CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Harbor Commission OK's Aerie Docks

The Aerie project got another nod of approval Wednesday evening when the Newport Beach Harbor Commission voted 7-0 in favor of the proposed docks for the luxury condominium development on Ocean Boulevard and Carnation Avenue. Read more about the project and neighbor concerns here.

The project cleared the planning commission in June and will go before the City Council next week. Meanwhile, the dock portion of the project has been clouded in confusion.

In April the Harbor Commission said that it was not opposed to the proposed docks, but it thought the docks could have a “negative impact on navigation and recreation boating in the harbor.” This apparent mixed message demanded clarification, so an Aerie Task Force was created, and members of that task force spent three hours on May 30 examining the site and studying the impact of the proposed dock. Check out the task force report here.

The task force concluded, “Based upon the field survey and analysis effort and its findings stated above, it is the unanimous opinion of the Harbor Commission Aerie Docks Survey Subcommittee that the proposed Aerie Docks project appears to comply with all City, State and Federal requirements as designed and, if constructed and operated as proposed and required, would NOT ‘…create any significant negative impact on navigation and recreational boating in the harbor’ as stated in the previous Harbor Commission advisory motion.”

However, in a severe storm, boats might have to be relocated, the task force said.

Developer Richard Julian said he was pleased with the outcome. “It was a good meeting,” he said. Julian and his wife first spotted the Aerie property seven years ago, and they’ve been working on getting plans approved for years. They say they plan to live in one of the units.

Neighbors have expressed concern that the development, which includes eight units, an underground parking area with garage elevators and the boat docks, is too big for the lot and would decimate precious coastal bluff. Several neighbors were at the Harbor Commission meeting on Wednesday, and afterword said they were not surprised by the outcome. They added that they would make a statement about the meeting on Thursday morning. Check back for more details as they become available.