Center parks library plan

Folks who visit the proposed Newport Coast community center won’t

have to remember to bring their library cards. That’s the upside.

The downside is that plans to build a public library in the

17,000-square-foot facility have been shelved.

The design of the $7-million center, which is scheduled to be

considered by the Newport Beach City Council at Tuesday’s meeting,

still includes a gym with a theater stage and bleachers to seat 270,

three community meeting rooms and enough space to park 93 cars.

But according to county building codes, that’s not enough parking.

Even with another 30 spaces gained by paving over the site where the

library would have been, the center falls shy of the county’s

required 145. Looks like parking is already a problem at the new

community center.

Those planning the center are trying to fix it so people won’t

have to work up a sweat looking for parking -- they can save it for

the gym.

Or maybe they’ll opt to just stay home and read a good book.