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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA2017-228 Comment 37_04232019_HatchFrom: Karol Hatch <karolhatch@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 4:18 PM To: Zdeba, Benjamin; Hatch Karol Subject: Condo and apt project Bonita Canyon Dear Benjamin, I am a resident of Harvor View (Port Streets) and I am writing to express my opposition and extreme concern as to the condos or apartments being considered on the corner of MacArthur and Bonita Canyon. I was here in 1996/1997 when that entire area was negotiated with the Irvine Company (Carol Hoffman and the city) to be park/open space and Bonita Canyon area annexed. It was part of the resolution to keep open space, and to add the sports park due to the tremendous need for parks and fields for sporting activities. For background, the area now known as Bonita Canyon Sports Park (the banana parcel) was originally proposed to be either “affordable housing” or possibly zoned for a school. Instead, (thankfully), the residents of Newport Beach stuck together and fought to have much needed sports parks and open space —-as traffic, and environmental issues were at play for that general area during the Irvine/Bonita Canyon annex situation. Those same circumstance still stand. If anything, the traffic is now obviously much worse than in 1996/97 with the addition of the Bonita Canyon neighborhood, the Newport Bluffs apartments on MacArthur, the new developments along Bonita Canyon/Culver back by UCI and the 73 Toll Road. The Bonita Canyon parks have been tremendously needed and utilized over the past 20 years by organizations such as AYSO, Little League, as well Club sports organizations. The area has also been a vital addition to the residents who have been able to access the open trails, public parks, as well as the tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. The parking is already at a maximum on Ford Road and adjacent streets (weekdays during practice times for sports and on weekends for games). The small parking lot at the end of Ford Road is insufficient to handle the parking for sporting events as it is now. The traffic back up during morning commute times leaving Harbor View (Ford Road/Mesa View) is already a cause for concern without additional traffic from condos or apartments! If anything, that space and area needs more parks, more parking and more pickle ball courts-(you should see the pickle ball court wait times!) not apartments and condos shoved into a tiny parcel of land. Has there been a completed traffic study, and or an Environmental Impact Report? The proposed apartments or condos will not only negatively impact the residents of Harbor View and Bonita Canyon, but they will also impact Newport Beach residents (and others) have who been able to enjoy the sports parks and open space. Please email me when this issue will be coming before city council, as I am highly opposed to this. Thank you, Karol Hatch Karolhatch@gmail.com