Are 500 outdoor events too many? City Council will review Newport Dunes’ permit after noise complaints

On the heels of complaints from Dover Shores residents about noise from outdoor events, the Newport Beach City Council on Tuesday is expected to review the Planning Commission’s approval of a permit allowing Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort to host more than 500 special events each year.

In February, Newport Dunes, located on 100 acres in Upper Newport Bay, requested a conditional use permit that would allow it to host 500 outdoor events with amplified music for less than 1,000 people and 14 larger outdoor events without having to approach the city for an individual permit each time.

The commission approved the request with a list of conditions intended to minimize noise impacts on neighbors, such as the use of special sound equipment, acoustic plastic walls and heavy theatrical curtains.

“It helps streamline the review process for special events in the future,” said Community Development Director Kim Brandt. “It also helps the community better understand what’s going on at the Dunes.”

However, Dover Shores residents spoke against the permit, saying noise from the Dunes has increased over the years. They suggested each event should have a specific permit, enabling the city to more closely monitor effects on homeowners.

City staff, Newport Dunes leadership and Dover Shores residents have held meetings in an effort to come to a compromise about the number of events at the resort.

In response to residents’ concerns, Councilman Marshall “Duffy” Duffield requested that the City Council review the Planning Commission’s decision.

“The Planning Commission kind of jumped the gun on it in terms of how many events they were going to approve,” Duffield said Friday. “There were a few parameters that the community across the bay wasn’t happy with, but they went back to the barn and discussed it all. The owners of the Dunes have been … working tremendously hard to satisfy the homeowners.”

Newport Dunes has agreed to reduce the number of events with fewer than 1,000 people to 250 for the rest of the year. The Dunes would be able to host 500 events the following year, according to a city staff report.

Newport Dunes also agreed to have a professional sound monitor present at all events with amplified sound to ensure that noise doesn’t spill into surrounding neighborhoods.

For years, Newport Dunes has been a site for public gatherings such as festivals, concerts, weddings and parties.

Previously, the resort would have to approach the city to receive permits for each outdoor event on the property. In 2015, the venue applied for 155 permits for special events, according to city records.

If the conditional use permit is approved by the City Council on Tuesday, the Planning Commission will review it in a year.

The council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive.