ON THE AGENDA COIN-OPERATED TELESCOPES Revisiting...

ON THE AGENDA

COIN-OPERATED TELESCOPES

Revisiting an issue that drew some controversy last month, the

Newport Beach City Council will consider whether to change its vendor

of coin-operated telescopes at city parks, piers and other locations.

City staff have recommended taking the contract away from its vendor

of more than 50 years, Carden Coin Telescope, and giving it to Tower

Optical.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

A Carden representative last month made a good case to council

members on why they should continue their business relationship.

Nonetheless, staffers have reaffirmed their previous recommendation

that the city switch. Council members may or may not agree.

FORD ROAD-AREA IMPROVEMENTS

Council members will consider a series of administrative steps

toward making improvements in the area of Ford and Jamboree roads.

They will vote on six items, all of them to release bond money, to

move ahead with improvements for the area.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

All six items are on the consent calendar, which is supposed to

signify a slam dunk. But the scope of improvements and the red tape

involved are complicated enough that any of a number of details could

turn into a stumbling block.

GUEST COTTAGE KITCHENS

Pacific Bay Homes was shot down by the Planning Commission when it

asked whether it could put kitchens in 11 guest cottages it is

building as part of the One Ford Road development. The developer has

appealed to the City Council, which will take its first look at the

issue tonight.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Tonight’s discussion on the matter will be a public hearing.

Council members probably won’t vote on the issue until a subsequent

meeting.

HOAG HOSPITAL EXPANSION

Hoag developers say they need a little more room than a previous

city agreement allowed them for their expansion and the addition of

the Hoag Women’s Pavilion. Hospital representatives want the city to

subtract from their maximum buildable floor area portions of the

hospital that will house only equipment and utilities. They say this

can be done without affecting the community because utility rooms

don’t generate traffic.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Tonight’s discussion is a public hearing, which probably will just

lay the groundwork for a vote at a future council meeting.

-- Compiled by June Casagrande