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Council approves Kimley‑Horn contract and $102K amendment to start Airport Area Specific Plan
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Summary
Council approved a professional‑services agreement with Kimley‑Horn to prepare an Airport Area Specific Plan, including public outreach and up to seven drafts; a ~$102,000 budget amendment was approved to cover the $612,000 contract cost.
The Newport Beach City Council on Tuesday approved a contract with Kimley‑Horn Associates to prepare an Airport Area Specific Plan and authorized a budget amendment to cover the contract gap.
Liz Westmoreland, principal planner, said the specific plan will implement general‑plan goals for the area near the airport and provide development standards, a public‑realm framework and outreach to property and business owners. She said the contract includes up to seven drafts, study sessions and hearings and estimated the work will take about two years.
Westmoreland told the council the contract cost is about $612,000 while approximately $510,000 is currently available in the fund, and staff requested a budget amendment for the roughly $102,000 shortfall. The airport area has been identified in prior planning documents for significant residential capacity; Westmoreland noted the housing element allocated roughly 2,500 dwelling units to the area and that a specific plan will help refine where and how such development could occur.
Public commenters urged robust outreach to both residents and parcel owners. Jim Mosier and others urged careful engagement with businesses and property owners who said they were blindsided by a prior 2006 plan. One commenter noted a recent California Court of Appeals published decision that could affect how the city must zone or implement RHNA allocations; that judicial matter was raised as background but not resolved in the meeting.
Council members said the plan is a needed first step to create a cohesive identity for the area and to ensure future housing and services are planned alongside parks and amenities. One council member noted outreach will be challenging because many residents do not regularly visit the area and asked staff to be proactive in using varied outreach methods.
The motion to approve the professional‑services agreement and the associated budget amendment passed with five yes votes and two abstentions as recorded by the clerk.
What’s next: Consultant kickoff, a public‑outreach program targeted to property owners and nearby residents, and periodic study sessions with council and planning commission over the plan’s two‑year schedule.
