Council to consider extending moratorium

Newport Beach’s moratorium on new group homes is set to expire Oct. 30, but city officials haven’t finished drafting new rules, so the City Council will meet Wednesday to consider extending the moratorium for another year. The city has been working on tighter rules for group homes for months, and in September the council hired Richards, Watson & Gershon to provide more legal advice on the issue.

Also Wednesday, the council will hold a closed-door discussion of possible litigation by Concerned Citizens of Newport Beach, a residents’ group that recently demanded the city put new group home rules in place within 45 days. The closed session also will cover negotiations with the Irvine Co. for a piece of property in the 500 block of Newport Center Drive and the performance evaluation of City Manager Homer Bludau.

The study session begins at 4:30 p.m. in the council conference room at 3300 Newport Blvd., and the meeting is at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. For information or to view the agenda, visit www.city.newport-beach.ca.us or call (949) 644-3005.

— Alicia Robinson