Active debate expected on Dunes expansion

Susan McCormack

NEWPORT BEACH -- The city’s Environmental Quality Affairs Committee is

expected to be very “vocal” today, before it votes on a recommendation on

the proposed expansion of Newport Dunes, said committee chairman Earl

McDaniel.

After the committee discusses the recent environmental impact report for

the project, it will make a recommendation to the City Council, McDaniel

said. The council then will make the final decision on whether the

project will be given the go-ahead.

“We will take a real strong look at traffic,” McDaniel said, declining to

name which specific points in the report are of concern. “There are

issues that need to be addressed.”

Nearby residents have voiced concerns about the report’s estimate that

added traffic would mean 4,800 trips on local streets daily.

McDaniel also said there are issues not in the study that he believes

will be discussed, including the hotel’s design and projections about how

much revenue the city will receive.

Officials have said the development will bring $1.3 million annually to

the city in tax revenues. McDaniel said that figure may not be right.

The committee is the state-mandated environmental review committee for

the city and is responsible for considering the pros and cons of proposed

developments, paying particular attention to impacts on traffic,

environmental degradation and quality of life for residents. Members are

appointed by the City Council.

The Dunes expansion study took about a year to complete and focused on

traffic, water quality and local wildlife issues concerning the proposed

$100-million, 500-room hotel and time share complex. The development

would be built at the Newport Dunes recreational vehicle resort.

FYI

The Environmental Quality Affairs Committee meets at 7 p.m. today at the

Newport Beach police station, 870 Santa Barbara Drive.