Fate of Greenlight Initiative may be decided Tuesday

NEWPORT BEACH -- The fate of the so-called Greenlight Initiative,

which proposes to give residents the decision-making power over potential

development, may be decided by the City Council Tuesday.

City Atty. Bob Burnham recommended the council reject the petition that

brought forward the initiative, after being asked by city leaders to

review the petition. He argued the way signatures were gathered violated

the state’s election code.

The council could vote to either accept or reject Burnham’s suggestion or

authorize an election regardless of any problems with the petition,

according to a city memo dated Jan. 11.

The initiative would require a majority vote on developments that would

create more than 100 peak-hour car trips, more than 100 dwelling units or

more than 40,000 square feet of floor area above what the general plan

allows.

Other issues the council will tackle include whether to approve a

164-room, four-story hotel with 173 parking spaces at the corner of Birch

Street and Von Karman Avenue. To make way for the project, a food court

known as Plaza de Cafes will be demolished, according to a city memo.

In addition, the council will appoint volunteers to serve on the

Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee and the

Aviation Committee. Nominations will be confirmed for the appointment of

a planning commissioner. The resignation of Mark Hoglund, accepted on

Nov. 8, created the vacancy.

This will be the first Tuesday meeting for the council, which has

normally met on Mondays. The 7 p.m. meeting will be held in council

chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd.