NEWPORT BEACH : Child Care Proposed for Ex-School Site

Dozens of residents who oppose turning former Eastbluff Elementary School into a community college have proposed instead to convert the site into a child-care center.

The alternative, proposed during meetings this week with both the school board and City Council, is being touted by neighbors of the school as a way for Newport-Mesa Unified School District to lease the land and make money from the defunct school site while the neighborhood atmosphere is retained.

The Newport-Mesa district is discussing an informal proposal from the Coast Community College District to lease the site--currently used by the Eastbluff Kindergarten Center--for a Coastline Community College campus.

“There is a tremendous need for child care on this side of the bay,” said resident Scott Daruty, a board member of the North Bluff Park Homeowners Assn., near the site. “Last month we came up here and told you why we didn’t think Coastline was a good idea, but we didn’t have any alternatives. This time we have alternatives.”

Some businesses in nearby Newport Center have sided with homeowners, assuring the board there are many employees in the area who need convenient child care.

“Their need is great and the support broad,” said Cindy Dillion, an employee at Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Newport Center. She took an informal poll of some of her colleagues and found many who were searching for a local child-care site.

On Monday, the residents asked the City Council to join discussions and oppose the college at Eastbluff. However, Newport-Mesa Supt. John W. Nicoll issued a statement to the council Monday warning that such a move would be improper interference with school board activities.

The council took no position on the issue but may discuss it at a future meeting.

The Newport-Costa Mesa YMCA told the council it is interested in pursuing the site for a full-scale child-care facility. The organization reiterated that interest to the school board Tuesday.

The school board will not vote on the issue until a formal proposal is presented by Coastline.

The college hopes to open at Eastbluff in the fall, offering a number of continuing education classes for adults and professionals. Residents have been concerned about increased traffic and noise in their quiet east bay community, but college officials have said such increases would be minor.