Citizens protest development

A proposed project near Begonia Park in Corona del Mar has some residents taking a stand against the plans, which would block some of the view of the bay from the park.

The Newport Beach Planning Commission recently gave its seal of approval to the project, which was originally proposed in April. Initially, the Planning Commission denied the project because it did not conform to building code standards. The project was redesigned and reduced in size before the Planning Commission gave its approval recently, though the City Council still has to sign off on the project before construction can start.

“We have done everything we can to satisfy the concerns of the community,” the project’s architect, David Olson, said. “In the big picture, a lot of people always thought [the property] was part of the park, and they are a little bit surprised something is going to be built on it.”

But many residents aren’t at all happy. While the view barrier was reduced looking out from the park to the bay and surrounding area, there is still some obstruction. To the residents, that is a violation of the city’s General Plan that protects public views. In response, they have hired an attorney to combat the project. The group, Friends of Begonia Park, has also raised funds — said to be in the thousands — and started www.friendsofbegoniapark.com, and held a meeting at Begonia Park on Friday for those supporting their protest.

“If you look at it, it would be a shame to lose this valuable asset to the city,” said Dan Spletter, a resident who lives a few houses away from the property. “When you go there, you are just like, ‘Oh my god, this would be terrible.’ ”

The redesign complies with all zoning standards, with minor exceptions for some planters and a water feature, according to city officials.

The new design conformed to height limits, made two of the three levels below street level and reduced the overall size, city officials said.

“We found that the revised design did everything the commission asked them to do,” Planning Manager Patrick Alford said.

But residents were upset and wanted to appeal, so Councilwoman Nancy Gardner granted their request.

The subject will now be discussed at the City Council meeting Sept. 23.

“When I looked at the plans myself, I thought, ‘Good, they have done a great job on the second time around,’ ” Gardner said.