Newport Beach Commission Cool on Island Beach Passes, Smoking Ban

The Newport Beach Commission has come out unanimously against the idea of a combination beach pass that would allow Newporters to use beaches in Middletown and Portsmouth and vice versa.

In a memo to Newport Mayor Harry Winthrop and members of the City Council, the commission said that the commission unanimously does not support the idea of a combination pass “if it does not allow for an individual pass to just one beach.”

“We also feel that keeping track of revenues, costs, insurance, etc. make this a non-workable plan with no real merit,” the memo states.

Supporters of the idea suggested that it would give residents of the island more options when it comes to beach leisure. It would also reflect a common practice of residents in one community preferring a beach in a neighboring community, offering residential rates.

In terms of the smoking issue, the commission said while they can appreciate people’s desire to not sit next to someone who smokes and leaves butts behind, “we have a hard time understanding how and just who would be enforcing this law on the beaches,” the memo stated.

As it stands, there’s just no way to expect lifeguards to police the beach and the city just doesn’t have the resources to employ police details to walk the beach for smoking.

The commission does support more signage at the beach indicating there’s no smoking allowed and encouraging people to properly dispose of butts.

The commission’s report will be addressed at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.