nearby

homes.

Since nearby neighborhoods are expected to be built out in a few

years, the council put a sunset date on the weight restriction in

2008.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council is likely to approve a second reading of the ordinance

in August, after which construction trucks and other heavy vehicles

would have to use Vista Ridge Road rather than Ridge Park Road until

September 2008. Councilman Dick Nichols abstained.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Next City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m., Aug. 9

* WHERE: Council chambers, City Hall, 3300 Newport Boulevard

* INFO: Call (949) 644-3005 or visit https://www.city.newport-

beach.ca.us for agendas and staff reports