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Planning commission forwards "Newport Beach 2050" general plan update to city council
Summary
The commission recommended the Newport Beach 2050 general plan update to city council after a staff presentation on the draft's phases, CEQA addendum, SB 18 tribal consultation, and online plan features; a commissioner raised concerns about circulation inclusion and population/housing projections.
The Newport Beach Planning Commission voted unanimously April 23 to forward the draft Newport Beach 2050 general plan update (PA 2022-080) to city council for review and final action.
Acting Deputy Community Development Director Ben Zibad presented a condensed overview of the comprehensive update, describing a multi-year, phased effort that began in 2019. Zibad said staff prepared an addendum to the housing-implementation program EIR and found no new substantial environmental impacts. He said the draft does not change development limits or land-use patterns and that the city plans an online, searchable version of the plan. The city has begun Senate Bill 18 tribal consultation and expects consultation to conclude before council action.
"We took a phased approach with reviewing the elements including background analysis, envisioning, policy development, general plan amendment, CEQA environmental analysis," Zibad said, adding that the intent is a streamlined online plan that is searchable and printer-friendly.
During public comment, Commissioner (Mr.) Mojar raised procedural concerns: he said roughly 567 policies appear in the draft and questioned whether the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) had reviewed all of them in detail. He asked whether the circulation element would be included in the online plan and challenged a projection that the city expects only 3,750 more people over 20 years while the plan anticipates more than 8,000 new housing units.
Zibad replied that the circulation element will be included in the online plan and that the housing element is complex and may be delivered as a stand-alone PDF because it is updated on a different cycle. He also identified consultants Elizabeth Dickson (Dudek) and Taylor Funderburk (Kimley-Horn) as present for detailed technical questions.
Secretary Langford recommended clarifying language to state that, where conflicts exist, the certified housing element should prevail to maintain state compliance.
Commissioners thanked staff and moved to recommend the draft general plan to council. The commission will return the draft with its recommendation; staff said next steps include a council study session and hearings with possible final council adoption in late June.
