Newport council to study if it has stake in Crystal Cove

June Casagrande

Should the city take a position on Crystal Cove issues even though

most of the park is outside the Newport’s borders?

Environmentalists say yes. But the City Council may not see things

the same way.

In their study session on Tuesday, the City Council will hear a

presentation on the major issues at the state beach and park. When

the presentation is done, the council will consider whether it ought

to take a position.

“To me, this is an issue for our residents because it’s a

recreational amenity that’s nearby,” said Assistant City Manager Dave

Kiff, who will give the presentation on Tuesday.

The study session will include an overview of the major issues at

the park and beach, which falls within Newport Beach, Laguna Beach

and unincorporated Orange County borders.

When the city annexed Newport Coast in January 2003, the expanded

city borders included a portion of Crystal Cove State Park.

This northernmost section of the beach is where most of a battle

over historical preservation and beachfront cottages raged. But since

the state ruled in February that the cottages will be preserved for

public use, this area of Crystal Cove is no longer a source of

substantial controversy.

The beachfront portion of the park that falls within Laguna

Beach’s borders is now the hot spot for controversy, as residents of

the El Morro Village mobile home park fight the California Department

of Parks and Recreation over plans to remove homes when their lease

is up in December 2004, and open the area up as a public beach.

“We would love to see the city of Newport Beach speak in favor of

the [state Parks and Recreation] plan for moving ahead with getting

the trailers out of there,” said Nancy Gardner, spokeswoman and

founder of the Surfrider Foundation’s Newport Beach chapter.

Local Surfrider groups have been working with Friends of the

Newport Coast and other environmental groups to turn the state-owned

property into a public campground.

The inland areas of Crystal Cove State Park are also slated for

work. A bike and hiking trail and an public park with playing fields

are scheduled to be constructed on the county land there, which is

slated to eventually become part of Laguna Beach.

Newport Beach’s power over this state land is limited to drafting

a resolution in support of plans there.

Newport Beach Mayor Steve Bromberg said that he was at first

skeptical about taking a position on these Crystal Cove issues, but

said since he learned that Laguna Beach has not taken official action

on the matter, he feels it wouldn’t be stepping on toes for Newport

Beach to take a position.

Personally, Bromberg said he supports eventually removing the

mobile homes and replacing them with public beaches and campsites,

but he doesn’t support a recreational vehicle facility similar to the

Newport Dunes there.

“If they’re going to take those coaches out of there and open it

up to the public, great, but I wouldn’t want to see 100-foot motor

homes in there,” Bromberg said.

After the study session on Tuesday, the council will decide

whether to bring the matter back to a regular council meeting in the

form of a formal resolution of support.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].