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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 - Resolution-Oppose Golf Course Use for JWA ParkingCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item 19 May 8, 2007 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Manager's Office Homer Bludau, City Manager 949/644 -3000 or hbludau @city.newport - beach.ca.us SUBJECT: RESOLUTION 2007 - OPPOSING THE USE OF ANY PORTION OF THE NEWPORT BEACH GOLF COURSE FOR JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT PARKING PURPOSES ISSUE: Does the City Council want to take an official position on a concept the County staff is studying regarding the conversion of the "back 9" Newport Beach Golf Course holes to John Wayne Airport rental car parking? RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 2007 -_ opposing the concept of turning any portion of the Newport Beach Golf Course into parking for JWA purposes or any other purposes. DISCUSSION: The County of Orange owns the 20 -acre site west of Irvine Avenue, and north of Mesa Drive which contains the "back 9" golf course holes of the Newport Beach Golf Course. The 18 -hole course opened in 1976. It is approximately 3,180 yards long, and is known as a "par 3 course ", which is shorter than a normal 18 -hole course, and can be easily walked. The course is considered affordable by its users when compared with other area courses, and it is the only golf course in the area with 18 holes of night golf. Many children and teens play the course with family members. It has an active youth program, including a summer youth golf camp. There are 50,000 rounds of golf played on the course each year. The course offers senior citizen discounts, and has active Men's and Women's Clubs, which play the course twice a week. The property itself is in the "airport runway protection zone ", as it is directly across SR- 73 from the John Wayne Airport runway. The property is not within the Santa Ana Heights Specific Plan, and the City of Newport Beach has no land use or zoning authority over this County property. The property is not within the jurisdictional boundaries of Newport Beach. Council Resolution Opposing the use of any portion of the Newport Beach Golf Course for John Wayne Airport Parking Purposes May 6, 2007 Page 2 The County's lease for the "back 9" property expired January 1, 2007; however, a six - month extension was granted and month -by -month extensions are contemplated until the County makes a decision on the future use of this property. Another lease extension for this property for golf course purposes would run for 50 years, so County staff has been asked by the County CEO to look at other uses for this property for alternative considerations. One of those uses being studied by JWA staff is the use for rental parking for JWA customers. Currently, the airport has "ready car parking" for pick -up and drop -off; that is contemplated to remain. What is being looked at is the consolidation of airport storage of vendors' rental vehicles that now are scattered throughout the area. The County has made no proposal or decision to use the golf course property for this purpose; it is. merely one of the concepts being studied. The golf course is a popular recreational benefit to the area's residents. It is a use that is compatible with JWA over flights. It provides a green space near major highways and the airport that is visually attractive. It is a hub of social activity for golfers and family members who play the course. It is a place where many young people have learned their love of golf. Whereas, the only other public golf course in Newport Beach is Pelican Hill (currently out of service), Newport Beach Golf Course offers a more relaxed, more recreational golfing opportunity that is affordable to whole families. It is a golfing experience that is not and can not be duplicated elsewhere, and is a key component in the fabric of the Santa Ana Heights community. Councilwoman Daigle asked this item be placed on the agenda so the City Council could, in advance of County staffs study, let the County Board of Supervisors know of its opposition to any change in the land use of this golf course property, and that the City Council desires for the County to enter into a new lease with the current operators of the "back 9" to continue the golf course land use. Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not require environmental review. Public Notice: This agenda item may be noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Submitted by: .terra/ omer Bludau City Manager Attachments: Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2007 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING THE PRESERVATION OF THE NEWPORT BEACH GOLF COURSE AND OPPOSING A CHANGE IN THE LAND USE OF THIS PROPERTY WHEREAS, in July 1976, the Newport Beach Golf Course began operating and providing low cost golfing recreation to members of the community; and WHEREAS, for more than 30 years the Newport Beach Golf Course has been the only public golf course in the area offering 18 holes of night golf; and WHEREAS, the Newport Beach Golf Course provides affordable golfing opportunities for families, seniors, men, women and children of our community, including active men's clubs and women's clubs, youth programs and summer youth golf camp, and hosts numerous charity events benefiting local organizations and worthwhile causes; and WHEREAS, the 18 holes of the Newport Beach Golf Course offers an oasis of green in an area of concrete airport facilities and asphalt highways; and WHEREAS, the use of the golf course's "back 9" for car storage would destroy this affordable golf course as an amenity much valued and used by the community. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Newport Beach that the City supports the extension of the County lease for the "back nine" holes of the Newport Beach Golf Course and opposes the use of this property for anything other than its current golf course use. Adopted this 8th day of May, 2007 AYES, COUNCILMEMBERS NOES, COUNCILMEMBERS MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK