Planners to review three major projects

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Planning Commission tonight will review three of the

most controversial developments that are at the top of Greenlight’s hit

list: the Newport Dunes hotel, Conexant expansion and a mixed-use project

at Banning Ranch.

Greenlight, a group of community activists and environmentalists

spearheading the measure, hope to pass it in time for the public to vote

on these projects.

At the 5 p.m. study session, the commission will discuss the Conexant

expansion and will continue to review the project’s environmental report.

Conexant, a semiconductor business in the area near John Wayne Airport,

wants to add 566,000 square feet of industrial and office space to its

25-acre property on the northwest side of Jamboree Road.

The commission is trying to address several environmental effects the

expansion is expected to cause, including a decline in air quality and

increased traffic at the intersections of MacArthur Boulevard and

Jamboree Road, and Irvine Avenue and Mesa Drive.

Commissioners will also discuss the proposed Newport Banning Ranch

development at the study session. Taylor Woodrow Homes has proposed a

75-room bed-and-breakfast inn, 1,750 residential units, a retail shopping

village and more than 200 acres of open space on the site. The 400-acre

property is mostly in the county and is bordered by West Coast Highway,

Superior Avenue and the Santa Ana River channel. It is one of the last

plots of undeveloped land in the Newport Beach area.

The environmental report has not been released, but commissioners will

get an update on the proposed project.

At the regular 7 p.m. meeting, commissioners will continue to review the

environmental report for the $100-million Dunes resort project. The

proposal is for a 400-room hotel and 100-unit time-share resort with

55,000 square feet of conference space. Proponents estimate the project

would bring $1.3 million a year in new tax revenue to the city.

FYI

WHAT: Newport Beach Planning Commission

WHEN: Study session at 5 p.m. and meeting at 7 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

INFORMATION: (949) 644-3200