23 Responses to “The Aerie Project: When Neighbors Collide”
Comments
May 21st, 2009
I am in support of the AERIE project. It will not only enhance the surrounding area it will provide needed income to the City and County.
May 21st, 2009
I would love to see the current eye-sore go away as fast as possible. The proposed plans are both beautiful and architectually interesting and would add to the look and values of the neighborhood.
May 21st, 2009
We fully support the AERIE project. To see the opposition recruiting people seems unusual to say the least. They have opposed each and every portion of the project; their current web site is just the latest iteration to try and gain traction. What is their self-serving goal and payoff, to try and save the rest of us from what? I for one will make up my own mind without them inundating me with door to door and mailing contacts. Yes I even get their literature left at my door. Some of the participants are not even primary residents of this state, I assume for tax reasons they retain that status. The developer is trying to provide a quality project that will enhance our neighborhood. I will continue to support his efforts as will most of the resident neighbors in close proximity. Bud and Linda Rasner
May 21st, 2009
I have personally seen this project and it is a perfect development for that site. The developer is doing everything within the code and should be rewarded not punished. If this developer's property rights are taken away because neighbors don't want to live through construction that sets a dangerous precedence.
May 21st, 2009
This is a great project a vast improvement over the existing apartment builidng. It will set an architectural standard consistent with the beauty of the site and its surroundings. Kudos to Rick for "fighting City Hall' for his dream and everything he has done to comprimise with all the self-serving interests that opporse him.
May 21st, 2009
As current neighbors and former residents of 205 Carnation Ave.(for 26 years) we strongly support the AERIE project!!! The developer and arcitect have gone above and beyond to create homes that will enhance the site. It is unbelieveable that a few neighbors have gone to such extremes to try and destroy this project. The project will benefit Corona del Mar and Newport Beach. People will be put to work and the taxes generated will help the city. Shame on those that have been putting up such deceptive road blocks!!!!
May 21st, 2009
As a CDM resident (Begonia Ave) with a view of the bluff and project site from my deck, I can't understand the resistance against Mr. Julian and the AERIE project. I have taken the time to review the project plans and detailed scale models, and there is no doubt in my mind this development will only enhance the curbside aesthetics as well as the waterfront. The (costly) consessions made by Mr. Julian to appease the opposition show a great deal of respect for the community and the local environment. It's time for those against the project to show the same respect and allow this well planned project to commence.
May 21st, 2009
I've lived across the street from the proposed Aerie Project for over 30 years. It would be nice to improve this special area of CDM and replace the old, dilapidated apartment house with a world-class condo project like Aerie. Before making up their minds on this subject, I feel that local residents should meet with Mr. Julian at the proposed Aerie location and take a good look at the present architectural drawings and intricate scale model. It's stunning. People need to understand that most neighbors approve of Aerie and that the detractors' customized website with a slanted and sometimes misrepresented view of the project, along with its on line petition to sign, isn't a true gauge of the community's feeling regarding this development. I wish Mr. Julian good luck at the upcoming hearings.
May 21st, 2009
I fully and enthusiastically support the AERIE project! I lived in one of the homes affected by this project for a few years and watched Richard Julian bend way over backwards to accomodate every concern that came up from all directions, be it official or a neighbor complaint. Mr. Julian solicited comments, suggestions and concerns from all parties as he planed this and couldn't be more accomodating. AERIE will only enhance the neighborhood with a beautiful and responsible developement!
May 21st, 2009
I am a Realtor in Newport Beach and have followed this project from the onset, including attending every meeting. This project is exactly what should be on this bluff. It is classy and top quality. I am appalled at the extent of the opposition of a handful of neighbors. I see property rights being threatened unnecessarily. It infuriates me to see the level a few people will go to infringe on these property rights. I hope the majority of conscientious people will agree that this enhancement belongs at the entrance of our bay. It is dangerous to blindly sign a petition without knowing all of the facts. The facts are that this project ultimately will be an asset to the community, raising property values and adding money from increased taxes. Mr. Julian has done everything the city has asked and more. It is time to allow him to start this beautiful project so that both he and the community will be able to enjoy it sooner, rather that later.
May 21st, 2009
We live at 2525 Ocean Blvd and are very much in support of the Aerie project. In particular we appreciate the efforts of Rick Julian to be such a good neighbor, including the interim use of the property, changes to the design,the construction methods and planning and for numerous informational meetings with neighbors. We believe the concerns of those opposed to the project are ill-founded and have been sensationalized by a few mean-spirited oppositionists who should be ashamed of their tactics.
May 21st, 2009
AERIE is a breath of fresh air. It's classy, sexy, green, and adds much needed creative flair to my neighborhood. No more high-rise boxes that take up every sq. inch of dirt and every sq. inch of air, killing my view. AERIE opens up larger view slots looking down Carnation and up Ocean. Where has that EVER happened in Corona del Mar!?! Best of all it's being built by a decent, unselfish, honest homeowner/developer who solicited input from all his neighbors before drawing up these plans. Unlike the 2 neighbors opposing the project and who encroached beyond their limits when they built their big, ugly, square, old fashioned "boxes on the bluff" as they're knows. Shame on these 2 petty "neighbors" for pretending there are more in opposition than just themselves. Stop the expensive, wasteful nonsense and get on with the approval so we don't have to look at that ugly old dilapidated building--the bluff needs a major transformation at the foot of Carnation/top of Ocean. What it needs is something we are all familiar with: a good old fashioned Newport Beach style facelift! Approve AERIE and bring on the plastic surgery. Just think, if AERIE doesn't get approved, the property will end up in the hands of one of those selfish, non-neighborly box builders that we've seen too much of for too long in CdM.
May 21st, 2009
Aerie is the best thing that's happened to CDM in a long long time. Just think... we'll be replacing Alcatraz with a unique, one-of-a-kind (no, not Tuscan) world class project. One has to wonder about the personal agendas of those who oppose this project...and you know who you are... It's time to move on. It's time to focus our collective effort and energy on the future. Let's be forward-thinking and positive rather than back-stabbing and negative. Don't be threatened by change - embrace it.!
May 21st, 2009
As a close neighbor to the Aerie Project, we fully support the Julians. They have done everything expected of them, and have tried to accommodate all affected residents within the scope of their design. We'll be happy to see the "eye-sore" gone and the Julian's settled in with their class-act development.
May 21st, 2009
As a resident living in close proximity to the proposed project I feel compelled to respond. I have been carefully watching the project from it's inception. I have seen the plans and visited the site on numerous occasions and I totally support Aerie as it will be a beautiful addition to our neighborhood and the community. It is beyond me why there are a few individuals who are opposed to Aerie. While they say they are not against the site being developed, they are opposed to the haul route. Any development on that location will have to have trucks to haul, and would it not be better to have one developer with a finite number of trips rather than multiple developers? What is their real problem? Maybe they should get a life...
May 22nd, 2009
What is there to discuss. What's currently there is a disgrace to the city. Residents selfish views of having to deal with dust and noise is ridiculous. Get over it! The Project is gonna happen and I welcome it!
May 22nd, 2009
I fully support this project. As a resident and property owner in Corona Del Mar since 1975, and a neighbor of this proposal, I find AERIE to be innovative, creative, and an enhancement of our neighborhood. It will replace an eyesore with a beautiful development that benefits all. I do not understand the handful of those who oppose with lies and misleading comments. It seems that some members of our community are uninformed and simply want to deny others of their legal rights. In additon, the owners have bent over backwards to accommodate those with objections, to no avail. It is time to let this development proceed.
May 22nd, 2009
I have known the Julian's both personally and professionally for over 25 years. You cannot find a couple with more integrity and a genuine concern for the well being of this community than Rick and Karen. Rick and Karen are very succesful people. They are not developing this project to make a quick buck, but to call this their home. Rick Julian has embraced this community, opened his heart and wallet to the betterment of CDM, has provided a forum to the neighbors to address any concerns about the project, and has tried to be a positive influence to the residents of CDM. Rick and Karen Julian would be a wonderful addition to the neighborhoodand would be responsible stewards of this very special piece of CDM history, which is sorely needed,. The continued attempts to interfere with the development of this project, after so much has been done to accomodate the neighbors and community, highlights how these objections conflict with the basic right to develop one's own property. This project will remove an existing eye sore and replace it it with a very special well concieved addition to the community. If a few nieghbors with personal agendas are allowed to stand in the way of this much embraced project, where will this stop? The project should be approved and allowed to proceed.
