| Resident Feedback Writeups |
Brush Control Study - Lower Buck Gully & Morning Canyon
Would you support the City allocating $20,000 for a study on the use of goats to manage the brush growth in Lower Buck
Gully and Morning Canyon? For many years, the City of Laguna Beach has effectively used a herd of goats to maintain a
100 foot wide fuel break behind the homes on its canyons. The goats clear the entire fuel break behind the Laguna Beach
homes once each year. They do an excellent job of getting into rocky and steep terrain that is difficult and expensive for
humans to clear. The goats are corralled by portable fences and are not allowed to wander outside of the designated fire
break. While the goats are clearing one area, their herders set up movable fences for the next area to be cleared. Herders
and their dogs then move the herd into the new area and the process is repeated. These fuel breaks may be viewed from
both Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road, in Laguna Beach. Due to the success of this program in Laguna Beach,
the Newport Beach Fire Department is considering the use of goats in Newport Beach. With many factors that must be
considered, including cost, feasibility, practicality and adverse environmental impacts, the NBFD believes it is important to
commission a study on the use of goats before proceeding with this program.
--------------------------
Comments in support of the study included noting the importance of addressing the sources of growth as well as its
management, including: restricting amount of water flow from residents, and working with residents on vegetation
management plans.
Comments opposed to the study included a suggestion to sit down and talk with Laguna Beach officials on their process
and experience, and save the $20,000 expense. Others felt that these areas are private properties, and the only issue that
should be addressed is managing the debris and run-off from upstream developments.
Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness (October 2006)
Newport Beach Fire Department is offering a 3-hr course in Disaster Preparedness, covering basics in first aid, fire
suppression, and CPR. This class provides information and tools to help you and your loved ones in the event of a major
disaster, or for any accident or injury when professional help is not readily available.
-----------------------------
As a result of your feedback, NBFD agreed to hold a Saturday morning class, and a Monday evening class to
accommodate varying schedules. These classes were attended by 60 residents.
Pedestrian Traffic Control Near Albertson's (October 2006)
Discussions with our City Traffic Department continue on the most effective placement and type of pedestrian-friendly
crossing mechanism which should be installed on Coast Hwy at one of the intersections near Albertson's.
-----------------------------
10% of those polled by email responded to this question. Most were in favor of additional controlled pedestrian
crossings. Several raised the question of why we would want to install more crosswalks since so many pedestrians tend
to cross in front of the "No Ped-Xing" signs. If we don't enforce our current "No Ped-Xing", then why spend funds on more
crossings that won't be used.
Landscape Equipment Noise - City Ordinance Modification (October 2006)
Would you support a modification to our existing City Ordinance in an effort to reduce noise in and around our
neighborhoods from the use of various landscape equipment?
-------------------------
10% of those polled by email responded to this question. Most were in favor of either eliminating the use of this
equipment and/or adopting more stringent restrictions in our City ordinance. (Current Ordinance allows motorized
construction/landscape equipment to be operated Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-6:00
p.m. No operation is allowed on Sundays or Holidays.
Again, a number of people questioned whether tighter restricts would work since we don't enforce the hours of operation in
our current ordinance. The City's response to that statement is to make sure that Code Enforcement is called so that a
record of the violation can be logged and a citation issued. Without residents making this call, there is no way for the City
to enforce every ordinance every time. Code Enforcement can be reached at 949.644.3215.
Those in favor of banning or restricting the use of equipment also cited environmental issues (air pollution as well as
noise pollution) as reasons to enforce or tightening the current ordinance.
One of the respondents included this quote in her response:
Parking Permits Near Big Corona Beach (October 2006)
Would you support the use of street parking permits around the neighborhoods that are in close proximity to Big Corona
Beach? The use of these permits would be limited to only those hours that Big Corona Beach is closed.
----------------------
5% of those polled by email responded to this question. Most were in favor of some sort of restricted parking and/or
resident permit parking during off-hours (when beach is closed). Additional, some were in favor of expanding the
restrictions to other areas in the Village.
Newport Center Park as City Hall Site (July 2006)
Should City Council reconsider using Newport Center Park as the site for the new City Hall/Civic Center and parking?
--------------------------------------------------
The issue noted in most responses was not whether Newport Center Park would be an appropriate site, but that the City
had made a commitment, on numerous occasions, that this land was to be, and remain, dedicated as a park site. As a
result of the review process surrounding Mr. Ficker's alternative proposal, it became apparent that perhaps the most
appropriate locale for a new City Hall would be somewhere in the Fashion Island area, which is geographically the
"center" of Newport.
