The Newport Beach Planning Commission held a study session on Nov. 20, 2025 to review draft updates to the city’s general plan land‑use and safety elements (PA2022‑080). Planning Manager Ben Zadiba summarized the multi‑phase update schedule, noted the draft was developed with a 24‑member General Plan Advisory Committee, and sought commissioner feedback before the item returns for further review.

Study‑session framing and timeline: Zadiba said the comprehensive update began in 2019 and pivoted to focus on the state‑required housing element before resuming a broader update in 2023; the draft land‑use and safety elements are now in phase 2 with staff pursuing environmental analysis and targeting adoption hearings by June 2026 after advisory‑committee and stakeholder review.

Key topics highlighted by staff: The presentation called out targeted attention to Balboa Island and coastal resilience measures for the Balboa Peninsula (evacuation and non‑automobile options), new policy language in the safety element, and a proposed 'live' anomaly table meant to track development potential and exhausted capacity in real time, backed by references to prior general plan amendments or transfers of development rights.

Commissioner and public concerns: Commissioner Rosine asked staff to provide larger, more legible comparison tables and flagged several policy cross‑references that appeared to show older numbering in the packet. During public comment, Jim Mosier (a member of the General Plan Advisory Committee speaking as an individual) urged staff to clean up the anomaly table before granting staff administrative authority to update it; Mosier also warned that a recent California Court of Appeals opinion concerning Redondo Beach had held overlays were not an adequate path to meet RHNA, and said that outcome could require cities to rezone properties rather than rely on overlays.

Staff response and next steps: Staff apologized for illegible attachments, committed to providing larger, clearer comparison materials, and said the live anomaly table would be created with meticulous record links to each amendment or transfer of development rights so the ledger could be audited. Staff confirmed the inclusion of Santa Ana Country Club on a sphere‑of‑influence list was intentional and explained the Old Newport Boulevard language allowing replacement of nonconforming floor area was intended to encourage reinvestment in that corridor. The item was a study session; no action was taken. Staff said the draft will return after additional committee and stakeholder review (potentially March) and will be routed through multiple boards and commissions before seeking a council recommendation leading toward adoption hearings by June 2026.

Who spoke: Ben Zadiba (Planning Manager) presented; public comment included Jim Mosier (general plan advisory committee member, speaking as an individual). Multiple commissioners asked for clarifications and more readable materials. Staff committed to follow up on the anomaly table, Old Newport Boulevard language, and the sphere‑of‑influence references.