Title
Variance Request: Dock Reconfiguration at 2100-2102 E. Balboa Blvd.
Recommendation
Bay House 2100 (“Applicant”), property owner of 2100 and 2102 E. Balboa Blvd, applied for a lot merger for the portion of the properties within the City of Newport Beach (“City”) permit jurisdiction. The lot merger application was approved by the City on June 12, 2025, and an application for the portion of the properties located within California Coastal Commission (“CCC”) permit jurisdiction is currently under review by the CCC. The dock system at 2100 E. Balboa Blvd. currently has two approved U-shaped slips, and the property at 2102 E. Balboa Blvd. has an existing, approved single side-tie dock positioned parallel to the bulkhead. The Applicant proposes to reconfigure both dock systems by combining them into one system that spans the future merged lots and maintain two U-shaped slips and a single side-tie dock parallel to the bulkhead (“Project”). However, Newport Beach Municipal Code (“NBMC”) allows only a single pier and slip bayward of each lot. Therefore, because two U-shaped slips are not allowed, the Applicant is requesting a variance to allow two slips (in the form of a double U-shaped slip) bayward of the future, single merged lot.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Conduct a public hearing; and
2. Find the Project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) (Preliminary Review) and Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3; and
3. Adopt Resolution HC2025-002 of the Harbor Commission of the City of Newport Beach, California approving variance No. HCVAR2025-001 to allow two slips bayward of the merged residential lot located at 2100-2102 E. Balboa Boulevard.