Mailbag: Dock fees are a bargain compared to other options

Re. “Dock fee reduction on agenda for Newport Beach City Council,” (Feb. 7):

I am confident that the majority of the waterfront homeowners in Newport are honest people, individuals who would only want to participate in leasing arrangements that are fair and aboveboard.

Any thought to the contrary means that they would want to take advantage of their waterfront position for financial benefit not available to others, paying rates that are under market value. I am confident that these homeowners are not that sort.

Let’s look at the benefits they are enjoying. Waterfront homeowners are effectively renting recreational vehicle storage space from the city. No more. No less. In their case, their recreational vehicles happen to float. And these rental facilities happen to be attached to their private residences. No one would question that this is very convenient.

Many non-waterfront residents in the city also own floating recreational vehicles. For these residents, their best option is to rent space at the closest storage facility. Of course, these public access facilities would not be attached to their residences. Everyone can appreciate the true and actual cost of storing a (rolling or floatable) recreational vehicle in the immediate area.

I called around and got some quotes based on a 30-foot recreational vehicle. Figures for dry storage include $2,460 and $3,369 a year. And in-the-water (dock) storage on an annual lease, prepaid, is $8,352 per year.

It’s pretty clear that as you get closer to the water, the price increases. This is the true market rate, if you are not a waterfront homeowner, to store a 30-foot boat in Newport Harbor.

The proposed cost in 2017 for waterfront homeowners (with an 800-square foot slip) would be $5,040 a year. At the current rate, an annual lease would cost $4,848.

Bottom line? At the 2017 rates, waterfront homeowners would enjoy an annualized savings of $3,312 under the current market rate. These waterfront homeowners are complaining about a $16 per month increase in 2017 rental costs to have private and exclusive access to a rental facility attached their primary residence.

Stop the manipulation by calling this a tax. It’s rent, and they are renters. Just like the rest of the world. So be fair. Pay up.

Paul Cain

Newport Beach