Speaking up where challengers are needed

I believe our city government should treat all residents equitably. I

have become increasingly frustrated by what I perceive as a lack of

equal treatment of residents by the city government. Nowhere was this

more evident than at the May 22 meeting of the Newport Beach Planning

Commission.

A party who had replaced two three-story maxi-duplexes with a

beautiful two-story home with a full patio roof at the 20-foot level

was denied an occupancy permit because they waterproofed an elevator

outlet and enclosed and incorporated an authorized shower into a

minimal toilet/shower room. The 100-square-foot addition was

incorporated into a flat-roofed structure with minimal view hindrance

compared to the three story previous duplexes. The additional

construction, although Newport Beach inspection signed off, was

apparently not authorized, and with a flat-roof design presently

exceeds the height limit. The addition could have been made legal

with a slant roof: This would have only further restricted community

views. The neighbors nearly universally supported the application for

a variance from the city. When buildings were observed from across

the channel, it is clear numerous three-story slant roof view

blocking homes and several homes with cupolas have been allowed.

Variances are so prevalent the situation is called “mansionization.”

The denial of a variance in the present case, denies an occupancy

permit and causes real hardship, but still the permit was denied.

I am afraid my frustrations showed at the Planning Commission

meeting, to the point of my stating that, “the inequity of our zoning

results, looks to the casual observer, like someone is getting paid

off.” This metaphor was an attempt to call attention to the utter

unfairness of the process. I am sorry that my remarks may have

implied improper behavior; I truly do not believe any Planning

Commissioner is being bribed. I respect each one of them and believe

that they are trying to do a good and honest job. My choice of words

was really meant to ask: Can the Planning Commission reach equity in

their decision’s apparent inequities in the modification, planning

and council review process. This is what led me to make this remark.

City Councilmen actively participate in and head the majority of

our city’s committees. They chair the important Aviation, Harbor,

Economic, Environmental and General Plan, Update and Advisory

Committees among others. None have yet been assigned to the Planning

Commission. I have attended the Planning Commission meetings to

better understand what is going on and the basis for the Planning

Commission decisions. Hopefully we speak, if there are inequities

that can be prevented

I am new to the city government. Previously I have been the

president of the Corona del Mar Community Assn. and currently a

Senate director of the California Republican Assembly. I ran for

office to truly represent the residents. This requires making waves

that are unpopular with the entrenched powers-that-be. I have a PhD

in chemical engineering and specialize in aspects of mechanical

construction and pollution control in my engineering equipment and

consulting business. I am increasingly becoming involved in pollution

issues in the city while maintaining my strong support for residents

as evidenced by my 20 years of youth sports and community activities.

* DICK NICHOLS is a Newport Beach City Councilman who represents

Corona del Mar.