May 22nd, 2009
After attending the commission hearing on Thursday evening, one is compelled to ask those opposed to the Aerie project (residents, planners, or commissioners) why?. Do they believe that removing the current structure and replacing it with three single-family residences will result in less construction noise, shorter construction time, more carefully planned bluff protection, and greater set-back? Three buyers, three plans, three contractors, three construction periods could last a decade and greatly increase the possibility of accidental damage to the bluff face. No one brings more integrity, sensitivity, or honorable character than Rick Julian, who has spent years reworking plans to appease neighbor's and commissioner's desires. While listening to those express their sometimes trivial opposition, it reminded me of Ayn Rand's observation: "That some people's desire for power over others, neutralzes their rational judgement".
May 23rd, 2009
Before this project goes any further, the City should require Mr. Julian to put up STORY POLES. When the public sees the actual dimension of this project, there will be absolutely NO QUESTION as to how "out of proportion" and “oversized” it is compared to the homes in the area. I am an interior designer and can visualize the disproportionate size and scale that has been created which resembles a wart on the very prominent nose at the entrance to the bay. This project is extremely out of proportion with the rest of the properties surrounding it in its volume and design which is only matched by the Channel Reef Complex (built in 1962 and would never be approved today). The CLUP states: “New development… shall be subordinate to the character of its setting.” We have a home in the 200 block of Carnation Avenue and on Balboa Island and if this extreme project passes, I can honestly say that “living on Newport Bay” will not be as desirable as it has been.
May 24th, 2009
As a former resident on Bayside cove I can asure you that this Aerie Project will be a substancial improvement to the harbor entry and the overall community of Corona Del Mar. The exising apartments are an eyesore and should have been replaced long ago. The fact that the bluff will be impacted is true, however, it is my oppinion that this projects represents a positive impact not a negative one! I can not believe the opposition to this project being so duplicitus. All you have to do is look at the house next door, that looks like a bunch of white boxes stacked on top of themselves, to wonder who do these people think they are to complain about bluff face or bluff impacts. Their unsighly house is built from the top of the bluff all the way down to the water. these people live on the bluff from top to bottom! I belive that the Aerie project is a beautiful addition to Newport Beach and will provide a wonderful architectural statement at the harbor enterance. It is a excellent replacement for the old China House which used to be the icon at the harbor entrance, but was removed in order to create two houses in place of one. China Cove was named after the fromer residence because of it architectural uniqueness. I also find it incredible that people are so critical of the construction. Every home has to be or has been constructed and just because someone lives next door I don't think it is just for them to complain about someone else wanting to upgrade the community and build a new house. Lets remember that ther are 13 or 14 units on that site right now and the Aerie project is just 8 units. It's time to let this projct go forward and stop this unjust delay and unwarrented opposition. I say get the project aproved as soon as possilbe. It will create many jobs in at time when we need more private projects instead of the public projects that are being created through tax and spend economics. This project will add value to the community and create a positive economic benefit in the process.
June 8th, 2009
I've lived in Corona del Mar for more than 30 years and have seen a lot of changes to the texture and composition of the residential areas in that time. It has been and continues to be a great place to live. I am in FULL SUPPORT of the Aerie project. It is a jewel of a project and one that will enhance our community for decades to come.
June 8th, 2009
It was great to see the Aerie project passing the Planning Commission and on to the City Council. The developer has worked very hard with the neighborhood, and the community to make this project a great part of the entry to Newport Harbor. It is a beautiful property and will enhance Newport. Well done Rick Julian for your tenacity to get this project where it is today. I hope the City Council approves the project forthwith!
