NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED

Tuesday’s meeting was dedicated to Rosalind Williams, the president of

the city’s Conference and Visitors Bureau, who died Sunday.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“It was an extreme shock to our family, as I know it was to the

community, to learn of her passing,” said Councilman Dennis O’Neil. “Her

courageous fight and battle to defeat [breast cancer] was really

remarkable. I know her faith sustains her, and she is in a much better

place today.”

WHAT HAPPENED

The council initiated the process of adding an optional “harbor and bay

element” to the general plan.

WHAT IT MEANS

Although the vote only means that the amendment process is beginning and

not that the amendment has actually been passed, the approval of this

measure was surprisingly not controversial. At a May council meeting, two

council members expressed concerns that the harbor element could

potentially threaten property rights.

VOTE: 6-0 in favor

WHAT HAPPENED

The council rejected a proposal to initiate a general plan amendment that

would allow the development of a plot of open space at MacArthur

Boulevard and San Joaquin Hills Road.

WHAT IT MEANS

St. Mark Presbyterian Church, which hoped to develop the site, will have

to reapply for a general plan amendment in four months.

The discussion of this question was spirited, with O’Neil initially

making a motion to support the measure and then retracting his motion

after listening to comments by the public and other council members.

WHAT THEY SAID

“We’re in a very controversial time right now,” said Mayor John Noyes. “I

don’t think it’s the time to lump on another project.”

VOTE: 6-0 against

SOUNDING OFF

“The fact is that the council has procrastinated on this project for a

long time. Now we’ve taken it one step further to really slow it down:

we’ve formed a committee.”

-- Noyes, offering a deadpan explanation of the council’s decision to

look more closely at a proposed arts and education center.

NEXT MEETING

The Newport Beach City Council will meet at 7 p.m. July 10 at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.