HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.1_Moriarty_materials received at planning commission_1Material(s) received after the Planning
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
February 18, 2009
Members of the Newport Beach Planning Commission
Newport Beach City Hall
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, California 92663
RE: Item #4 -- Mr. Richard Moriarty's Parcel Map (PA 2008 -207)
Dear Commissioners:
RECEIVED BY
PLANMNG DEPARTMENT
FEB 19 ZUUS
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
On your agenda for Thursday, February 19, 2009 is an appeal by Mr. Richard Moriarty of 2128 Mesa
Drive in Santa Ana Heights. Mr. Moriarty is appealing three (3) conditions applied by the Zoning
Administrator on December 8, 2008. Two of the conditions relate to Mr. Moriarty's ability to secure and
record appropriate and safe access to his property.
Mr. Moriarty asserts, among other things, that these two conditions, and the requirement itself, are
unnecessary. Respectfully, I believe that recordation and improvement of the access is very necessary.
Today, the "Birch Street Extension" that Mr. Moriarty uses to get to his property is steep and
unimproved. It clearly needs improvement in order for it to be safe for Mr. Moriarty, his family, his
visitors, and the visitors and delivery trucks that visit or will visit his winery (I would note that in no way
does this comment set forth any approval of the operation of a commercial winery at this location —that
is for others to decide).
Mr. Moriarty has options at his disposal to improve the Birch Street Extension and secure permanent,
non - emergency access to 2128 Mesa. He could:
1. Propose and fund a road improvement project himself, one that would appropriately re -grade and
secure the Birch Street Extension. While I am not a legal expert, contrary to what Mr. Moriarty
asserts, I believe that Ms. Carla Brockman does own in Fee the Birch Street Extension and Ms.
Brockman remains willing to quitclaim or sell the Extension to a public agency provided, among
other things, that it is improved and made safe.
2. Seek public funds for the improvement. Similar to the above alternative, € note that the County of
Orange has significant redevelopment ( "RDA ") funds available to improve this Extension, and while I
cannot speak for the County, it remains reasonable for Mr. Moriarty to ask (or ask again) to include
this as a formal project of the RDA.
3. Secure full, non - emergency access over the "Jackass Alley" route, with the approval of his neighbors,
including Ms. Brockman.
City Hall • 3300 Newport Boulevard • Post Office Box 1768
Newport Beach California 92658 -8915 • www.city.newport- beach.ca.us
Improving this Extension will not be easy, but it is achievable. To that end, both the City and the County
believe that the conditions applied by the Zoning Administrator which require successful approval,
improvement, and recordation of the accessway are correct and important to both Mr. Moriarty's
safety, that of his visitors and guests, and to the public's use of the Extension.
Sincerely,
DAVE KiFF
Assistant City Manager