ON THE AGENDA Here are some of...

ON THE

AGENDA

Here are some of the items the council will consider tonight.

CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW

The council will consider whether to outsource some or all of the

work of the city attorney’s office after they hear the results of a

cost-benefit analysis of the department. The council hired Management

Partners Inc. last year to analyze the department to determine

whether the current setup is the most effective and efficient way to

provide legal services for the city.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A lot of questions. Though Management Partners will bring to the

table a number of options for the city, Administrative Services staff

members so far have been vague in reporting the problems in the

department and the options for improving them. Tonight’s council

action will be only to receive and file the report and to appoint two

council members to work with staff to decide how to proceed.

BRISTOL STREET ZONING

The council will consider a plan that could transform a corridor

of Bristol Street into an area zoned for mixed uses of commercial,

office and residential development. The idea is being promoted by

volunteers of the Bristol Street Committee, who see the mixed-use

plan as a way to increase the city’s housing supply, reduce commute

times and diversify land uses.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The question before the council will be whether to approve the

final concept plan that would create a mixed-use overlay zone. The

zone, in turn, would lay the groundwork for developing the area. The

zone would apply to the section of the Bristol Street corridor that

is east of Bristol Street between Baker Street and the Corona del Mar

Freeway.

Staff members in the Development Services Department have

recommended that the council approve the action.

1901 PLAZA RESIDENCES

A 145-unit condominium project could clear its final hurdle. The

council on Jan. 20 approved a modification of the original proposal

for the 1901 Newport Blvd. project, which includes 415 residential

parking spaces and 448 commercial parking spaces.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tonight’s second reading could seal the deal.

-- compiled by June Casagrande