Residents can voice noise concerns at meeting

After hearing complaints about noise and parking problems surrounding Corona del Mar restaurants, Newport Beach City Councilwoman Nancy Gardner planned a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Newport Beach Central Library to hear from residents. Gardner will ask residents about their concerns and suggestions, and she’ll take that information to a later meeting with restaurant operators.

A recent dispute over whether Panini Cafe should be allowed to expand led Gardner to schedule the meeting, she said, but she’s been hearing about the issue for a year.

“It’s all tied basically to the parking,” she said. “Nobody’s saying ‘that particular restaurant is noisy’ per se, but because most restaurants don’t have parking, people park on the street.”

City police and code enforcement officers also will attend the meeting to answer residents’ questions about how to handle complaints. The meeting will be at the central library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

— Alicia Robinson