County won’t block annexation of Heights

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Orange County Board of Supervisors has agreed not to

stand in the way of the city’s proposed annexation of Santa Ana Heights.

“We support the idea that Costa Mesa and Newport Beach get together and

explore the idea of annexation,” Supervisor Tom Wilson said.

This comes as good news for Newport Beach city staff, who have been

negotiating the city’s largest-ever annexation effort since last fall.

The complex annexation will include Santa Ana Heights, Bay Knolls and

Newport Coast.

Although it was unusual for the city to request it, the supervisors’

support is key. There was early concern that the county might block the

process because of Santa Ana Heights’ proximity to John Wayne Airport,

Wilson said.

Deputy City Manager Dave Kiff said the announcement means one less hurdle

for Newport Beach. Other issues have included negotiating water rights

with the Irvine Ranch Water District, the county agreeing to a property

tax split and convincing Newport Coast residents that annexation is the

way to go, Kiff said.

Once the city borders of Santa Ana Heights are decided, the next step

will be for Newport Beach and Costa Mesa to meet and file an application

with the Local Agency Formation Commission, the state body that governs

incorporation and annexations.

The commission will then make the final decision.

Kiff said Newport Beach will propose drawing the line down Irvine Avenue,

giving Newport the east side and Costa Mesa the west side of Santa Ana

Heights.

This is still a hotly debated topic within the Santa Ana Heights

community, which does not want to be divided. Residents argue that a

split would threaten its identity.

Representatives from both sides say they want to be part of Newport

Beach, which has kicked up some bitter feelings in Costa Mesa.

There is also the lingering issue of finalizing negotiations with Newport

Coast. Six weeks ago, residents there threatened that unless the city

spends all of the $25 million it would receive from the Irvine Ranch

Water District on their community, they would oppose the annexation.

However, Kiff and Mayor John Noyes, who met with Newport Coast residents

last Friday, insist that despite the appearance of a six-week lag,

negotiations are moving forward.

“There really wasn’t a gap,” Kiff said, adding that the city had been

corresponding with Newport Coast representatives through letters and over

the phone.

City staff hopes to have all the loose ends tied up by April in order to

file a completed application and have a hearing with the commission by

late spring.