Newport approves Hyatt expansion plans

The Newport Beach City Council has unanimously approved the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach’s $50-million expansion project over the objections of Irvine officials.

Attorneys for Irvine sent Newport Beach a 41-page letter Tuesday asking the council to put off approving the project because it claims that the city has not done the proper research on what kind of environmental impact the project would have on the surrounding area.

The letter raised questions about traffic and pollution the project might cause.

The council late Tuesday voted to approve the project, which would include 88 new time-share units.

The city will cull millions of dollars in development fees from the project from developers JGKallins Newport Investments and Sunstone Jamboree.

Expansion plans for the resort overlooking Newport Bay at 1107 Jamboree Road also include an 800-seat ballroom and a 10,000-square-foot spa. The project, which has been in the works for three years, also will have to gain approval from the California Costal Commission. No firm date for groundbreaking has been set.

The developers will give Newport Beach $3 million in fees in exchange for the rights to build the 88 time-share units. Newport Beach also would get $2 million in fees for building a public marina in Marina Park and $100,000 for improving public bay front walkways.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.