HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA2017-228 Comment 122_05022019_FauntLeRoyFrom: FauntLeRoy Family <fauntleroyfam@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2019 2:11 PM
To: Zdeba, Benjamin
Cc: Herdman, Jeff; Planning Commissioners; Dept - City Council
Subject: Newport House, 4302 Ford Road
Mr. Zdeba, Planning Commissioners and City Council members,
This letter is in regards to the proposed development called the “Newport House”, with an address of
4302 Ford Road, at one end of the Port Street neighborhood. My family and I are residents of the Port
Streets and value our neighbors and community. Our children grew up in this neighborhood and we all
have enjoyed the various portions of the greenbelt, parks and nature park areas.
I was so surprised to recently learn of the proposed plans for the small portion of land next to the AT&T
building. I cannot even get my head around the number of units and potential number of new residents
in that area. So I went to the informal meeting on April 29th at the park adjacent to the proposed site.
Mr. Lawler and his associate really did not adequately answer questions, particularly regarding the
concern of neighbors about the lack of parking. Their answer was that it was mainly going to be a senior
community and that they feel most senior couples only have one car. Is this site being zoned as a senior
living community? It did not seem that that’s the case, but they stressed that it would mainly be seniors
that were “aging out” of the Port Streets that would be living there. If it’s not zoned for a senior living
community, I don’t believe they can only market and sell to seniors, so they cannot truly
decide/anticipate the age breakdown of potential buyers. In addition, at the meeting I sat next to a
senior woman who said she is a long time resident of the Port Streets and she said she would never sell
her house to move to an apartment/condo community such as the proposed one.
Karen Yelsey, a Newport Mesa School Board member, was in attendance at this meeting. She spoke at
the meeting and indicated that with new construction, it is common procedure for a developer to advise
the School District so that they can anticipate the potential impact on the local schools. She said she
had just learned of this project that afternoon. Again, the answer from Mr. Lawler was that they
anticipated it would be seniors living in the Newport House, not school aged children.
Another concern has to do with safety. That is already a very busy park, which my family and myself
have used many times. My husband and I frequently take walks around the neighborhood, many times
walking our dog, going through the adjacent park as a common route. I cannot imagine so many
additional cars, trucks, service vehicles utilizing that already impacted area. Every time I am at that park,
I see children and adults playing, riding bikes, running, etc. I believe the additional vehicles and flow of
traffic should really be more seriously considered before a project like this gets pushed through the
planning process. I have heard much talk about the need for an Environmental Impact Report and agree
that this should be completed before this project is considered and passes through the Planning
Commission.
Please consider the concerns of the Port Street neighbors regarding this project. Thank you very much.
Sally FauntLeRoy
1960 Port Chelsea Place