First Greenlight debate set for tonight

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The so-called Greenlight slow-growth measure will be

debated in a public forum for the first time tonight at City Hall.

The West Newport Beach Assn. is hosting the event, which will feature

Greenlight spokesman Phil Arst and Chamber of Commerce president Richard

Luehrs. Both will make a short presentation and then field questions from

the audience.

The “Protect From Traffic and Density” initiative, set to appear on the

November ballot, proposes to give voters the final say on developments

that require “major” general plan amendments. “Major” is defined as those

that will generate a certain number of traffic trips, houses or square

footage, but because of the way the measure is written, even small

developments could require citywide votes.

Proponents have argued that the measure will curb the increasing traffic

problem in the city -- an issue that appealed to the 9,000 residents who

signed the petition to get the measure on the ballot.

“I’m going to cover the basic question of whether we have two choices on

how we proceed with the city,” Arst said. “Will there be a knee-jerk

reaction whenever there’s an alleged financial need, or are we going to

seek a balanced city stressing high quality of life for residents.”

The measure’s opponents, including most of the city council, say it will

be ineffective against traffic. Councilwoman Jan Debay said developments

will simply move next door and Newport will be stuck with commuter

traffic.

There is also the fear that residents will be continually called to the

ballot box to vote on proposals. As a result, opponents believe voters

will simply vote against everything, thereby strangling the city’s

financial sources.

The forum is part of an effort by the new leadership of the West Newport

Assn., led by president Al Silcock, to increase community involvement in

local government.

The Greenlight initiative -- which would drastically change the way the

city operates -- has become one of the most important issues facing city

residents and its leaders.

As such, debate organizers are encouraging as many people as possible to

attend tonight’s meeting.

FYI

The debate on the Greenlight initiative, hosted by the West Newport

Assn., begins at 7 p.m. today in council chambers at City Hall, 3300

Newport Blvd.