City kicks old driveways to the curb

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- As part of a $1.5-million face-lift, residents in Corona

Highlands have been told to get rid of the unsightly metal ramps that

bridge their old-fashioned rolled curbs.

About a year ago, the city decided to repair the old pipes and repave the

cracked streets in the community that was built in the 1940s. When public

works officials surveyed the community, they noticed a number of metal

ramps and concrete slanted blocks bridging the rolled driveways.

“In the 1940s and 1950s, the rolled curb was the common one to use,” said

Don Webb, the city’s public works director. “The purpose was to put your

wheel up on it if you were parking. Some people felt it looked more

aesthetic, too.”

But the driveways have become a nightmare for modern vehicles, which are

lower to the ground and prone to scraping the ground each time they make

the bumpy ride over the curb. So, many residents constructed homemade

ramps to make the ride gentler.

However, Webb said, the ramps are illegal and could lead to a lawsuit if

someone gets injured falling over one.

The city decided to help residents get cut driveways to replace the

rolled curbs. The city will pay a maximum of $250, which is approximately

half the cost for the upgrade.

“I think most people would feel, ‘If we can get rid of those ugly curbs

and make it easier to access our garages, then that’s wonderful,’ ” said

Councilman Dennis O’Neil.

So far, it appears O’Neil is right. City officials sent about 250

questionnaires to residents, informing them of the option to improve

their curbs. About 80 residents have responded and the majority want a

new sloped driveway. Only 20 said they don’t want to change their rolled

driveway.

Webb said they hope to have the entire renovation finished by January

2001.