SOUNDING OFF:

Your article on the bluff-top condo project in Corona del Mar showed only one side of a very complex issue (“Planning commission approves condo project,” May 20). For the project’s architect, Brion Jeannette, to state that only a few neighbors objected to the size of the development is not true.

There was a legitimate petition signed by almost 100 neighborhood residents in opposition, some of whom were past clients of Mr. Jeannette’s, which was submitted to the planning commission. Also, several people, along with a local environmental group, were at the meeting with valid points based on provisions in the California Land-Use Plan,which addressed the destruction of a coastal bluff, potential loss of public views, as well as the project’s massive size.

The land-use plan was written last year to protect our city’s remaining scenic and visual resources. As this is precedent-setting for future bluff-top projects, it’s a shame that the Planning Department staff did not stick to their guns regarding the predominant line of development, and we question their extreme change of position. It was especially disturbing to hear one of the planning commissioners say, “Why try and save that little bit of bluff when it’ll all be gone anyway?”

What a sad commentary for the future of our city that the majority of planning commissioners disregarded key policies in the general plan, as either they weren’t informed or just didn’t care to listen to the facts. Put that together with a popular architect who has a very close working relationship with the Planning Department and who proudly pointed out each and every bluff-top development he has gotten approval for (though most were not relevant to this project), and you have to ask yourself why the rules weren’t applied here. Being pro-growth is OK, but not when residents’ concerns and general plan provisions fall on deaf ears.

As a responsible media source, we ask that you write a nonbiased article telling the whole story.

lives in Corona del Mar.