READERS RESPOND -- Differing views on Heights annexation

I am offering, herewith, an opinion of what I believe are the issues

regarding the annexation of Santa Ana Heights, Eastside.

First off, we should all recognize and agree that the current proposed

annexation is and can only be the Eastside, which is clearly surrounded

by Newport Beach and clearly meets the definition of sphere of influence.

The following conditions would gather the support necessary:

1) I believe that the voters on annexation of the Eastside will strongly

support the annexation independently of the Westside, but it would also

endorse the Westside addition if it can be done through the various

agencies and cities. One would not have to be contingent on the other.

2) No new taxes or special assessments or service fees would accompany or

be a result of annexation.

3) Assurances that the city has adopted the Santa Ana Specific Plan in

its current form.

4) The city will pledge to provide services consistent with other areas

of Newport Beach.

5) Acknowledge that the city and Santa Ana Heights residents have a

common goal of support for an airport at El Toro and no expansion of John

Wayne Airport.

In addition to the above, the city could offer a voice and guidance as to

making sure the Santa Ana Heights community is getting the maximum

allocation of redevelopment funds, (which are substantial and

continuing), with which to fund capital improvements in our neighborhood.

If the above simple format is followed, I believe the annexation efforts

would pass overwhelmingly and without delay. To try and bring up a lot of

petty issues will most likely be destructive in the move for annexation

at this time. Personally, I could definitely leave the area as county

land, but I believe there will be pressure on the city from the Local

Agency Formation Commission in the future to annex our area. Also, at

this time, as both the community and city have recognized a possible

gain, it is probably the time to move forward.

DAN DeMILLE

Santa Ana Heights

I think we need to have an independent attorney representing the Santa

Ana Heights residents review the Newport Beach annexation proposal in

order to make an intelligent, informed decision regarding our future

here.

We need to know both sides of this issue, not just the one proposed at

the pep rally last Tuesday night at the Crean’s estate. Annexation may be

good for us or not, but we need the facts.

Why not ask each Santa Ana Heights resident to contribute $25 toward

legal fees and have the Santa Ana Heights Planning Advisory Committee

hire an attorney for us? Pretty good investment.

PEGGY CALHOUN

Santa Ana Heights

I am totally in favor of Newport Beach annexing Santa Ana Heights. I do

own horses and goats and chickens and so on. And Newport will retain the

flavor of this neighborhood. And I think other people are putting out

mistruths about what Newport will come and do here. The neighborhood will

stay the same. I am in favor of Newport Beach annexation. The county

services offered today are totally inadequate.

JEFFREY HAMILTONSanta Ana Heights

South County has their saying: “No Way, No How, No Jets!” Santa Ana

Heights residents west of Irvine Avenue have their saying: “No Way, No

How, No Costa Mesa!” What part of “no” does the Costa Mesa council still

not understand? The same residents that years ago petitioned against

Costa Mesa are still saying no and will continue to say no.

Costa Mesa has done nothing for us, and have only recently awoke from

their sleepy slumber to announce that they would start fighting the

airport. Why would we settle for a frozen TV dinner when Five Crowns is

at our door? Newport Beach will preserve our community and fight against

commercial development and airport expansion. Costa Mesa, on the other

hand, is destroying the feel of Eastside Costa Mesa by greedily devouring

the low-density housing for pack-em and stack-em six-plexes.

Rather than beat a dead horse, Costa Mesa should seriously concentrate on

bettering their own city and leave Santa Ana Heights annexation to

Newport Beach. They asked to annex us, we applauded, now sit down.

Westside needs your attention.

RUSSELL NIEWIAROWSKI

Santa Ana Heights

In a true democracy those of us living in the Heights would be given a

choice of staying in the unincorporated county or being annexed by Costa

Mesa or Newport Beach. However, it appears that the Local Agency

Formation Commission will ultimately make that decision for us.

The thought of having [Costa Mesa or Newport Beach City Council members]

making governmental decisions about my neighborhood makes me want to send

out an alarm to my neighbors to circle the wagons. I prefer to remain in

the unincorporated county.

JEFFREY LITTELL

Santa Ana Heights

I oppose Costa Mesa’s annexation of West Santa Ana Heights and support

Newport Beach’s annexation of all of the Heights. Keep the community

together.

DAVID PLISCO

Santa Ana Heights

I think a better question would be, should unincorporated areas of Orange

County be annexed? That would leave the decision up to the residents. It

would also leave some decision-making power in the hands of the cities

wanting to annex those areas. As was seen at the meeting Tuesday night,

some people are for annexation some against. Most in this case were in

favor of Newport Beach annexing all of Santa Ana Heights. Santa Ana

Heights is in a unique situation of bordering two cities. Should the

residents have the right to choose which city incorporates them?

Absolutely. Should the Local Agency Formation Commission have the ability

to break up a cohesive community? I think not.

I think you had many good quotes in your articles. But I believe you

missed the best. That being the owner of the Convalescent Hospital on

Santa Ana Avenue. He said he has been there for 26 years and has never

seen a street sweeper in that time. I have lived in Santa Ana Heights for

about five years and have seen a street sweeper once, that being during

the recent resurfacing of the streets. This one time I saw the sweeper in

action he didn’t even sweep the gutters. He swept only to the asphalt

edge of the area to be resurfaced. This is the kind of service the

residents have come to expect out of the county. In one of your articles,

you quote Allan Roeder as saying “the county has indicated that they want

to get out of the business of providing municipal services.” Apparently

the county got out of that line 26 years ago for some of its services.

I think you should look at recent history here from the view of the

residents. About two years ago during the breakup of the Santa Ana

Heights Water District there were two bidders. One being Irvine Ranch

Water District and the other being Mesa Consolidated Water District. At

that time the property owners were courted by each water district. But

because of Costa Mesa’s attempts for three or more years to annex their

supposed portion of Santa Ana Heights, the property owners voted for

Irvine Ranch Water District. Costa Mesa has created a sort of backlash

against itself.

BRIAN WECKLICH

Santa Ana Heights