Fireworks spark talk of tougher restrictions

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- It’s not often that residents hold private fireworks

displays. In addition to the $1,000 or so per-minute cost of a

professional pyrotechnics show, anyone who wants to put one on must also

carry about $1 million in liability insurance for the event -- sometimes

$2 million.

But while only a handful of people each year find it worth their while

to put on a fireworks show, those who do tend to get a lot of attention,

not all of it good.

On June 9, a private wedding reception at the Pelican Hill Pavilion

drew some cheers and some jeers from residents who thought the 9:45 p.m.

show was too late. In response, City Council members are considering

whether to put in place a formal policy on exactly when, where and how

people can hold private fireworks shows. And, perhaps most important,

they are tackling the sticky question of who should receive notices of

impending explosions in and near their own backyards.

“We got quite a few phone calls about that show, understandable

particularly because of the heightened awareness after Sept. 11,” City

Manager Homer Bludau said. “And right now, the city doesn’t have a policy

regarding these types of fireworks.”

Right now, city staff issue the permits, adhering to some basic

guidelines. At their study session on Tuesday, council members discussed

whether to take this a step further by creating a formal city policy to

ensure that future fireworks displays do not create a nuisance.

With these events in mind, council members on Tuesday discussed

whether to create a policy of formal controls on private shows. Though

they ultimately decided not to decide, postponing the issue for a later

council meeting, one thing was clear: Newport Beach loves fireworks.

“We’re still allowed to have fun here, so let’s keep that alive,” City

Councilman Steve Bromberg said.

Mayor Tod Ridgeway closely echoed his colleague.

“There’s a very strong sentiment for fireworks in this city on the

Fourth of July and beyond,” Ridgeway said.

But some questions still remain, such as what hours should fireworks

shows be allowed and what do you do when someone doesn’t adhere to the

rules, as happened on June 9 when the show, which had a permit to begin

at 9:15 p.m., didn’t start until 9:45.

At a future meeting, council members will consider whether to create a

policy that would prohibit fireworks shows from going past 9 p.m. and

carry penalties for people who violate their permits. One option is to

require anyone requesting a permit to put up a bond of about $2,500,

which would be withheld if they went past their scheduled time. Another

option might be to deny any future fireworks permits to anyone who

violates the law.

The existing rules that require notification of all neighbors within

300 feet of the show also led to last month’s problems. The show was over

the water, which meant no homes were within 300 feet and no one had to be

notified. Though council members might consider looking for better ways

to notify neighbors, it’s likely that they won’t make the rule tougher.

Council members Tuesday and staffers in their report all seemed to agree

that the way to minimize the noise and nuisance of private fireworks

shows is to ensure they don’t go past 9:30 p.m.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She may

be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at o7

[email protected] .

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