Newport Beach : Apartment Project Gets Conditional Approval

The California Coastal Commission has unanimously approved an Irvine Co. application for a permit to build 154 apartments on a 12-acre site on Coast Highway near the intersection of Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach.

Actual granting of the permit, which will be valid for two years, is contingent on the developer providing an additional 11 guest parking spaces, conducting an archeological inspection of the site and submitting revised drainage plans to the commission.

Because the site could contain “significant archeological remains,” according to costal planner Teresa Henry, a survey to determine the possible artifact content there will be conducted. Depending on what is found, the Irvine Co. could be required to avoid building on certain portions of the site, excavate the artifacts and donate them to a nonprofit institution, or cancel development altogether, she said.

Additionally, the developer will have to submit a revised plan for drainage of sewage from the site, Henry said. Original plans called for the Irvine Co. to utilize existing sewer hookups leading to Upper Newport Bay. However, the commission voted to require the company either to redirect drainage to the lower bay or come up with a plan to minimize the environmental impact on the upper bay.

No timetable has been established for the developer to submit revised drainage plans to the Coastal Commission, but a proposal could be formulated within six months, said Dave Dmohowski, government relations manager for the Irvine Co.