PLANNING COMMISSION WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

Commissioners approved plans for an equestrian park in Santa Ana

Heights.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Orange County planning and development services department will

submit the proposal to the California Coastal Commission for approval.

The park will include fenced-in riding and lunging arenas. An area known

as “the mesa,” which has lost all vegetation due to horse riding, will be

fenced off to plant native plants and restore this section of the bluffs

in the Upper Bay.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“Go ride ‘em!” Edward Selich, planning commission chairman to riders

in the audience.

Vote: 7/0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Commissioners adopted a resolution that recommends City Council

approval of a General Plan Amendment, prezoning, and developer agreement

for Newport Coast and Newport Ridge.

WHAT IT MEANS:

This brings the city one step closer to annexing the neighborhoods to

the south. While the city would take over fire, police and community

services, it would not get involved in deciding on land use in the area.

The county will remain in charge of planning until the development is

completed. Commissioner Steven Kiser voted against adoption of the

resolution, saying he had not had enough time to review the development

agreement. Commissioner Anne Gifford abstained due to a possible conflict

of interest.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“It’s troubling to me that we are not going to have anything to say

[about land use in Newport Coast.]” Michael C. Kranzley, planning

commissioner.

Vote: 5-1-1 IN FAVOR / ABSTAINING / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Commissioners approved the Mariner’s Mile Strategic Vision and Design

Framework.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The document proposes guidelines to give the stretch of road a more

coherent look by adding landscaping and regulating signs. The document

now will go before the City Council. Commissioner Steven Kiser abstained

due to a possible conflict of interest.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I’m very happy to see this kind of effort come to fruition” Shant

Agajanian, planning commissioner.

Vote: 6 / 1 IN FAVOR / ABSTAINING

WHAT HAPPENED:

Commissioners approved new sign regulations for Balboa Peninsula.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The document encourages business owners on the peninsula to replace

their signs with more creative ones. During the first few years of the

new regulations, merchants will receive financial and design assistance

for new signs. All nonconforming signs will have to be taken down 15

years after the new policy takes effect. The proposal now goes before the

City Council.

Vote: 7 / 0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“This has Irvine written all over it... Gated communities are not in

our character. It doesn’t belong in Newport Beach.” -- Allan Beek, 73,

voicing his opposition to the annexation of Newport Coast.

NEXT MEETING

Oct. 5, 7 p.m. City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.