Forward: For a systematic, detailed, professional exposure of
Scientology's "Narconon" front group, visit the
Narconon Exposed web site.
Subject: illegal expansion at Narconon Newport Beach (CA)
Call to action sent 9/9/05, and webbed at:
http://Stop-Narconon.org/Newport-Beach
Summary: the City of Newport Beach intends to violate its own zoning
regulations and approve a near doubling of the occupancy permit for
Narconon Newport Beach, in the face of ongoing, strenuous objections
from nearby homeowners.
The author of this call to action, Professor Linda Orozco, is a
neighbor and vocal critic of Narconon, and has received threats from
them in the past.
-- Dave Touretzky: "No wonder Scientology hates the Internet"
================================================================
From: "Orozco, Linda"
The Hijacking of the 18th St. Beach/Point in Newport Beach
AN OCEANFRONT BUSINESS WITH 49 PERSONS AND ONLY 3 PARKING SPACES?
The city of Newport Beach plans to double the occupancy of Narconon, a
multi-million dollar business operating from a residential property at
1810 W. Oceanfront. In July the city staff approved a building permit
for extensive remodeling, and, when completed, will 'double' the
occupancy from 27 to 49 in this residential property! The email below
from the city attorney's office confirms this expansion. And remember,
this 'residential property' only has 3 parking spaces, alley-only access
and is oceanfront. THERE GOES ALL PUBLIC PARKING IN THE AREA!
THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ACTION BY THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH. It is an
illegal 'intensification of use'. It violates City Zoning Code
(20.62.050-A) AND Calif. Coastal Commission requirements for permits and
approval. This $4 million dollar a year business operates from this
residential triplex without any Conditional Use Permit or review by the
City Planning Commission. Any 'intensification of use' requires City
Planning Commission approval. In addition, it requires a Calif. Coastal
Commission review because it is an 'intensification of use' and
directly/negatively impacts beach access and parking for the public.
Forty-nine persons (22 staff) and only 3 parking spaces? Imagine! [AND
the property owners won approval for a condo conversion years ago which
doesn't permit anyone occupying the basement, but this 'new' expansion
DOES. What happen to the condo conversion requirements?] SO why did
the city staff approve this expansion? Money? Narconon's contributions
to city political campaigns? You be the judge.
TOGETHER we can stop this hijacking of the Beach/Point at 18th St.
FIRST, CONTACT THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION to complain and ask
them to STOP this illegal 'intensification of use'. The California
Coastal Commission is a state commission with significant power to
enforce and protect coastal areas and public access. Their phone number
is (562) 590-5071, email: awillis@coastal.ca.gov , mailing address:
Deborah Lee, Sr. Deputy Director, 200 Oceangate, 10th Floor, Long Beach,
CA 90802-4416. In addition, the Calif. Coastal Commission will be
considering Newport Beach's Local Coastal Plan in October. The city
demonstrates such disregard for beach access, illegal expansion with NO
consideration for public parking-how can they be responsible for
enforcing ANY Coastal Plan? Shouldn't the Calif. Coastal Commission to
STOP & DENY the approval of the City's Coastal Plan until the city can
demonstrate consistent and honest ACTION in preserving our coastal
resources & access?
SECOND, CONTACT CITY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS and ask them WHY hasn't this
expansion been brought to them for a Conditional Use Permit? Ask them
to REQUIRE that city staff bring this expansion before them for
approval. Commissioners can be reached by calling them directly at the
numbers below.
Michael Toerge, Chair 949-723-1075
CONTACT NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER MEDIA and publicize this outrageous
decision. Write Letters to the Editor and contact reporters. This
expansion affects ALL beachgoers around Southern California.
STILL HAVE ENERGY, and do YOU have any influence with City Council
Members? Then you may wish to contact City Council Members- but, be
warned that, after 2 years of written and oral complaints by hundreds of
residents (and two public hearings!) there has been NO improvement nor
action on the city's part to curtail this multi-million dollar business
operation. The city has failed for 2 years to EVER enforce the current
27 person maximum occupancy (staff & clients). We have video of over 40
people on the property on a consistent basis. ASK the Fire Chief why
the city has never enforced occupancy.
Fire Chief Riley may NOT speak
to you- as he has refused to meet with our group of homeowners and
residents for over a year. Instead he will say he has "been directed to
refer all inquiries regarding Narconon to the Planning Dept". The City
Fire Chief 'has been directed' NOT to address occupancy complaints? By
whom? Why? Amazing, isn't it?
