NEWPORT BEACH : Hospital’s Proposal Gets Planners’ OK

The Planning Commission overwhelmingly approved Hoag Hospital’s master plan proposal this week, catering to the hospital’s desire for bigger buildings and smaller landscape zones but approving a shorter development agreement than the hospital requested.

The 6-0 vote, with Commissioner Barry Gross absent, came just before midnight Thursday on the fifth night of public hearings on the controversial project, before a dwindling crowd of opponents and supporters.

“I believe this is good planning,” said Commissioner Norma J. Glover. “This has been a very healthy democratic process. I think the plan is well-balanced and it’s going to be a good plan for the community.”

Sitting behind a 2-foot-high stack of staff reports, environmental documents and alternative residential proposals that blocked his view of the chambers, Chairman Gary Di Sano personally thanked community members who participated in the hearings.

“All of us have read all of that,” he said. “These people have brought to our mind what it’s like to live next to the hospital.”

Commissioners took straw votes on a number of outstanding areas of disagreement between the hospital proposal and city staff recommendations on the plan, which is a framework for future development at the hospital over the next two decades.

They agreed to allow building up to three stories instead of imposing two-story limits, in the row of new structures proposed along West Coast Highway.

They also allowed smaller distances between those buildings and the highway than staff recommended, but mandated larger open spaces than the hospital wanted on the hospital’s eastern border on the bluff above Newport Boulevard.

Commissioners also toned down a restriction on deliveries. Instead of mandating particular delivery hours to cut down on residential noise, the commission simply requested that the hospital try to implement such a policy.

However, commissioners approved only a 25-year development agreement, which is shorter than the 30-year agreement that the hospital wanted, after the latter had scaled back from its initial 40-year request.

Hoag officials seemed pleased with the final product, which still needs to win approval from the City Council and the Coastal Commission.

“I’m certainly pleased and gratified, and somewhat relieved,” said Hoag President Michael D. Stephens. “I think it’s a fair and reasonable outcome.”

Opponents of the massive development proposal, however, most of whom live in condominiums next door to the hospital, were disappointed with the vote.

“They gave a lot of time to it, but they didn’t hear the arguments,” said William S. Jennings, a resident opposed to parts of the plan.

The residents said they plan to continue their opposition and suggestions for alternative plans at the upcoming City Council hearing on the project. Members of Hoag 2010, a citywide hospital support group, also are likely to continue their support at the hearing.