Save Our Sports Park

COME TO THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY,  AUG 26th  4:00PM

LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD

100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
 

Dear Neighbors in Newport Beach near MacArthur and Bonita Canyon Drive,

 

(Including the Port Streets, The Knolls, Bonita Canyon, Belcourt, Big Canyon Villas, One Ford Road, and surrounding neighborhoods)

 

A  4-story 27-unit townhome project—The Ford Road Townhomes—was recently approved by the Newport Beach Planning Commission on July 3, 2025 during a holiday week when many local residents were traveling and unable to attend the meeting.

 

The development will be located on a vacant parcel adjacent to the Bonita Canyon Sports Park and the AT&T facility, on Ford Road. A grassroots group of concerned residents—Save Our Sports Park (S.O.S. Park)—has formed and submitted an appeal to this decision and to request further public review by the City Council. We believe this project raises important questions about compatibility, safety, and neighborhood impact that deserve full transparency and input from the surrounding community.

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 Key Concerns About the Project

1. Permanent Loss of a Natural Buffer Adjacent to the Park
While the parcel is not officially parkland, it has long served as a buffer of mature vegetation between the Bonita Canyon Sports Park and the Ford Road corridor. It's development would remove one of the few remaining natural green spaces in the area, with permanent impact on the park’s open feel and connection to surrounding neighborhoods.

 

2. Increased Density and Height in a Single Family/Two-Story Only Area
The proposed buildings are four stories tall and reach nearly 48 feet in height—a significant departure from the two-story character of neighboring homes. Under the new Housing Opportunity Overlay Zone (HO-4), the scale raises legitimate questions about neighborhood compatibility and visual impact.

 

3. Access, Safety,Traffic, and Parking Pressures
The project adds 27 homes and 182 estimated average daily vehicle trips. Although it includes 66 on-site parking spaces, it's shared driveway with the AT&T facility and proximity to Bonita Canyon Drive and Ford Road-already busy during school, weekends and sports hours-warrants a closer look. We are calling for clear access easements, enforcement of parking covenants, and monitoring of impacts on park users and nearby intersections. We have concerns about the Bonita Canyon Park City parking lot being used for overnight parking (which is not allowed per City signage) as well as visitor parking for the townhomes. 

 

4. Relocation of the Existing Monopole Raises Safety Questions
As part of the lot line adjustment, the AT&T wireless monopole will be relocated. However, the new location has not been publicly confirmed, and there are existing warning signs about EMF and RF exposure near the facility. Before relocation occurs, we believe the City should require a third-party, independent review of EMF/RF safety compliance, consistent with community health transparency best practices.

 

5. Limited Public Notification and Compressed Review Timeline
Many residents only learned of this project after the Planning Commission hearing. While the City met minimum legal notice requirements, the timing (July 3, 2025) and rapid pace have left many feeling that community voices were not fully considered in the approval process.

​

 What We’re Asking For

We’re not saying “no” to all development—we’re saying “yes” to thoughtful planning that reflects the character and priorities of the Newport Beach community. We believe:

• Development near public parks should complement community use, not detract from it

• Project designs should respect the scale and aesthetics of surrounding neighborhoods

• Decisions of lasting impact deserve clear public engagement and transparency

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What You Can Do-Input Matters

A formal appeal has been submitted to the City Council.

You can help by:

• Attending the City Council hearing -planned for August 26, 2025

• Joining our mailing list: saveoursportspark@gmail.com 

• If you have any expertise in this area and would like to help, email: saveoursportspark@gmail.com

• Volunteer to spread the word. Inform your friends and neighbors about the proposed development and it's potential impact on Bonita Canyon Sports Park and surrounding community. Spreading knowledge is crucial in uniting the community to take a stand

• Click on the "Information/Links" above to see the attached plan proposals

• Consider a financial contribution- see above for information for Zelle or check. Disclaimer: We are not a non profit organization. Donations are not tax deductible and funds go directly to attorney and consultant expenses related to the appeal.

 

Let’s work together to ensure that any future development near Bonita Canyon Sports Park enhances—not undermines—the safety, beauty, and livability of Newport Beach.

 

Thank you for standing with us,

S.O.S. Park – Save Our Sports Park
Community Advocates for Responsible Planning