Newport Beach Withdraws Application To Remove Fire Rings
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The city of Newport Beach has withdrawn its application to remove fire rings from its beaches, officials said Wednesday.
The city manager wrote a letter Tuesday to the California Coastal Commission and smog boards stating the city wants to keep its 60 rings.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District had proposed a basin-wide ban of fire pits that sparked a heated debate.
Newport Beach officials had requested to remove 33 fire rings near Balboa Pier and another 27 rings on a stretch of Corona del Mar State Beach citing complaints from residents, maintenance costs, liability and bad air quality caused by the burning of wood and other items in the fire rings.
The Coastal Commission, which was scheduled to vote on the ban July 11, was expected to deny the city's request, KNX1070's Jon Baird reports.
Newport Beach Withdraws Application To Remove Fire Rings
AQMD is scheduled to vote July 12. The board had suggested a proposal to restrict fire rings, allowing them as long as they are located at least 700 feet from the nearest residence and at least 100 feet apart.
It was unclear why Newport Beach reversed its request.
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