Here are some of the decisions...
Here are some of the decisions coming out of Tuesday’s Newport
Beach City Council meeting.
EZ-LUBE APPEAL
WHAT HAPPENED
Perhaps the most-anticipated decision of the evening will have to
be anticipated a little longer. An appeal by the owner of EZ-Lube to
build an auto service station in Corona del Mar was postponed for a
month to allow company representatives more time to make their case.
Specifically, said EZ-Lube attorney and Santa Monica City Councilman
Ken Genser, the company wanted to mobilize its local supporters to
testify in favor of building the business at 3600 E. Coast Highway.
WHAT IT MEANS
Sometime next month, the matter will come back to the council. The
Planning Commission has already denied the business’ request to waive
some parking requirements. Council members warned that the city, as a
rule, isn’t inclined to ease up on parking restrictions.
WHAT THEY SAID
“I challenge you to find any resident who will speak in support of
this project,” Councilman Dennis O’Neil said.
PLANNING, PARKS COMMISSIONS
WHAT HAPPENED
A subcommittee named the four people who will vie for two open
seats on city commissions. Jeff Cole and Michael Toerge are
candidates to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. William
Garrett and Christopher Sarris are the contenders for an open seat on
the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.
WHAT IT MEANS
The vote only confirms the nominations. Council members will vote
next month on which candidates will win the appointments.
MARINER’S MILE
WHAT HAPPENED
A plan to keep Mariner’s Mile true to its name took a step forward
Tuesday when council members approved an item to consider creating a
boat “superstore” in the area. After a feasibility study, council
members might decide to lease land in the area and in turn sublease
it to boat dealers.
WHAT IT MEANS
The idea, staff said, is to find a way to make sure that Mariner’s
Mile continues to be an area dedicated to nautical businesses and
uses.
CABLE PRESENTATION
The city’s cable consultant gave council members an update on a
cable needs assessment now underway in the city. Sue Buske, president
of the Buske Group, laid out some details of a recent phone survey in
the city, as well as ongoing focus group meetings. But questions of
programming, service and rates took a back seat to an issue in the
forefront of council members’ minds: What does the Adelphia
bankruptcy mean for local subscribers? The answer: Not much.
Adelphia representative Phil Urbina addressed the council to
assure residents and officials that the company will continue to
provide the same service to its Newport Beach customers despite the
bankruptcy reorganization. And, others pointed out, there has been no
indication that Cox Cable, which provides service to about half the
city, wants to step in to serve Adelphia customers should Adelphia
disappear from Newport Beach.
WHAT IT MEANS
The telecommunication-needs assessment, when complete, will arm
officials who renegotiate the city’s cable contracts later this year.
With residents’ input on what types of local programming they want
and other cable TV and Internet concerns, officials will wrangle to
get the best deal they can with cable providers.
WHAT THEY SAID
“Our job is to make the reorganization transparent to our
customers,” said Phil Urbina of Adelphia cable, regarding the
company’s bankruptcy.
Compiled by June Casagrande
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