Greenlight analysis called into question

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The City Council is considering hiring an analyst to

study the so-called Greenlight initiative. But, proponents say they may

oppose it.

“I think it should be done in-house,” said Greenlight spokesman Phil

Arst. “With all the concerns the city has raised about its budget, I

don’t see why they need to go outside to get a planner to look at the

initiative.”

However, given the dramatic effects the proposed measure could have on

the city and local government, officials don’t think $11,500 is too much

to spend on an outside analyst. So far, neither city officials nor the

measure’s proponents have been able to effectively outline the potential

ramifications of the measure, which has been labeled as “slow-growth” by

opponents.

“We periodically hire outside help,” said Mayor John Noyes. “Either we

don’t have expertise, or like now, we’re very busy.”

The Protection from Traffic and Density initiative, which will appear on

the November ballot, would allow residents to vote on proposed

developments that require a “major” general plan amendment. Major is

defined as creating more than 100 peak-hour car trips, more than 100

homes or more than 40,000 square feet of floor area over what the city’s

general plan allows.

However, these thresholds do not apply to the city as a whole, but to

each of the 49 distinct neighborhoods, which all have a different history

of general plan amendments.

In addition, the measure is cumulative. It requires that 80% of the

changes to the general plan during the last decade be added to the

numbers of a proposed project to determine whether a vote is required.

But because each specific area is so different, the end result is that a

developer could build 40,000 square feet of office space in one area

without a public vote, but a project consisting of 200 square feet in

another area would be subject to a citywide vote.

Once any of the thresholds are maxed out in any of the 49 specific areas,

virtually any development would require a vote.

Allan Beek, a Greenlight proponent, said seven areas already exceed one

or more of the measure’s thresholds. These are Old Newport Boulevard,

Santa Ana Heights, Newport Center, North Ford Road, the airport area,

Corona del Mar Hills and Bonita Canyon.

The analyst, former city employee John Douglas, will head the study and

also look at how the measure will affect the 49 areas.

In a letter to city staff members, Douglas wrote it is “absolutely

essential” that both the initiative proponents and opponents agree that

the methods used are objective and the people conducting the analysis are

unbiased.

Results of the proposed study would be presented to the council in two

months. The City Council will make its decision regarding the hiring an

analyst Tuesday.

FYI

WHAT: City Council meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: City Council Chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd.

GREENLIGHT ANALYSIS?

Should the city hire an independent analyst to study the so-called

Greenlight initiative? Call our Readers Hotline at (949) 642-6086 or

e-mail your comments to o7 [email protected] . Please tell us

your name and hometown, and include a phone number (for verification

purposes only).