Newport City Council OKs Lido House Hotel project

The Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved the Lido House Hotel project Tuesday night, eliciting whoops and applause from the audience.

Imagined by local developer Bob Olson as the “gateway to Lido Village and the Newport Peninsula,” the 130-room hotel was met largely with support by residents who said the area has long needed a boost.

Some argued there should be more parking. Others raised the issue of continuing litigation with Lido Partners over access to an alley. But many at the council meeting said they were thrilled with the plan.

“It’s been a long time coming,” resident Cindy Koller said, urging the council to get on with it.

After all, 14 months had passed since R.D. Olson was selected to develop its vision for the site, said Olson, president and CEO of the company.

Now it was down to the detail: Plans were underway to rededicate four trees. Emergency exits had been discussed with the fire department. Routes for service trucks had been mapped out.

“I know it has been a long process,” Community Development Director Kim Brandt said as the presentation began.

The 148 parking spaces also also reconfirmed by the planners to be more than enough, especially with an option of 24 added spaces if valets took over.

Once again, Olson presented the refined site plans for the hotel, which will include services such as a spa and restaurant. The Balboa Island resident reminded council members that the hotel was designed to reflect the area — an effort he said R.D. Olson makes with all its projects.

As such, the “beach-casual neighborhood icon” is supposed to resemble “the ultimate beach house in Newport Beach,” he said, with outdoor fireplaces and a bar like that at Shutters.

Mayor Rush Hill congratulated Olson on the project, praising its design and unique partnership between the public and a private entity.

“We do have a great developer and we’re going to have a fabulous hotel there,” Councilman Keith Curry agreed.

The vote was 6-0, with Councilman Mike Henn recused. The project will next require Coastal Commission approval.