Homeowners DebateTurning Lido Isle Into Gated Community

OC isn’t quite done with this election cycle. There’s a heated vote taking place on increasingly upscale Lido Isle: Some of the close to 900 homeowners are pushing to have the enclave turned into a gated community, and others are pushing just as hard to prevent it. Ballots have gone out, with a submission deadline of March 31. Lido Isle Community Association prez John Wortmann, who claims neutrality, is seeking a simple up-or-down vote from homeowners on whether to do a feasibility study of privatizing the island’s streets and constructing a gate house on Via Lido, at the only entrance to the island (from Balboa Peninsula). One estimate by proponents is that it would cost each homeowner $16 a month for the island to take over street maintenance from Newport Beach, pay for guards, etc. But there’s a much bigger uncertainty: the Coastal Commission, which could nix an attempt to restrict public access to the waterfront. One resident-observer sees the showdown as pitting younger and wealthier newcomers who want the gate against long-time and older residents who like things the way they’ve been. Backers of the gated community concept cite increased security, better street control and increased home values. Opponents say a gate won’t lower Lido’s already low crime rate, and that it would increase residents’ liability and create an inconvenience Sandi Cain observes that the new hotel on the Hilton Waterfront property in Huntington Beach isn’t even built and they’ve already changed its name, from Ocean Grand Resort to Grand Coast Resort and Spa. By any name, it’s two years in waiting Bad omen for the liquor and cola businesses: Drink count at the bar of the Daily Grill in Irvine during a weekday lunch hour: nine iced teas, one lemonade, one water and one red wine Measure F rules (for now), but some pro-airport insiders say the board of supervisors could become even more pro-El Toro airport. That’s because with Democrats expected to dictate redistricting next year, OC could be remapped to throw all of the anti-airport hotbeds into Tom Wilson’s south OC district, possibly turning a 3-2 airport edge on the board into a 4-1 advantage. Organized labor would be expected to help execute this game plan Consultant Scott Hart of Ellis Hart Associates, a Measure F loser, on the winners: “They bought it fair and square.” PR consultant Meg Waters, a Measure F winner: “I’d like Newport Beach to meet their new neighbors, South County” Charitable doings at the Hyatt Regency Irvine: Former Angels infielder Rex “Wonder Dog” Hudler will speak and a Mercedes Cabriolet will be auctioned off at this Friday’s March of Dimes 2000 Leaders Breakfast, a kickoff for the 30th anniversary of WalkAmerica. Call (949) 263-1100. The Sophisticates’ 17th annual luncheon and fashion show, featuring the Nordstrom collection, is set for March 30. Proceeds benefit the Assessment and Treatment Center for troubled kids and their families. Call (714) 730-6529.