NEWPORT BEACH : Assemblyman Wins Tussle Over Gate

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) was part of the local milieu recently when he and his wife, Anita, waited through a lengthy City Council meeting to win approval for the front gate of their Balboa Island home.

At issue since last spring has been the gate that encloses their carport. The carport itself was inadvertently built one foot too short and a few inches too narrow, making it inconsistent with the city code. The Fergusons had sought approval from the modifications committee.

But a problem arose when the committee required the gate on the carport to be a sliding door. The couple preferred having swinging doors that open inward.

The sliding-versus-swinging gate debate went on nearly one year in City Hall, working its way in and out of both the Planning Commission and the City Council twice, plus a few rounds at the modifications committee.

“This is really, really silly,” said Councilman John W. Hedges at last week’s council meeting, bringing chuckles of comic relief to a tense discussion. “The case of Gil’s gate, sliding or swinging, who cares.”

As the assemblyman and his wife watched, the council voted 4 to 2 to allow the nonconforming gate to stand. Councilwomen Ruthelyn Plummer and Jean H. Watt were opposed, and Councilwoman Evelyn Hart abstained.