Drive by and watch the massive
remodeling being done. Want proof of over occupancy? Watch this
residence at about 9:30am when most of the occupants head to the roof
for a break. Watch 'clients' brought in every morning by van from Costa
Mesa and Huntington Beach at 8:30am. They even 'sneak' around and walk
in from the bike path to avoid our video cameras! We consistently and
on video count at least 40 on the property. The City Council has failed
the countless residents, homeowners, beachgoers and others that have
sought their help for two years.
Your concern, complaints and outrage
can be directed to City Council Members via email at:
John Heffernan newport7@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTE. Make a small or large donation to "PROTECT THE POINT c/o
Linda Orozco", and mail to Dr. Linda C. Orozco, CSUF, EC Bldg, Room 190,
P.O. Box 6868, Fullerton, California 92834. Email address:
Lorozco@fullerton.edu ALL monies collected will be used to fight this
city-approved hijacking of the 18th Street Beach/Point.
PASS/SHARE this email with residents, home owners, neighbors, beach
goers, surfers and ALL interested in Protecting the 18th Street
Beach/Point from this INTENSIFICATION nightmare.
THANK YOU for sharing our outrage at the City of Newport Beach's
arrogance to SELL OUT this public beach & surf spot to this
multi-million dollar rehab business.
FROM: "Protect the Point" community group
Email: Lorozco@fullerton.edu
================
Hi Linda,
I want to thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. Based
on the issues you raised, our office met with the building, fire and
code enforcement departments to discuss your concerns. At the meeting,
we discussed the occupancy limits and the basis for thereof.
Based on our review of all information related to the property, we
determined that the current Certificate of Occupancy at 1810 W. Ocean
Front allows nine (9) total occupants per floor and a total of 27
occupants for the entire building. This includes patients, staff, and
visitors. The plan that has been approved and permit issued would, upon
completion of the work, extend the amount of occupants to a total of 49
for the entire building and be distributed as follows:
1. Basement: 0 residing and 9 support staff
In general, after the completion of work the occupancy limits will be
modified as set forth above. The increase in the occupancy limits is
appropriate, once the work is complete, based on the modifications to
the building.
As a result of your concerns our office and the applicable departments
have investigated your concerns. While our office cannot divulge the
specifics of our investigation, I can convey to you that our recent
investigation revealed no current violation of the occupancy standards.
Aaron C. Harp,
The name "Narconon"® is trademarked to the Scientology
organization through one of their many front groups. The name
"Scientology"® is also trademarked to the "Church"
of Scientology. Neither this web page, nor this web site, nor any of the
individuals mentioned herein assisting to educate the public about the
dangers of the Narconon scam are members of or representitives of the
Scientology organization.
If you or a loved one needs help -- real help -- there are
a number of rehabilitation programs you can contact. The real
Narcotics Anonymous organization
can get you in touch with real people who can help you.
Click [HERE] to visit Narcotivs
Anonymous's web site. Narcotics Anonymous's telephone number is
1 (818) 773-9999.
Return to The NarCONon exposure's main Index page.
Date: 10 Sep 2005
Jeffrey Cole, Vice Chair 949-477-4710
Michael Henn Fax: 626-256-6873
Larry Tucker 949-251-2045
Barry Eaton 949-760-1691
Robert Hawkins 949-650-5550
Earl McDaniel 714-578-7638
Dick Nichols nbcouncil@ranichols.info
Don Webb don2webb@earthlink.net
Ed Selich edselich@adelphia.net
Steve Rosansky parahdigm@aol.com
Leslie Daigle lesliejdaigle@aol.com
Tod Ridgeway tridgeway@city.newport-beach.ca.us
EMAIL FROM CITY ATTORNEY (excerpt)
-----Original Message-----
From: Harp, Aaron [mailto:aharp@city.newport-beach.ca.us ]
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 8:55 AM
To: Orozco, Linda
Cc: Riley, Tim (Fire); Elbettar, Jay; Temple, Patty; Clauson, Robin
Subject: RE: #2: ENFORCEMENT OF OCCUPANCY
2. First Floor: 9 residing and 3 support staff
3. Second Floor: 10 residing and 4 support staff
4. Third Floor: 8 residing and 6 support staff
5. Roof Deck: 0 occupants
Total: 27 residing and 22 support staff
Assistant City Attorney- City of Newport Beach
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