Action delayed on Dunes proposal

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- A packed City Council lineup Tuesday postponed any

action on the mammoth Newport Dunes resort project.

The council will return to the controversial proposal, approved by the

Planning Commission after months of debate, at the next meeting, set for

June 27.

Officials hope to come to some kind of decision at that time.

Residents packed Tuesday’s council meeting, eagerly anticipating

fireworks on the final stretch of the approval process.

Dunes proponents even set up a coffee stand to help supporters get

through the night. However, despite the buzz of nervous anticipation and

caffeine, Planning Commission chairman Ed Selich was the only person to

speak on the Dunes.

Selich condensed six months and hundreds of hours spent by the Planning

Commission’s review into a 40-minute presentation. It received unanimous

approval by commissioners, who made a number of changes to the

$100-million luxury hotel and time-share resort. Many of the changes were

intended to offset the resort’s location near the environmentally

sensitive Back Bay.

The hotel, which would be one of the city’s largest if built, would

include a total of 470 hotel and time-share units. It also would include

a 31,000-square-foot conference center, swimming pools, a health spa and

restaurants. The project is estimated to bring more than $1.4 million in

annual sales tax to the city.

If approved, the resort is scheduled to open within the next three to

five years.

FYI

* What: Newport Beach City Council meeting, with action expected on the

Newport Dunes resort proposal

* When: 6 p.m. June 27

* Where: Council Chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach