Newport Beach plans to move ahead with annexation

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- City officials expect to file an application by late

February with the county agency that oversees annexations to bring in

three parts of the community now under county control.

While city officials originally had talked about a March annexation

date for Bay Knolls, Newport Coast and Santa Ana Heights, possible legal

challenges to additional construction in Newport Coast could hold up the

process.

The development of 825 more houses could be challenged by opponents

because Newport Beach -- unlike Orange County -- does not have a local

coastal program, which allows local government agencies to issue permits

for developments in California’s coastal zone.

City officials have introduced legislation in Sacramento to secure

permission to build the extra houses in the upscale community south of

Newport Beach. If passed, cities could take over existing local coastal

programs if they annex an area.

The move will probably postpone annexation until the beginning of next

year.

City Manager Homer Bludau said that by filing an application for

annexation with the Local Agency Formation Commission, the process could

get started as the proposed bill is making its way through the state

Legislature.

The commission must schedule public hearings to give residents living

in the three areas an opportunity to speak about their support or

opposition to the project.

“It’s for [the commission] to decide when the hearings are going to

take place,” said Bludau, adding that an early filing date also would

give city officials ample preparation time to provide municipal services

to the areas. “Just filing [an application] doesn’t mean that the clock

immediately starts. We can slow down the clock if we want to.”

Support for the annexation seems almost certain in Bay Knolls and

Santa Ana Heights. But some residents in Newport Coast have opposed plans

to incorporate the area, although community leaders have come out in

support of the proposal.

If less than 25% of the residents in the area oppose annexation at

public hearings, the application automatically will be successful. If up

to 49% protest, an election in the area must be scheduled to decide the

matter.

Along with his City Council colleagues, Mayor Gary Adams said he

supported a February filing date.

“I’m anxious to see [annexation] move forward,” he said. “I think it

makes sense to have the application going in tandem with the legislation.

. . . There are a lot of things that need to be done.”