‘Goldenrod 6′ will have to cluck elsewhere

Two Corona del Mar neighbors can end their flap now that the City Council decided to keep chickens out of most residential neighborhoods.

The “Goldenrod 6″ have to go.

The hens attracted widespread publicity in recent months when the city asked their owner to remove them from quaint Goldenrod Avenue in December. In response, people lined up on either side of the fence — literally. At least one neighbor to the hens found them offensive, while others thought they were charming.

…Continue reading ‘Goldenrod 6′ will have to cluck elsewhere

Harbor dredging receives additional federal funds

The federal government injected about $1.75 million in additional funding for the dredging of Newport Harbor, Newport Beach Councilman Mike Henn announced Tuesday.

The city’s roughly $7.8-million project would bring the pleasure harbor closer to its original depths, but funding obstacles and regulatory approvals have help up the process.

…Continue reading Harbor dredging receives additional federal funds

Newport planning commissioner resigns in surprise move

NEWPORT BEACH — In an abrupt announcement Tuesday night, Planning Commissioner Robert Hawkins resigned and said he has filed ethics complaints against two city councilmen.

Citing alleged conflicts of interest by Mike Henn and Rush Hill, in addition to other city planning controversies, Hawkins said he felt he could no longer serve.

The two councilmen recently recused themselves from discussions about revitalizing different parts of the city — Lido Village for Henn and West Newport for Hill — because they have financial ties to properties or businesses in those districts. On Tuesday, the City Council was asked to approve recommended plans to rehabilitate the areas.

“Those conflicts infect the entire results of those recommendations,” Hawkins said in his resignation announcement given during the City Council meeting’s public comments section.

…Continue reading Newport planning commissioner resigns in surprise move

Council addresses traffic safety at Newport Harbor

NEWPORT BEACH — Following a crash that critically injured a teenager last week, school and city officials are working on traffic safety fixes at Newport Harbor High School.

They plan to teach pedestrians and drivers to pay closer attention, herd cars to zones designated for drop-off and parking, and to install lights and other crossing aids at the intersection where Crystal Morales was hit.

On Dec. 6, an allegedly intoxicated driver struck Morales, 17, as she was walking across Irvine Avenue at Margaret Drive.

… Continue reading: Council addresses traffic safety at Newport Harbor

Continental to cancel JWA-to-Maui flights

Continental Airlines will end its Orange County-Maui service on Dec. 31.

Started in March 2010, the regular weekend flights will be canceled, according to airport spokeswoman Jenny Wedge.

Continental will provide daily Maui service from Dec. 19 and Dec. 31, to take advantage of the holiday travel rush.

The airline’s Orange County-Honolulu service remains unaffected.

“It’s unfortunate this is ending, as we know there are lots of Orange County residents who travel to and from this area,” Wedge said about Maui. “We’d love to see this service return or offered by another carrier in the future.”

—Mike Reicher

$5,000 reward proposed for Reagan statue vandal

NEWPORT BEACH — A $5,000 reward was proposed Tuesday night to help catch anyone responsible for vandalizing the city’s Ronald Reagan statue over the weekend.

During the City Council meeting, Councilman Keith Curry asked the city manager and police chief to organize the reward. It would be given for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandal or vandals, Curry proposed.

Curry was a leader in the effort to commission the bronze artwork and worked in the Reagan administration.

The life-size statue in Bonita Canyon Sports Park was yanked partially off its base early Sunday by a suspect using a rope attached to a tan pickup truck, according to police. Officials do not know if the suspect was trying to steal the statue or just deface it.

 …Continue reading $5,000 reward proposed for Reagan statue vandal

Newport council could trim legal staff

The Newport Beach city attorney’s office may continue its staffing shake-up Tuesday, when the City Council votes on eliminating three of nine positions.

By outsourcing one deputy city attorney position and eliminating two vacant administrative positions, City Attorney Aaron Harp hopes to save $170,000 to $190,000 annually. Those savings account for the hiring of one legal secretary as well.

The city attorney’s office budget swelled in recent years under the leadership of David Hunt, who left the city in September. … Continue Reading

Pizzeria Mozza will keep alcohol permit

No need to stash the Sambuca.

The Newport Beach Planning Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to allow Pizzeria Mozza, celebrity chef Mario Batali’s new eatery, to keep its alcohol permit.

One of the commissioners had appealed the original permit, apparently to make a statement about democracy. He argued that all businesses applying to serve alcohol should be subject to a public hearing if their restaurant or bar is adjacent to homes. At the process stands, such decisions can be made by a city staff member.

“At least the public had an opportunity [to comment],” said Commissioner Robert Hawkins, who appealed the original decision to grant the permit, but then voted to uphold that decision.

Just one member of the public commented at the Planning Commission meeting – to support Mozza.

Some City Council members have criticized the appeal as anti-business, and said such applications should be expedited, especially during this slow economy. Councilwoman Leslie Daigle praised the commission’s decision.

mike.reicher@latimes.com

Twitter: @mreicherhttp://twitter.com/mreicher

Newport library to close for 2 weeks

The Newport Beach Central Library will be closed for construction Monday through Oct. 30.

As part of the city’s Civic Center project, the library is undergoing an expansion. This phase of the project requires crews to build a temporary wall and realign shelves and library materials.

Patrons will still be able to visit the Balboa, Corona del Mar and Mariners Branch libraries during regularly scheduled hours.

Those who have materials placed on hold at the Central Library can schedule a pickup at another branch by using the account management tools on the library website, or by calling (949) 717-3800.

An Oct. 20 event with author and New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin is still scheduled at the Central Library, but all other events have been cancelled or rescheduled.

For more information, call (949) 717-3801 or visit www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

–Mike Reicher

Twitter: @mreicherhttp://twitter.com/mreicher

Trees in area where woman died removed ahead of schedule

Work crews finished removing the roughly 100 eucalyptus trees from the Irvine Avenue median Wednesday, a day ahead of schedule, Newport Beach officials announced.

The city’s tree maintenance contractor West Coast Arborists initially estimated that the tree and stump removals would take two days to complete, but the work was finished quickly as a crew of about 30 workers cut throughout the day Wednesday.

Now city officials from Newport and Costa Mesa will contact nearby residents and business owners to help select a replacement species, Newport Spokeswoman Tara Finnigan said.

A 29-year-old woman died last week when a 10-ton eucalyptus fell and crushed her car. The trees were located in Costa Mesa and maintained under contract by Newport Beach.