Dreams vs. park views

Surrounded by a chain-link fence and monitored by surveillance cameras, a small patch of land overlooking the mouth of Newport Harbor has become the scene of a battle pitting the values of individual property rights versus public access to scenic views.

Owner Kim Megonigal wants to build a three-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot house on the dusty vacant lot, just below Begonia Park in Corona del Mar. It’s his dream home.

Last year he put up the fence and installed security cameras. One of his future neighbors had threatened to plant an endangered species of a flowering plant on the lot in order to halt construction.

Residents who live around the park formed the group Friends of Begonia Park to try to stop Megonigal from building on the lot. They say the home would block as much as 50% of the park’s picturesque view of Newport Harbor.

“We’re trying to be a good neighbor and not block the view of the park,” Megonigal said. “I’m trying not to be a bad guy, and do it without totally destroying the value of my home — this is a place we’re going to live in for the next 30 years.”

Megonigal said he’s already trimmed about 1,000 square feet from the project and shaved off one level of the house in an effort to work with neighbors.

Still, Corona del Mar resident Dan Spletter and other members of Friends of Begonia Park say Megonigal’s dream home would mar the view from their beloved park.

“Newport Beach has a General Plan that says no new structure shall block the public view — we want to hold them to that,” Spletter said.

Spletter, who has lived in the area for about 30 years, said he and his neighbors want to protect the park, which is a meeting place for locals and a popular spot for wedding parties. Tourists often stop and take photographs of an old tree overlooking the harbor at the site, he said.

“All you would be able to see is a garage if [Megonigal] gets to build there,” Spletter said.

Megonigal has had to pay about $35,000 for an environmental-impact report on his project. The report found that the house won’t significantly block public views.

However, Friends of Begonia Park claim the report was botched because it was based on photographs of the park view taken before city workers cut back large clumps of shrubbery at the park.

“You’re going to lose 50% of the view here, and that’s significant” said Corona del Mar resident and Friends of Begonia Park member Mark Simon. “I have three children and two dogs, so I’m here several times a day.”

The public has until Oct. 8 to file comments with the city about the report.

Megonigal hopes the Newport Beach Planning Commission, followed by the City Council, will clear the project by the end of November.