Environmental impact report released for Newport Center development

The 150 Newport Center development, which proposes to build 49 residential units in a seven-story building near Fashion Island, would not have a significant negative impact on views, noise or traffic, according to draft environmental documents released this month.

The development is proposed to replace the Beacon Bay Auto Wash and adjacent gas station on Newport Center Drive, near Anacapa Drive.

The proposal by Newport Center Anacapa Associates LLC would include 10 townhomes on the first two levels, 35 condominiums on Levels 3 through 6 and four penthouses on Level 7. All the townhomes are designed to be three bedrooms; the condos would be two or three bedrooms.

“The EIR for 150 Newport Center backs up everything we have been saying all along,” Michael Lutton, principal for Newport Center Anacapa Associates LLC, said in a prepared statement.

The environmental impact report, published by the city May 12, outlines potential impacts to noise, views, traffic, ascetics, air quality, biological and cultural resources, as well as several other factors that could arise from the project.

The report will be available for public review and comment until June 27. After the written comment period, the city will publish responses and send the final environmental impact report to the Planning Commission and City Council.

The project, which in its early days was referred to as Newport Center Villas, is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission in July and then to the City Council in August.

Some residents have previously raised concerns about traffic and parking impacts, the change in the view of Newport Center and an increase in water use.

The report found that the project, located in a “highly urbanized area,” would not represent a substantial change in the views seen from East Coast Highway, which is considered to be a scenic highway, toward Newport Center.

The report determined that noise from the completed development would not exceed city standards, though the project would contribute to off-site noise resulting from vehicle traffic generated by residents, visitors, employees and delivery vehicles.

It also noted that the car wash on the site is responsible for stationary noise related to the vehicle dryers and vacuums, concluding that the development would be less noisy than the current use.

“Residential land uses are not typically associated with the generation of substantial stationary noise,” the report states.

It is noted in the report that construction noise could be a possible significant impact to surrounding neighbors, but the disruption would be temporary.

Traffic and water use would be reduced under the proposed development, according to the draft report.

The 150 Newport Center project would generate about 9,470 gallons of wastewater per day, while the site’s existing car wash is estimated to generate about 11,156 gallons per day.

Car trips would also decrease from 819 per day on average to about 205, according to the draft report.

“This project reduces water consumption, reduces traffic, does not impede any existing view lines, and offers an excellent alternative for residents who want to enjoy the luxury of living in Newport Beach in a more compact and efficient footprint,” Lutton said in the prepared statement.

To review the environmental impact report, visit newportbeach.ca.gov.