Aerie condo project approved

Plans for a controversial clutch of luxury condominiums on a coastal bluff in Corona del Mar known as the Aerie project narrowly cleared the Newport Beach City Council on Tuesday night, by a 4-2 vote.

Council members Steve Rosansky and Nancy Gardner both voted against the development, citing the large size of the condominium project.

Councilman Keith Curry left the meeting early to catch a flight to Philadelphia for a business trip.

The Council Chambers were packed with Newport Beach residents both for and against the roughly 61,700-square-foot project on Carnation Avenue.

Newport residents from Residents for Responsible Development, formed to oppose the Aerie project, wore yellow and green stickers to the meeting with the words “No to Aerie Just too big” on them.

Many residents were concerned on what effect the project would have on the coastal bluff, visible from Newport Harbor.

The beaches and bluffs are residential and are not devoted to be Taj Mahals, Newport Beach resident and activist Allan Beek said in protest of the development. “We have set limits on what can be built on top of bluffs.”

Plans for the eight luxury condominiums include private decks and pools for each unit and an elevator to take cars to underground levels.

The developer originally planned a seven-story building on the spot, but has modified the plans to make the building six levels.

Several residents also spoke out in support of the development, which would replace an aging apartment building and house on the bluff.

“I think it’s going to be a big improvement to the neighborhood,” Corona del Mar resident Bill McCaffrey said.

“[The developer] has gone out of his way to be a good neighbor, been very communicative to all of the neighbors.”

Plans for the development have gone through a maze of approvals spanning several years, including five Planning Commission meetings and two previous Newport Beach City Council hearings.

Land developer Richard Julian bought the site of a 60-year-old apartment building and house on Carnation Avenue seven years ago with hopes of transforming it into a luxury condominium complex.

The project has also run into a warren of environmental documentation and feuds with some of the neighbors who oppose the development.

About The Project

 The Aerie project would replace an existing 14-unit apartment building with an eight-unit luxury condominium complex with six levels that would take up 61,709 square feet at Bayside Place and Carnation Avenue.

 The new condominium complex was designed by architect Brion Jeannette, who also designed the 30,000-square-foot Corona del Mar mansion known as the Portabello Estate, which has been valued as high as $75 million.