Marinapark lands more naysayers

Marisa O’Neil

Residents have formed a group to try to block construction of a

proposed 110-room hotel on the Balboa Peninsula.

Earlier this month, the organization called Protect Our Parks

quietly sprung from controversy over the proposed Marinapark

bay-front development, which would occupy public land near the

American Legion Hall.

Tom Billings, the group’s spokesman, said members plan to make

their presence known at a public hearing tonight on Marinapark’s

environmental impact report during the City Council meeting.

“We have to protect parklands that are being taken away for

development,” Billings said. “There are precious few [parks] left in

the city, and it’s a great cause for concern to have this happen.”

The land currently features a public beach, tot lot, four tennis

courts, a half-basketball court, a mobile home park, American Legion

Hall and a Girl Scout facility. Under the proposed plan, the city

would lease the land to developers, who would build the luxury

resort.

If it goes ahead, the mobile home park would close permanently, as

would the basketball court. The beach, tennis courts and playground

would close during construction, then be relocated nearby, according

to staff reports.

Developer Marinapark LLC has agreed to rebuild the American Legion

Hall and Girl Scout facility, Councilman Steve Bromberg said, and the

beach would still be public.

The council will hear public comment on the recently released

environmental report tonight. A second hearing will be held July 27,

when the City Council will consider certifying the report. If

approved, it will go on the November ballot.

It is not subject to a Greenlight vote -- a growth-control law

that would require a public vote on the project. It has, however,

come under more scrutiny -- including environmental reports and

Planning Commission review -- than any project Bromberg’s seen.

“I’ve never seen a project under as close a microscope as this,”

he said.

Billings, also a Greenlight member, said Protect Our Parks is not

affiliated with the group, but both oppose the project.

Billings said the city is rushing approval of the report to get

the project on the November ballot. He wants more research into

alternative plans, like building a boathouse for public use or

leaving the space from 18th to 16th streets along the bay as a park.

“This is going to affect people citywide,” he said. “If it happens

on the peninsula, it can happen in Newport Coast or Newport Heights

or anywhere else.”