Widening PCH and 5th Avenue (July 2006)
Should a six-lane highway be developed through CdM, along with extending 5th Avenue east behind Corona Highlands
and Cameo Highlands to alleviate traffic congestion on Coast Highway ?
-------------------------------------------------
This proposal, which was presented to City Council by Councilman Richard Nichols, met with overwhelming resistance by
the residents of Corona del Mar. Most respondents indicated their disappointment with Councilman Nichols in that he
seemed to be so out of touch with his constituents' wishes and desires relative to quality of life issues in our community.
Top of Page
Leaf Blower Use & Noise (December 2005)
Should all landscape power tools, lawn mowers, edgers, hedge clippers and leaf blowers be required to have mufflers to
lower noise to reasonable levels?
-------------------------------------------------------------
The majority of responses we received support an outright ban; some supported more noise restrictions on their use in
residential zones and some thought it was inappropriate to restrict the use of these trade tools. Other comments included:
consensus to be presented to the City Council for consideration. While the ratio of those that support a ban is significant,
we do not feel the current number of respondents is enough to sway our city leaders. For those of you that have yet to
comment, please send us your thoughts. As you consider your position, consider that several cities have completely
banned Leaf Blowers in residential zones, such as Laguna Beach, Malibu and Beverly Hills to name a few. Huntington
Beach and Irvine have specific Leaf Blower ordinances requiring Leaf Blowers to have mufflers to reduce the noise impact
on neighbors.
One-Way Streets (December 2005)
Should CdM consider a one-way street scheme as a way to improve traffic flow throughout the residential streets in the
Village?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The comments we received on One-Way streets were not as numerous nor as one sided as the comments we received
on the Leaf Blower issue. Some suggested a ban on parking on one side of the street rather than incorporating a One
Way street design, thereby enabling better traffic flow. Given resident demand for street parking and our coastal location, it
is unlikely that restricting parking to one side of each street will ever come to pass. It might work well for those traversing
our neighborhoods, but can you imagine the public process of determining which streets will have restricted parking and
which side of the street to restrict? Many residents would object to a ban on parking in front of their homes. It is difficult to
come to a community consensus without more participation and responses. Given the lack of comments, maybe one-way
streets are not that important to the residents of CdM.
Flashing Crosswalk (October 2005)
CdM is getting a new flashing crosswalk along Coast Highway. Where should it be installed? If you have an opinion, let
us know. We'll tabulate the responses and provide the information to the Public Works Department for their consideration,
and will publish the results on our website in November.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all the resident members who responded to our October poll asking which intersection would most benefit from
the new flashing crosswalk that is being planned for installation in CdM village.
Over 50% of the respondents felt that the crosswalk near Albertson's at the Iris/Coast Highway intersection was the most
critical place for this new safety measure. Almost as many respondents qualified their answers by saying that we should
have multiple flashing crosswalks throughout the Village, with the second most important location being the Orchid/Coast
Highway intersection near the Post Office.
It was also suggested that a traffic signal be installed at the Iris/Coast Highway intersection, rather than the flashing
crosswalk. This intersection is about half way between the signals at Goldenrod and Marguerite, and a signal would
improve the safety of pedestrians shopping and walking in this area.
The results of our poll will be presented to the Newport Beach City Council for consideration in planning the flashing
crosswalk placement. We will keep you updated as this project progresses through planning and installation.
A New City Hall for Newport Beach (May 2005)
A new complex at the same Peninsula location, including a parking structure and a replacement fire station, is under
consideration. The Public Outreach results will be reviewed at the May 10 City Council Meeting. As a CdM resident, what
are your thoughts and comments about this proposal?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
We had only a few responses on this topic because it was so newsworthy and timely
at the time we posed the question to our residents. That said, twice as many respondents were for a new City Hall as
were against it. There was a consistency in responses, both pro and con.
Those for a new City Hall stated that our public buildings and facilities should reflect the same quality and value that our
neighborhoods and homes do. They also stated that our public staff deserves a better working environment than they
currently have. Those against a new City Hall point to various revenue issues and tradeoffs by the City to pay for the new
structures. There were concerns about various neighborhood programs that would likely suffer as funds are diverted to
the building project.
Click on the following City Council documents for more information:
May 24, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes
Condo Conversions (April 2005)
What do you think about the condo conversion ordinance, its impact on parking in the Village, its impact on neighboring
homes? Should the CdMRA initiate an effort to
modify the ordinance, or do you feel that it supports the quality of life for Village
residents and provides lower cost housing in our community? Would you like to hear
City officials discuss this issue at one of our membership meetings?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responses from all sources (web, phone, mail) were evenly divided.
