Porsche dealership proposal that drew neighbors’ objections is back before planners
Newport Beach planning commissioners on Thursday will again consider a proposal to build a Porsche dealership along Mariners’ Mile that has drawn scrutiny from Bayshores and Kings Road residents.
AutoNation has proposed building a 35-foot-tall automobile sales and service facility between 320 and 600 W. Coast Hwy. The dealership would include a showroom, an outdoor vehicle display, offices and a parking structure for car storage and employees.
If approved, the project would replace a linen store, a consignment shop, a dog food retailer and a European collectible car dealer that city staff said underutilize the property.
Planning commissioners first considered the new dealership Aug.18 but postponed their vote to give AutoNation time to consider changing the building’s exterior design, which some commissioners considered too dark and out of place.
AutoNation also was instructed to get feedback from neighboring communities.
Dozens of residents who attended the August meeting raised concerns about the potential for noise, light, air pollution and increased traffic along West Coast Highway stemming from the proposed development. Others opposed the dark exterior colors and the building height.
In response to feedback from the Planning Commission and the community, AutoNation replaced the planned black siding with medium gray, added an auto lift lobby to screen the retaining wall from neighbors and added a larger rooftop cover in an effort to address concerns about noise and exhaust floating to nearby homes.
AutoNation also operates a Porsche, Audi and Bentley dealership at 445 E. Coast Hwy., just past Mariners’ Mile. The city has fined AutoNation several times over the years for off-property deliveries and employee parking, according to a city staff report.
If the Planning Commission approves the new dealership, Porsche would move from the current AutoNation on East Coast Highway.
“Moving the Porsche brand off the site will allow them to better comply with existing conditions, allowing employees to park onsite and transport vehicles to access the site more readily,” city staff wrote.
Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting begins at 6:30p.m. at the Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive.
Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
