Coast annexation back on

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- A surprise overturn of the Newport Coast annexation

appears itself to have been overturned -- making it likely that the

swanky unincorporated community will officially become part of Newport

Beach.

The 1,072 signatures filed to stop annexation of the roughly

2,600-home community on Friday appeared to be enough to put the matter to

a vote among Newport Coast residents. But an unofficial tally by the

county registrar on Wednesday showed that only 658 of those signatures

were valid -- meaning they were from registered voters and not duplicate

entries of people who had protested individually.

“This is a great day for Newport Beach and a great day for Newport

Coast,” City Councilman Dennis O’Neil said.

Petitioners who fought to stop annexation, however, disagreed.

“I find it hard to believe that such a large percentage of the

signatures could be thrown out,” said Steve Melmet, a Newport Coast

resident who helped gather signatures to stop the annexation.

The annexation had appeared inevitable after a county commission

approved the annexation.

Like many who fought annexation, Melmet said he was most concerned

with the process.

“From talking to as many people as we spoke to in getting the

signatures, the consensus was that the community wanted the opportunity

to vote on the issue,” Melmet said.

Dating back decades, state law dictates that the city eventually annex

the coast. The Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission, the body

that oversees annexations, approved the city’s request Sept. 12. The

process was almost complete, pending what appeared to some a mere

formality: a 30-day “protest period” in which residents could say no.

The rules of annexation say that if more than 25% of the registered

Coast voters protested, the matter would be put to a vote among them. At

a hearing last week, residents Phil and Arlene Greer delivered petitions

with more than enough signatures to bring the issue to the ballot box.

But on Wednesday, the commission learned from the county registrar

that not enough of the signatures were valid protests. A commission

hearing on Wednesday is expected to be the last formality in annexing the

community.

“We’re really excited,” Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff said. “I

think there are some neat benefits for the Newport Coast in this, and I’m

glad that a lot of the folks in the Newport Coast will get to see that.”

Kiff said Jan. 1 is the date when the city will take over fire, police

and other services for the coast. The deal with the city also includes

$18 million in tax benefits for residents and an option for a community

center. The city will create an advisory committee to decide matters such

as a dog park and other community-specific issues.

-- June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .