ST. ANDREW’S EXPANSION PROJECT The saga of...

ST. ANDREW’S EXPANSION PROJECT

The saga of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church’s quest for a

22,000-square-foot expansion continues tonight as the Planning

Commission considers allowing the church to make amendments to its

original application.

St. Andrew’s, which neighbors Newport Harbor High School, wants to

expand its current grounds to include a youth center and additional

parking on and off site. In December, the Planning Commission

recommended the expansion plan, but added among its conditions that

the church had to forge a parking agreement with Newport-Mesa Unified

School District.

The church offered Newport-Mesa $3.5 million to expand the high

school parking lot in exchange for the school sharing it with the

church for 30 years. On April 12, however, the board of education

voted not to rule on the parking agreement until St. Andrew’s had

resolved the overall expansion issue.

Two weeks later, the City Council, which has ultimate authority in

the matter, opted to send the expansion plan back to the Planning

Commission for reevaluation. Tonight, the commission will vote on

whether to accept changes in parking provisions in the resolution it

adopted last December. St. Andrew’s wants to amend the resolution to

require either 400 additional parking spaces on its own site, or a

possible agreement with the school district in the future.

WHAT TO EXPECT

At the City Council’s meeting April 26, members voted unanimously

to send the St. Andrew’s matter back to the Planning Commission.

However, at least one member said he wanted the Planning Commission

to resolve the issue before it could bounce back to the City Council

again. Whether the commission makes a definite decision, expect

public comments from a number of residents. Since St. Andrew’s first

floated its expansion plan, neighbors have been divided into two

camps: those who would welcome more parking at the church and the

school, and those who believe that the construction would cause

noise, pollution and additional traffic problems.

RED ROCK

LIQUOR LICENSE

The Red Rock Chili Company at Fashion Island, located in Atrium

Court, is seeking a permit to sell beer and wine. Carol Collis,

co-owner of the restaurant chain, said several of her other Red Rock

restaurants have licenses to sell alcohol.

“Because chili and beer go well together,” she said, “it’s part of

our menu mix.”

WHAT TO EXPECT

A yes vote. The Newport Beach Police Department has already given

Red Rock permission to seek a liquor license, and Collis said she

expects no difficulty with the Planning Commission.