Letters to the Editor: City Council appears to have pledged its allegiance to developers

Two recent letters extol the virtues of the high-rise, high-density Koll Residences project that will soon be in front of the city for approval (“Koll Center Residences would be a good addition for Newport Beach,” Jan. 5). Both contain incomplete information that deserves to be corrected.

While the Koll project will not impact Coast Highway traffic, it will impact traffic on Jamboree Road and MacArthur Boulevard. Both are vital traffic corridors that are increasingly gridlocked and have yet to see the effect of the 1,244 new apartments under construction nearby.

This project will not replace any existing structure, but will add three high-rise towers of luxury condos that will be built on a surface parking lot in the middle of an existing business park.

Although the General Plan in 2006 was approved by voters, the ballot question asked if residents would like to remove traffic and density and failed entirely to mention that 2,200 additional dwelling units were being added to this area of the city. These dwelling units are “floating” units that the City Council can assign to any property. If they are not built at this site, they will re-enter the “floating” pool for future use elsewhere.

Activist Susan Skinner is absolutely right to ask if the City Council will protect the interests of residents or the interests of developers. After the Museum House debacle in 2016, when the council tried to block the referendum with a 10-pound petition, I think the council has already declared its allegiance to big money and big development. The rest of us would appreciate equal consideration for our quality of life instead.

Lynn Swain

Newport Beach

Thank goodness for Dave Hansen’s columns

I just had to write to you to let you know how much I enjoy Dave Hansen’s articles in our Daily Pilot.

There is not much to our local paper anymore, so it is a treat when his column appears. I especially enjoyed his article on “smokers” in Laguna Beach — a long time ago but still made a lot of sense (“Column: Laguna Beach tries to ban human nature,” May 16). I hope he keeps writing.

Helen McCrimmon

Newport Beach

Park Plaza is a good addition to L.B.

Park Plaza is proof that creativity and a friendly atmosphere survive in Laguna Beach. What a joy I experienced when some Swedish tourists giggled with delight at viewing the plaza as part of their distant, European-type of lifestyle. How proud to see a local skateboarder grab a seat and feel life without a cell phone. Yes, old and new Laguna rock!

Paul Merritt

Laguna Beach

Shanghai Pine served delicious dishes

I thoroughly enjoyed your Sunday read about the background of the Lee family and their Shanghai Pine Gardens Restaurant (“Patriarch of Wahoo’s Fish Taco family has a tale of hard work and good fortune,” Jan. 7). Have many memories of fine meals.

Pete Rabbitt

Newport Beach

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