A local environmental group and a political action committee have partnered in an effort to gather signatures for a petition to stop the proposed 150 Newport Center (formerly known as Newport Center Villas).
Stop Polluting Our Newport (also known as Still Protecting Our Newport) and Line in the Sand PAC are circulating a petition requesting that the Planning Commission deny the permit application for the project, which consists of the demolition of the existing Beacon Bay Car Wash, located at Newport Center and Anacapa drives, adjacent to Fashion Island.
“Both organizations are concerned with the dangerous precedent this project would set for allowing dense residential development in a low-intensity commercial area of Newport Center,” officials from the two groups explained in a prepared statement.
Newport Center Anacapa Associates, LLC, the company behind the project, recently proposed a six-story, 45-unit residential condominium building with three levels of subterranean parking height limit of 65 feet and six inches (four more feet with the mechanical appurtenances) on a 1.3-acre site.
The Commission recently discussed the project and directed to staff to return to the Sept. 1 meeting with a redesign under the parameters they outlined: Five-story design with a maximum of 45 units and height maximum of 50 feet with 10 feet for mechanical. Commissioners also wanted time to fully evaluate the project.
Other concerns from SPON and LITS include: Project is inappropriate for its location with regard to height, bulk and use; It requires a major amendment to the General Plan to add development without a public vote; and Approval of a residential building in proximity to restaurants, bars and theaters will result in conflicts over noise and other nuisances caused by patrons, cars and deliveries at all hours.
For more information, visit newportbeachca.gov/trending/projects-issues/newport-center-villas, SPON-NewportBeach.org and LineInTheSandPAC.com.
The online Petition is at goo.gl/forms/g1DkZu6yqofB2W3D3
