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Newport will consider its Crystal Cove influence

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June Casagrande

Three projects planned at Crystal Cove State Park are outside the

city’s jurisdiction but will nonetheless come onto the City Council’s

radar today as council members hear a study session presentation on

the matter.

In the session, the council members will decide if they want to

play a more active role or take an official position on three

projects in the works in the state park.

The 3.5 miles of beach the state Department of Parks and

Recreation operates is the site of 46 cottages that date back to the

1930s.

San Francisco-based developer Michael Freed once eyed the site for

a $35-million luxury resort, but public opposition ultimately killed

that plan. The California Coastal Commission in 2001 helped foot the

$2-million cost for State Parks officials to buy out Freed’s rights

to build on the land.

Through a series of public workshops, officials have drawn up the

current plan to restore the historic cottages and make them available

to the public. The 12.3-acre Crystal Cove Historic District that

hosts the cottages is within the Newport Beach limits.

“In general, I’m in favor of the public being able to use public

park space,” Councilman Don Webb said. But he added that it remains

unclear what the city’s role might be in guiding Crystal Cove’s

future.

The El Morro Village Trailer Park is among the more controversial

issues at Crystal Cove. State Parks plans to end its leases with the

owners of 294 trailers there on Dec. 31, 2004. That would clear the

way for environmental restoration of the land and creation of a

60-unit campground, parking and beach access.

The area is outside of Newport Beach city limits, more closely

aligned with Laguna Beach, but some local environmental groups have

asked that the Newport Beach City Council offer an opinion to support

the state’s plan.

The third item is a park planned for the area that would border

Newport Beach and would probably include playing fields and other

amenities. The park, which the Irvine Co. would construct, isn’t

scheduled to be built for about five or six years.

“I am not sure why this is before us in the form of a study

session because it’s outside our borders and we have no authority

outside our borders,” Mayor Steve Bromberg said about all three

items. “Generally, Newport Beach does not take a position on issues

outside our borders unless it’s something for the common good.”

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

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

[email protected].

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