Half of the respondents felt that the ordinance as it is currently written does not need to be changed. It encourages the
conversion and remodeling of aging duplexes, which results in an increase in home ownership and home values, a more
stable neighborhood environment, safer structures as a result of being brought up to current building codes, more
revenue to the City through permit fees, and less parking congestion due to a lower occupancy rate in owned
condominiums versus rented duplexes.
Half of the respondents felt that the ordinance as it is currently written does not address or remedy the parking issues,
particularly in the Flower streets. Some residents feel that each unit should be required to provide off-street parking for
two cars. Residents aired concerns about not being able to accommodate guests that visit their houses, or shoppers that
pass through town without stopping because it is too hard to drive through the streets of the Village. They also talked
about how the village aesthetic has changed with the higher density and multi-story units.
Several residents suggested that Flower streets be made one-way in an attempt to alleviate the congestion. One of our
Board members is pulling together information from past initiatives that addressed one-way streets, and we will publish a
recap of that information in the coming months.
Other residents suggested that street parking permits be issued to residents and guests, particularly during the Summer.
Non-residents would be limited to public parking or street parking not to exceed one hour. And one resident suggested
that we convert one or two of our vacant lots into parking garages.
The CdMRA will continue to monitor the condo conversion and parking issues, and will keep you informed of
developments.
Click on the following City Council Documents for more information:
May 10, 2005 Agenda: Staff Report
June 28, 2005 Agenda: Staff Report
Top of Page
Would you support the City allocating $20,000 for a study on the use of goats to manage the brush growth in Lower Buck
Gully and Morning Canyon? For many years, the City of Laguna Beach has effectively used a herd of goats to maintain a
100 foot wide fuel break behind the homes on its canyons. The goats clear the entire fuel break behind the Laguna Beach
homes once each year. They do an excellent job of getting into rocky and steep terrain that is difficult and expensive for
humans to clear. The goats are corralled by portable fences and are not allowed to wander outside of the designated fire
break. While the goats are clearing one area, their herders set up movable fences for the next area to be cleared. Herders
and their dogs then move the herd into the new area and the process is repeated. These fuel breaks may be viewed from
both Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road, in Laguna Beach. Due to the success of this program in Laguna Beach,
the Newport Beach Fire Department is considering the use of goats in Newport Beach. With many factors that must be
considered, including cost, feasibility, practicality and adverse environmental impacts, the NBFD believes it is important to
commission a study on the use of goats before proceeding with this program.
--------------------------
Comments in support of the study included noting the importance of addressing the sources of growth as well as its
management, including: restricting amount of water flow from residents, and working with residents on vegetation
management plans.
Comments opposed to the study included a suggestion to sit down and talk with Laguna Beach officials on their process
and experience, and save the $20,000 expense. Others felt that these areas are private properties, and the only issue that
should be addressed is managing the debris and run-off from upstream developments.
- 27 = In Favor of a Study
- 7 = Oppose Study
Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness (October 2006)
Newport Beach Fire Department is offering a 3-hr course in Disaster Preparedness, covering basics in first aid, fire
suppression, and CPR. This class provides information and tools to help you and your loved ones in the event of a major
disaster, or for any accident or injury when professional help is not readily available.
-----------------------------
As a result of your feedback, NBFD agreed to hold a Saturday morning class, and a Monday evening class to
accommodate varying schedules. These classes were attended by 60 residents.
Pedestrian Traffic Control Near Albertson's (October 2006)
Discussions with our City Traffic Department continue on the most effective placement and type of pedestrian-friendly
crossing mechanism which should be installed on Coast Hwy at one of the intersections near Albertson's.
-----------------------------
10% of those polled by email responded to this question. Most were in favor of additional controlled pedestrian
crossings. Several raised the question of why we would want to install more crosswalks since so many pedestrians tend
to cross in front of the "No Ped-Xing" signs. If we don't enforce our current "No Ped-Xing", then why spend funds on more
crossings that won't be used.
- 16 = Flashing Crosswalk
- 6 = Traffic Signal – Standard
- 7 = Traffic Signal – Pedestrian Activated
- 2 = Foot Bridge Overpass
- 1 = Undecided
- 10 = @ Iris
- 8 = @ Jasmine
- 2 = @ Albertson’s
- 1 = @ All Crosswalks
Landscape Equipment Noise - City Ordinance Modification (October 2006)
Would you support a modification to our existing City Ordinance in an effort to reduce noise in and around our
neighborhoods from the use of various landscape equipment?
