NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Newport Beach City Council approved changes Tuesday to the city’s

Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee.

WHAT IT MEANS:

While the citizens advisory committee has only reviewed and commented

on planning and environmental documents of city projects, members will

now also look at documents under review by other agencies that could

potentially affect Newport Beach.

The committee’s makeup will also change. It will include two council

members, one Economic Development Committee member, a resident at large

as chairman, seven members appointed by council members from the

respective districts, seven residents at large, four members from

homeowners or community associations, and three members knowledgeable

about environmental issues of concern to the city or the administration

of the California Environmental Quality Act. Members will serve “at the

pleasure of the mayor” rather than limiting terms to one year.

Vote: 7 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members postponed a decision on outlawing pedicabs and surrey

cycles on public property from Coast Highway to the ocean.

WHAT IT MEANS:

This delay will give the city time to review the scope of the problem

the surreys cause and allow businesses to show they can come up with

regulations to ensure that renters know how to ride the cycles safely.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I can assure you that of the people living on the boardwalk, there’s

no one that has not been hurt” by surreys. -- Councilman Tod Ridgeway

Vote: 7 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members agreed to set aside $350,000 for a proposed community

center and museum on Balboa Island.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city will pay for part of the $1-million cost to buy the island’s

old fire station and turn it into a museum and community center. The

Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society is committed to raising

$650,000 and has asked the city to pick up the remainder.

The city will contribute its share as long as the historical society

can raise its portion and commits to using the building only as a

community center and museum.

Vote: 7 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members discussed new sign regulations for Balboa Peninsula

and will hold another public hearing Nov. 14 to approve the changes.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The document encourages business owners on the peninsula to replace

their existing 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.

Vote: 7 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members initiated general plan changes to add a

440-square-foot filing room to an office building on Upper Newport Plaza

and a 2,160-square-foot lobby extension to another office building on Von

Karman Avenue.

WHAT IT MEANS:

City officials will prepare any necessary environmental documents. The

amendments will then be addressed at public hearings at the Planning

Commission and the City Council.

Vote: 7 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“If you pass this, I’m going to be out on the street.” -- Alfieri

Schinaia, pleading with council members to reconsider a ban on surrey

cycles. Schinaia has a surrey rental business on Balboa Island.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at City Hall, 3300

Newport Blvd.