A full plate awaits Rosansky

June Casagrande

In a city that is a patchwork of distinct villages, the District 2

area composed of West Newport and Newport Heights is facing some of

the city’s biggest challenges.

Surf culture, a legacy of wild Fourth of July parties and

newsmaker Dennis Rodman have given the area an image as a wild

extension of Surf City, far removed from the elegance of Fashion

Island or the serene beauty of Corona del Mar.

This year’s Fourth of July celebration might have set in motion a

slow, steady reversal of the area’s identity as party central.

Tighter restrictions on liquor sales and consumption, along with

increased penalties for lawbreakers, went a long way toward reining

in crime and over-rowdy behavior. And this crackdown brought the

added benefit of intense media coverage, effectively communicating

the city’s message that outsiders who want to come here to commit

crimes aren’t welcome.

But just as one of the area’s most notorious problems seems to be

getting under control, a series of new challenges is coming into

focus. Traffic on Coast Highway continues to increase. A shortage of

parks and playing fields is being exacerbated by ever-increasing

numbers of people who want to use them. A simmering idea to extend

the concrete boardwalk along the beach threatens to pit beachfront

homeowners against other residents. The area’s disproportionately

high number of rental units have some wondering whether the city

should look for ways to encourage owner occupancy.

Councilman Gary Proctor, who stepped down earlier this month, drew

criticism from some constituents for being inaccessible. Some cited

media reports that alleged that Proctor’s primary residence was not

in Newport Beach but in San Jose.

This power vacuum has now been filled. This past Tuesday the City

Council selected Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commissioner Steven

Rosansky to serve out Proctor’s term, which ends in November 2004.

Young blood and a fresh boost of enthusiasm could prove to be just

what the area needed. But only time will tell whether the District 2

can be steered toward a better tomorrow.

“The challenges are a little more diverse than they were in the

past,” Rosansky said, noting that last year’s redrawing of Council

District 2 added Newport Heights to what had been a district limited

only to West Newport. “The concerns of the residents of District 2

are not as homogeneous as they used to be.”

Sunset Ridge Park could prove to be a divisive issue. The city

effectively acquired the 15 acres of land at Superior Avenue and West

Coast Highway in 2001 after a Senate bill permitted the city to buy

the prime piece of property at its 1966 price of $1.3 million. But officials haven’t decided how it should be developed. Most neighbors

want a quite, passive park without lights or playing fields. Youth

sports leaders are eyeing the parcel as a site that could help

alleviate some of the congestion at other city parks and playing

fields.

Another issue on the horizon is unifying District 2 and residents

throughout Newport Beach, while pitting them against neighbors in

Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley. The local

transportation authority has plans for two bridges to route traffic

to the beach from the Costa Mesa Freeway: the 19th Street Bridge and

the Gisler Bridge. Both promise to help alleviate congestion on Coast

Highway in District 2, thereby saving the city from eventually having

to widen the roadway. During his interview with the City Council on

Tuesday, Rosansky took a strong position on building such a bridge

across the Santa Ana River.

“I think it’s critical for Newport Beach to have that bridge,” he

said.

The city is about to take its first important steps in that

direction. Staff members have been at work preparing a draft

resolution for city officials to consider taking a formal position on

the bridge plan.

“This would basically be a city policy statement on those two

bridges,” City Manager Homer Bludau said.

In the meantime, commercial development continues to grow in

District 2, especially around Hoag Hospital; a movement to put

utilities wires underground is gaining momentum; water pollution

continues to pose a constant challenge; and, of course, next year’s

Fourth of July party will once again require a massive team of extra

cops and extra measures.

“My goal is to represent the people of District 2 as best as I

can,” Rosansky said. “I want to hear their concerns and do the best

job I can with them.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].