Ranch conservancy to discuss development

The Banning Ranch Conservancy is sponsoring a workshop to teach residents about the process through which the owners of the 400-acre coastal property will have to go in order to develop the land.

Newport Banning Ranch LLC submitted plans to the city of Newport Beach earlier this year proposing to build 1,375 homes, a hotel and retail on the land. The conservancy wants to see it maintained as open space.

Former Huntington Beach Planning Commissioner Steve Ray will lead the workshop, focusing on the different roles of government agencies in the process of approving or denying the proposed development and how citizens can get involved in the decision.

The leaders of the effort to make Banning Ranch a nature preserve have said they are hoping the Coastal Commission and other agencies can help the cause.

The two-hour workshop will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Mesa Verde United Methodist Church, 1701 Baker St., Costa Mesa.

— Alan Blank