IN BRIEF

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Greenlight Committee announced this weekend that it

is closing in on its goal of getting 9,000 signatures to ensure its

initiative gets on the Newport ballot.

The petition already has the 7,000 signatures needed to get the

initiative on the ballot, but because a 30% margin is recommended by

political advisors, the group has increased its objective.

The traffic initiative would require voter approval for any major change

to the city’s general plan that increases traffic density beyond current

levels.

This means that if a proposed development would create more than 100

additional peak-hour car trips, add more than 100 dwelling units or add

more than 40,000 square feet of floor area, it would require voter

approval.

Though city officials have been reluctant to comment on the initiative,

proponents have said that it is a necessary step to counter all of the

upcoming developments in Newport Beach.