Newport Beach : Panel Approves Cancer Center at Hoag Hospital

The California Coastal Commission on Thursday unanimously approved Hoag Memorial Hospital’s request to build a $15-million cancer center, clearing the way for construction to begin this summer.

The commission’s action was the final governmental hurdle for the medical facility. The center won approval from the Newport Beach City Council and Planning Commission last year despite objections from nearby condominium owners.

Members of the Villa Balboa Community Assn. were concerned that the three-story, 50,000-square-foot cancer center, to be located on the vacant bluffs at Coast Highway and Newport Boulevard, would obstruct their ocean views and generate heavy traffic. According to a spokeswoman for the hospital, the design was changed to reduce the height by 11 feet.

Cheri Phelps, vice president of the Irvine consulting firm Phillips Brandt Reddick, said residents opposed the project at Thursday’s commission meeting in San Diego, expressing concern about seismic safety and the natural occurrence of methane gas in the area.

Representatives for the condominium association could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Phelps said the hospital also agreed to construct “a trail connection for bicycles and pedestrians to get from the top of the bluff down to Coast Highway.” The new facility will permit Hoag to provide cancer treatment to about 100 patients a day on an outpatient basis, using state-of-the-art radiation equipment and drug therapy in addition to offering counseling. It is expected to open in 1988.