-------------------------
10% of those polled by email responded to this question. Most were in favor of either eliminating the use of this
equipment and/or adopting more stringent restrictions in our City ordinance. (Current Ordinance allows motorized
construction/landscape equipment to be operated Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-6:00
p.m. No operation is allowed on Sundays or Holidays.
Again, a number of people questioned whether tighter restricts would work since we don't enforce the hours of operation in
our current ordinance. The City's response to that statement is to make sure that Code Enforcement is called so that a
record of the violation can be logged and a citation issued. Without residents making this call, there is no way for the City
to enforce every ordinance every time. Code Enforcement can be reached at 949.644.3215.
Those in favor of banning or restricting the use of equipment also cited environmental issues (air pollution as well as
noise pollution) as reasons to enforce or tightening the current ordinance.
One of the respondents included this quote in her response:
- "According to a March 2006 news release from the South Coast AQMD
http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/2006/CoachellaValleyleafblowerevent.html:
"These machines are a significant source of smog-forming emissions,” said Roy Wilson, Governing Board Vice
Chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Riverside County Supervisor. “In one year, the
average two-stroke backpack leaf blower emits as much pollution as 80 new cars.”
- 12 = Ban the use of gas equipment in CdM
- 9 = Establish more stringent standards
- 8 = Limit the days and hours of operation
- 3 = No change to existing ordinance
- 1 = No Opinion
Parking Permits Near Big Corona Beach (October 2006)
Would you support the use of street parking permits around the neighborhoods that are in close proximity to Big Corona
Beach? The use of these permits would be limited to only those hours that Big Corona Beach is closed.
----------------------
5% of those polled by email responded to this question. Most were in favor of some sort of restricted parking and/or
resident permit parking during off-hours (when beach is closed). Additional, some were in favor of expanding the
restrictions to other areas in the Village.
- 13 = Support restricted/permit parking, and include other areas as well
- 4 = Would not support restricted/permit parking
- 1 = Undecided
Newport Center Park as City Hall Site (July 2006)
Should City Council reconsider using Newport Center Park as the site for the new City Hall/Civic Center and parking?
--------------------------------------------------
The issue noted in most responses was not whether Newport Center Park would be an appropriate site, but that the City
had made a commitment, on numerous occasions, that this land was to be, and remain, dedicated as a park site. As a
result of the review process surrounding Mr. Ficker's alternative proposal, it became apparent that perhaps the most
appropriate locale for a new City Hall would be somewhere in the Fashion Island area, which is geographically the
"center" of Newport.
Widening PCH and 5th Avenue (July 2006)
Should a six-lane highway be developed through CdM, along with extending 5th Avenue east behind Corona Highlands
and Cameo Highlands to alleviate traffic congestion on Coast Highway ?
-------------------------------------------------
This proposal, which was presented to City Council by Councilman Richard Nichols, met with overwhelming resistance by
the residents of Corona del Mar. Most respondents indicated their disappointment with Councilman Nichols in that he
seemed to be so out of touch with his constituents' wishes and desires relative to quality of life issues in our community.
Top of Page
Leaf Blower Use & Noise (December 2005)
Should all landscape power tools, lawn mowers, edgers, hedge clippers and leaf blowers be required to have mufflers to
lower noise to reasonable levels?
-------------------------------------------------------------
The majority of responses we received support an outright ban; some supported more noise restrictions on their use in
residential zones and some thought it was inappropriate to restrict the use of these trade tools. Other comments included:
- Are city employees exempt from the law?
- Please be fair to the landscape maintenance workers.
- We respectfully disagree that leaf blowers should be banned.
- Get rid of them now!
- I say ban them now.
- No gardeners at all on weekends.
consensus to be presented to the City Council for consideration. While the ratio of those that support a ban is significant,
we do not feel the current number of respondents is enough to sway our city leaders. For those of you that have yet to
comment, please send us your thoughts. As you consider your position, consider that several cities have completely
banned Leaf Blowers in residential zones, such as Laguna Beach, Malibu and Beverly Hills to name a few. Huntington
Beach and Irvine have specific Leaf Blower ordinances requiring Leaf Blowers to have mufflers to reduce the noise impact
on neighbors.
