HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/29/1947i4
The Newport Beach City Planning Commission..met.for an adjourned meeting
Yonday, September 29, 191,7, in the Council Chamber, City Hall, with
Chairman Longmoor presiding.
ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Copelin, Daniell, Ellerbroek, Johnson, Longmoor, '
Pleger, and Rudd.
Commissioners absent: Baltz, and Wightman.
As the meeting was for the purpose of discussion and study for the re-
commendation for a Planning Consultant, and, specifically on the firm of
Raymond Loewy Organization, and Mr. Gordon Whitnall, other business was
dispensed with. Secretary Ellerbroek first reported on information re-
ceived from Mr. Ronald H. Cleveland, of the Raymond Loewy Organization,
on estimated costs for their services. Previous discussion had.given
their estimate at approximately five hundred hours for the preliminary
survey, and, Mr. Cleveland outlined htis more fully for Secretary Eller-
broek, as forty hours for the investigation of present plans, as well as
the County's and States'(anything that would affect Newport), one hund-
red hours for organization of the data thus assembled; ninety hours to
weigh all the factors of the -'above; seventy hours for the preparation
of a report and a suggested schedule for future action to define all the
problems of the City. (This report would also be sent to their head of-
fice in New York City for study). The final eighty hours would be re-
quired for the final report. Approzimately two- thirds of the time would
be on the basis of `12.50 per hours, and, the balance at $8.50 per hour.
Secretary Ellerbroek further reported that Mr. Cleveland stated that
Loewy Organization would work out any arrangements agreeable to the Cify
of Newport Beach, and, that one man working full time, would be at the '
maximum rate of $750.00 per month; and, if appointed they will.bring a
Planning Staff'from New York to establish more extensive offices on the
Coast, (they have thirty employees in Los Angeles now). Commissioner
Copelin brought out the question "what do the people in New York know
about our problems here ? ", which Secretary Ellerbroek answered, "The New
York office has a board for recording all designing problems, for com-
parison and research, and, sending our reports there would not only give
their office a check on the work here4L but, similar problems elsewhere
could be incorporated for our reports." Commissioner Copelin further
stated, "We have had few dollars to work with, and, now we are going
into a program that is going to cost the City money, and, what assurance
do we have of enforcement? Our violations are not being enforced now."
Chairman Longmoor stated that 'enforcement' is not the`Dommission's pro-
blem, and Commissioner Pleger agreed, adding "if we had a broad plan to
follow the violations would be less." Chairman Longmoor said, "He must
anticipate these problems and have a Consultant to advise us." Commis-
sioner Daniell requested information on which cities the Loewy Organiza-
tion has servedm which,Secreta.ry Ellerbroek answered, "Portland, Maine;
Atlantic City; St. Paul; and Philadelphia "; that Atlantic City is now in
its second phase of its program, being financed by the railroads.that run
into the city. The Commission requested the Secretary to send telegrams
to these four cities for information on the Loewy Organization.
Secretary Ellerbroek then reported that he had talked with Mr. Gordon
Whitnall, for clarification of his work, and that Mr. Whitnall had stated '
that his program is for'the preliminary survey to be done by the city it-
self, under his suprevision, that he would come down for $200.00 per month
retainer, and, after the preliminary survey, he would gather and make his
report, with further work to be done under his supervision and direction.
Chairman Longmoor stated that he had also discussed Mr. Whitnall's work
with the Mayor of Anaheim, who recommended him highly.
Chairman Longmoor stated that apparently the matter resolved-itself into
whether "we could get a man to carry out Whitnall's program ", to which .
Mr. Webb said that the two programs, Loewy's and Whitnall's, could cost .
the same ultimately, so Chairman Longmoor said, "it comes down to two
plans; the Whitnall one would develop as we go along, and arrive in
about two years, at about the same results as the Loewy one ".
Chairman Longmoor reported that he had contacted Mr. Davis, County Plan-
ning Consultant, who stated "everything is reaching a.point where the
County wants to help ", and suggested employing fir. Terrell, (now Plan-
ning "onsultant. for The Irvine Company), and,:.also suggested contacting
Walter M. Blucker, Chicago; S. H. Mott, Washington DC; H. E. Kincaide,
Chicago; and H. W- Stevens, Dayton.
Commissioner Johnson stated that in 1928, while he was Mayor of Newport,
that the City paid Mr. Whitnall $2,400.00 for plans for the City, which
were apparently 'tabled' with nothing further done about them, and, that
it would be interesting to find them now for comparison; that he liked
Mr. Whitnall, but, would rather recommend further investigation, and,
suggested contacting Mr. L. Deming Tilton; further stating, "116 have an
ordinance that is in force, but we done get anywhere, and before we spend
$52000.00, we should have some assurance that enforcement will be taken
care of ". Chairman Longmoor answered, "Think one of the things we need
is an 'overhaul' of the ordinances, for clarification and interpretation,
for we have many problems coming up."
Commissioner Daniell requested information on San Diego�a Planning Depart-
, ment, and Commissioner Longmoor volunteered to secure this. Commissioner
Copelin said that he felt that the way to get the best results is to have
someone here who knows our problems, reports from outside would know our
problems. Commissioner Rudd asked, "Have we any assurance that the Coun-
cil will 'o.k.' this ? ", and was answered, "No, we will have to sell them
on it." Commissioner Johnson said, "Lets get some more facts, some more
information, before we make any decisions."
Commissioner Pleger made the motion for adjournment to the next regular ADJOURNMENT
meeting, Thursday, October 16, 1947. Motion seconded by Commissioner
Copelin, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Philmer J. Ellerbroek, Secretary
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