16 • April 8 - 21, 2016 • The Log


Height increase cleared for new Channel Islands Harbor hotel


Board of Supervisors’ decision clears the way for new restau- rant and hotel in the harbor.


By Catherine French


VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the sixth amendment to the Channel Islands Harbor Public Works Plan (PWP) during a March 22 meet- ing, paving the way for Brighton Management to build a new hotel and restaurant on the harbor’s peninsula. The long-closed and blighted prop-


erties — Casa Sirena Hotel and the Lobster Trap Restaurant — are now one step closer to being razed with a brand new hotel and a 5,000-square- foot restaurant taking their place. The amendment to the PWP was


necessary to increase the number of hotel rooms from 184 to 210 and raise the building height to 55 feet (up from 45 feet). The new moderate cost hotel will include ample meeting and park- ing space. The previous meeting space was located in the Lobster Trap Restaurant, accounting for 7,000 square feet of the 12,000-square-foot space. The Nautilus Plaza area of the


property would provide a seating area


where patrons waiting for seating at a restaurant could enjoy a har- bor view as they wait. “This new development will make the harbor a lot more wel- coming to the public and not just for the hotel users,” said Supervisor Linda Parks. Brighton Management held nine public forums since 2015 to share its vision for the 10-acre parcel. The feedback was positive during those meetings and the project garnered strong support. The new project will include a 10- foot-wide 1,500-foot-long waterside promenade; bicycle racks and rentals will be available to encourage people to tour the harbor without using a car. Charging stations will be available for electric cars; and, the property will be able to accommodate guests being shuttled in from local airports and train stations. Three speakers from the March 22 meeting all spoke in favor of the proj- ect and vocalized one main concern: they wanted to be sure the traffic study took into account other devel- opment in the area including Fisherman’s Wharf on the harbor’s east side as well as new construction at the nearby Ventura County Naval Base. Supervisor Steve Bennett compli-


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The building elevations for the proposed restaurant and hotel in Channel Islands Harbor show a revamped waterfront with several amenities for visitors.


mented the speakers for doing their homework and for bringing both their support and concerns: “The most valid concern is the cumulative impacts on traffic from all develop- ment going on in the area,” he said. Supervisor Parks explained the traf- fic study takes into consideration all projects in the area. Joseph Fan, president of Brighton


Management, a boater who is living locally to oversee the completion of these projects, thanked the public for their support and input. Brighton operates seven hotels in


Ventura County including: Holiday Inn Express and Four Points Sheraton, Ventura Harbor, Ventura Beach Sheraton, Holiday Inn Express, Port Hueneme, Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn, Oxnard, and the


Hampton Inn, Channel Islands Harbor. Speaking about the Board’s


approval, Harbor Director Lyn Krieger said, “It’s been a long wait to get such great plans in place. The recession decimated the hotel industry. We have had several developers interested, but Brighton’s plans are the best I’ve seen and the new development will provide access for hotel guests, locals and tourists to enjoy our waterfront.” The amendment to the PWP will go


to the California Coastal Commission in April and then again to the state agency in the fall with final plans. Demolition and construction are slat- ed to begin in 2017 with the new hotel and restaurant to open in 2018. The estimated cost for the com- plete the project is $35 million.


Orange County seeks bids for Newport Harbor Patrol headquarters repair


Board of Supervisors approves an advertisement for bids for planned Marine Ways Repair Project.


By Parimal M. Rohit


SANTA ANA — Orange County hopes to soon hire a vendor to repair an anti- quated system for maintaining Newport Beach’s fleet of six fireboats and seven patrol boats. The Orange County Board of


Supervisors approved on March 15 an advertisement of bids for the planned Marine Ways Repair Project. Bid docu- ments, plans and specifications of the upgrades at Harbor Patrol Headquarters in Newport Beach were also approved by supervisors last month. Interested parties submitted bids to the county on April 6. Upgrading the marine ways mainte- nance system would cost about $350,000, according to county staff. Existing infrastructure, which serv-


ices six fireboats and seven patrol boats, is both dated and deteriorating,


stated. Harbor Patrol uses the ways system to haul boats out of the water. “Boats are hauled out of the water on a ‘ways cart,’” county staff explained of the Marine Ways System. “The cart is con- structed of steel and aluminum and runs on two railroad-type tracks. The tracks are mounted on an inclined ramp that leads from the water into the repair facility.”


Whoever is selected to


The Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol looks to upgrade its boat repair system within these next few months. The Marine Ways System allows patrol boats to be hauled out of the bay.


according to county staff. “The existing Marine Ways was built in 1956 and has deteriorated and is under capacity,” county staff stated in a report to supervisors. “The Marine Ways System allows for maintenance of the Harbor Patrol’s fleet of fireboats and patrol boats.”


Repairs and upgrades are needed after the current Marine Ways System experienced overuse and too much exposure to the elements. “As a result of extended use and the


prolonged exposure to salt water con- ditions, the tracks are severely worn and need to be replaced,” county staff


upgrade the Marine Ways System would be required to demolish existing infrastructure – which includes a ways rail, frame, foun- dation support and concrete slab – and replace it with new railing, framing, pilings and cor-


rosion protection. The new tracks will be extended by about 23 feet, county staff added. Construction is planned to take


place over 130 working days. Supervisors approved the bid announcement and plan specifications as part of its consent calendar.


Parimal M. Rohit photo


Rendering courtesy of Catherine French


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