This article has been updated: Sources have told WavePoolMag that the decision only affects the size and scope of the buildings allowed at the surf park, and that the approval for the wave pool still stands. In short that means the project can go ahead, but with drastically reduced commercial and retail space. We’ve received conflicting information from news outlets, but will be speaking to the developers of the project soon. We regret any confusion caused by the original title.
Newport Beach officials rescinded approval of General Plan Amendment to increase the development limit at Snug Harbor Surf Park from 20,000 square feet to 59,772 square feet, drastically reducing the size and scope of the project.
According to sources, the project received entitlement to replace three of the 18 golf holes at the public Newport Beach golf course, the putting green, pro shop, restaurant, and driving range, to make way for a wave pool. Opponents who favored keeping the three holes and extras collected enough signatures to force the matter onto a future ballot.
Instead of proceeding with a public vote, the city council chose to rescind the general plan amendment regarding building size, effectively rolling back the earlier approval. Council members cited avoiding tens of thousands of dollars in election costs as a major reason for choosing to rescind rather than hold a vote.
The move to rescind only affects the additional 40,000 square feet previously approved for Snug Harbor Surf Park buildings. The owners still have rights to redevelop 20,000 square feet. A 20,000 square foot area is about half of an American football field or a 100ft by 200ft rectangle.
“My job as a council member is not to tell an applicant what I want them to do with their private property,” Councilmember Sara J. Weber told the Voice of OC. “They have a right to pursue a project, and our job is to evaluate it fairly. “
Original designs for Snug Harbor span 15.38 acres, with a 7-acre Wavegarden Cove lagoon. Developers anticipate the facility will host up to 72 surfers in the point area (advanced) and the whitewater bays.
Access would be at the existing Irvine Avenue driveway, and include a new secondary entrance along Mesa Drive. On-site amenities for the original size would have included outdoor seating, lounge areas, wave-viewing platforms, cabanas, three pools, and a spa.
Additional features planned included surf retail, food and beverage services, locker rooms, and safety infrastructure such as lifeguard stations and towers. The main building would have been 49,000 square feet, while a secondary 9,432-square-foot structure would have housed 20 bungalow-style athlete accommodations.
The project was consistent with the Parks and Recreation designation but required a General Plan Amendment to increase the development limit from 20,000 square feet to 59,772 square feet.
More on this story from local news outlets OC Register and Voice of OC.
