Newport council makes decisions on group homes

The Newport Beach City Council voted 6-0 Wednesday to continue a moratorium on new group homes but let the moratorium on new short-term rental permits expire. Councilman Keith Curry was absent.

At a special meeting, the council considered rules requiring group homes such as drug and alcohol recovery facilities to apply for city permits to open. The rules also would close a loophole so group homes for six or fewer people would still have to apply for permits if they operate in connection with other facilities.

Residents have complained that drug and alcohol homes increase noise, litter and crime.

Council members voted to continue the moratorium on group homes for five months to give them time to vet the new regulations. Short-term rentals were included in the city’s initial study because officials wanted to consider all such transient uses in residential areas.

— Alicia Robinson