NEWPORT BEACH : Group Will Support Hospital Expansion

Residents on Monday announced the formation of Hoag 2010, a group that will support Hoag Hospital in upcoming public hearings on the hospital’s long-range development plans.

“I had a concern that people who supported the hospital stand up and be counted,” said former Newport Beach Mayor Jackie Heather, co-chairwoman of Hoag 2010, named for the year the hospital hopes to complete its long-range development plans. “The hospital’s been here for everybody in this city.”

Next month, the Planning Commission will hold hearings on the hospital’s master plan, a guide to future development that the city and the California Coastal Commission required the hospital to update.

If approved, the master plan will set height and size limits for future construction on about 22 acres of undeveloped land the hospital owns, mostly along West Coast Highway.

Under the plan, buildings along the highway may not obstruct the scenic view offered from a bike trail there. On the main property, buildings may be as high as the current 10-story tower, and officials say structures there now would probably be leveled to make way for new ones.

Currently, the 20-year plan is in only skeleton form and contains no specific proposals for building construction or uses. Specific plans will be introduced over the next 20 years as the hospital decides to expand, officials said.

But the master plan does envision a park along the existing bike trail and calls for a new park area at the end of the trail where the bluff reaches its highest point, offering a prime view of both the ocean and Lower Newport Bay.

Residents of the Versailles, Villa Balboa and Sea Faire condominiums adjacent to the hospital have expressed concern about the hospital’s plans and fear that future development may block their ocean views. Additionally, they say it could bring more traffic and crowding to the area.

The residents also have said they are concerned about wetlands below the cliffs. Size estimates vary, but between one and three acres of wetlands would be eliminated if the land is developed, hospital officials said.

Most of the 700 residents of the nearby condominiums say they are not opposed to the hospital’s expansion but want to ensure that their homes will not be adversely affected by future plans.

Hospital officials said they have been meeting with residents and plan to continue meeting with them during the hearing process.