One-Way Streets (December 2005)
Should CdM consider a one-way street scheme as a way to improve traffic flow throughout the residential streets in the
Village?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The comments we received on One-Way streets were not as numerous nor as one sided as the comments we received
on the Leaf Blower issue. Some suggested a ban on parking on one side of the street rather than incorporating a One
Way street design, thereby enabling better traffic flow. Given resident demand for street parking and our coastal location, it
is unlikely that restricting parking to one side of each street will ever come to pass. It might work well for those traversing
our neighborhoods, but can you imagine the public process of determining which streets will have restricted parking and
which side of the street to restrict? Many residents would object to a ban on parking in front of their homes. It is difficult to
come to a community consensus without more participation and responses. Given the lack of comments, maybe one-way
streets are not that important to the residents of CdM.
Flashing Crosswalk (October 2005)
CdM is getting a new flashing crosswalk along Coast Highway. Where should it be installed? If you have an opinion, let
us know. We'll tabulate the responses and provide the information to the Public Works Department for their consideration,
and will publish the results on our website in November.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all the resident members who responded to our October poll asking which intersection would most benefit from
the new flashing crosswalk that is being planned for installation in CdM village.
Over 50% of the respondents felt that the crosswalk near Albertson's at the Iris/Coast Highway intersection was the most
critical place for this new safety measure. Almost as many respondents qualified their answers by saying that we should
have multiple flashing crosswalks throughout the Village, with the second most important location being the Orchid/Coast
Highway intersection near the Post Office.
It was also suggested that a traffic signal be installed at the Iris/Coast Highway intersection, rather than the flashing
crosswalk. This intersection is about half way between the signals at Goldenrod and Marguerite, and a signal would
improve the safety of pedestrians shopping and walking in this area.
The results of our poll will be presented to the Newport Beach City Council for consideration in planning the flashing
crosswalk placement. We will keep you updated as this project progresses through planning and installation.
A New City Hall for Newport Beach (May 2005)
A new complex at the same Peninsula location, including a parking structure and a replacement fire station, is under
consideration. The Public Outreach results will be reviewed at the May 10 City Council Meeting. As a CdM resident, what
are your thoughts and comments about this proposal?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
We had only a few responses on this topic because it was so newsworthy and timely
at the time we posed the question to our residents. That said, twice as many respondents were for a new City Hall as
were against it. There was a consistency in responses, both pro and con.
Those for a new City Hall stated that our public buildings and facilities should reflect the same quality and value that our
neighborhoods and homes do. They also stated that our public staff deserves a better working environment than they
currently have. Those against a new City Hall point to various revenue issues and tradeoffs by the City to pay for the new
structures. There were concerns about various neighborhood programs that would likely suffer as funds are diverted to
the building project.
Click on the following City Council documents for more information:
May 24, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes
Condo Conversions (April 2005)
What do you think about the condo conversion ordinance, its impact on parking in the Village, its impact on neighboring
homes? Should the CdMRA initiate an effort to
modify the ordinance, or do you feel that it supports the quality of life for Village
residents and provides lower cost housing in our community? Would you like to hear
City officials discuss this issue at one of our membership meetings?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responses from all sources (web, phone, mail) were evenly divided.
Half of the respondents felt that the ordinance as it is currently written does not need to be changed. It encourages the
conversion and remodeling of aging duplexes, which results in an increase in home ownership and home values, a more
stable neighborhood environment, safer structures as a result of being brought up to current building codes, more
revenue to the City through permit fees, and less parking congestion due to a lower occupancy rate in owned
condominiums versus rented duplexes.
Half of the respondents felt that the ordinance as it is currently written does not address or remedy the parking issues,
particularly in the Flower streets. Some residents feel that each unit should be required to provide off-street parking for
two cars. Residents aired concerns about not being able to accommodate guests that visit their houses, or shoppers that
pass through town without stopping because it is too hard to drive through the streets of the Village. They also talked
about how the village aesthetic has changed with the higher density and multi-story units.
Several residents suggested that Flower streets be made one-way in an attempt to alleviate the congestion. One of our
Board members is pulling together information from past initiatives that addressed one-way streets, and we will publish a
recap of that information in the coming months.
Other residents suggested that street parking permits be issued to residents and guests, particularly during the Summer.
Non-residents would be limited to public parking or street parking not to exceed one hour. And one resident suggested
that we convert one or two of our vacant lots into parking garages.
The CdMRA will continue to monitor the condo conversion and parking issues, and will keep you informed of
developments.
Click on the following City Council Documents for more information:
May 10, 2005 Agenda: Staff Report
June 28, 2005 Agenda: Staff Report
Top of Page
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| PO Box 1500 Corona del Mar, CA 92625 Info@cdmra.org |
