A wave park approved in Newport Beach will be up for another vote, whether the council changes its mind tonight, Jan. 27, or the public has its say in a future election
The City Council approved the Snug Harbor Surf Park to replace part of the Newport Beach Golf Course in October, a plan opposed by proponents who don’t want to lose any holes at the facility, which they said is affordable and has been a staple in the city for decades.
They collected enough signatures on a referendum to force a public vote on a general plan amendment that was part of the project approval.
The question before the council tonight is whether its members want to reverse the prior approval of the wave pool project or, if not, which future ballot to put the referendum on, the June 2 primary or the Nov. 3 general election.
The man-made wave pool and amenities are set to replace three holes on the golf course, a driving range, restaurant, bar and pro shop set. The 15 acres are part of three parcels that make up the course.
The 55-year lease for the parcel in question is up, and it’s unknown whether the land owner would keep the golf course intact even if the referendum passes.
The county-owned land north of Irvine Avenue, where holes 10-18 sit, would remain unchanged by the project. A third parcel with holes 3-8, south of Mesa Drive, would also remain, with a golf cart path planned to connect the back nine with the front six holes.
The wave pool would be the first of its kind in Orange County, however several are in the works in the region. Palm Springs Surf Club is already making waves, while DSRT Surf in Palm Desert is under construction, as is another wave pool in Oceanside.
The backers of the project are banking on interest in the consistent waves, expecting 700 daily visitors, with 140 more for a “surf academy” and 280 more visiting the restaurant on site.
The project has been approved to build a three-story, 50-foot-tall building for a surf academy, shop and restaurant, with a second floor for fitness and yoga, with locker rooms and a lounge, and a third floor dedicated to office space and a VIP music recording studio.
The basement would have golf cart and surfboard storage. Another 40-foot, 2-story building would have short-term accommodations for athletes with 20 rooms.
Parking would offer 351 spots, 95 for golfers of the remaining 15-hole course.
Newport Beach resident Steven Vickers filed the referendum petition challenging the General Plan amendment that increased the allowable development limit.
The Orange County Registrar of Voters has certified that the petition gathered the required number of valid signatures to place the matter on the ballot, according to the city.
There were 9,504 signatures filed, 6,143 of which were found valid. The required amount was 6,118 signatures.
A vote by the public would cost the city an estimated $113,986 to $143,606, according to the staff report.