NEWPORT BEACH : Residents Concerned About Retail Center

Residents of some neighborhoods near the site proposed for a major retail center say they are worried that the project will bring traffic and parking problems, and they are taking their concerns to the Planning Commission.

The 105,000-square-foot Irvine Co. project near MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway would contain large general merchandise, apparel and food stores, as well as fast-food outlets. At completion, the center would generate a projected $360,000 a year in tax revenue.

“The biggest issue is that it does not have sufficient parking,” said Jon Robertson, a board member of the Harbor View Hills Community Assn. “They have not figured the correct ratio of parking spaces per square foot for the types of businesses they are going to have.”

Planning commissioners, who will review the project’s environmental impact report today, also express some reservations.

“I question whether there is adequate information in the impact report to address their concerns at this time,” Commissioner Todd Ridgeway said. “Residents have brought up good issues.”

The main entrance for the retail center would be on MacArthur Boulevard, a major thoroughfare that passes the south side of Fashion Island and the Central Library.

Several residents say that the MacArthur access would cause traffic congestion and encourage drivers to cut through their neighborhoods.

Ridgeway said that design elements in the project aim to alleviate those concerns--a raised median on MacArthur that would not allow turning onto residential areas, for example.

But members of the Corona del Mar Residents Assn. argue that, because of increased traffic on MacArthur, the city may decide to widen it, which would adversely affect them.

The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd.