Discussion of Greenlight study delayed again

NOAKI SCHWARTZ

NEWPORT BEACH -- A city-funded analysis of the controversial

Greenlight initiative -- an effort that has taken four months and cost

nearly $12,000 so far -- has been questioned by both supporters and

proponents of the traffic measure.

“No one seems to be able to unequivocally state what Greenlight will

do,” said former mayor Clarence Turner, an opponent of Greenlight.

Because of the continuing disagreement over some of the detailed

components of the analysis, the city has again delayed discussion on the

results of the study.

Greenlight’s initiative will appear on the November ballot as will a

countermeasure that was authored by Turner, among others. Greenlight

proposes to let voters have the final say on certain “major”

developments. The alternative measure would preserve the city’s existing

traffic ordinance and would nullify Greenlight, should voters approve

both measures.

John Douglas was hired to look at the more technical aspects of the

measure and determine which proposed developments in Newport Beach had

the potential to trigger citywide votes.

Despite what has been described as his painstaking work, the council

has twice postponed discussing the study because of complaints that there

are small errors in his analysis.

Last month, Douglas completed a breakdown of the measure. However,

just before it was to be released, Greenlight proponent Allan Beek

alerted the city’s planning department that he had discovered errors in

the study.

Douglas had calculated that there would be as many as 18 projects

requiring a citywide election should the measure be made law. Beek said

he counted only 15.

The council postponed discussion in order to address his concerns, but

Beek said he was baffled that his complaints were overlooked in the

revised study released this week.”I think the people really want to know

what would be the effect if Greenlight was adopted,” said Beek, who said

he presented his calculations to City Manager Homer Bludau.

Bludau said he has passed on Beek’s findings to the city attorney, who

will meet with both Greenlight and Traffic Phasing Ordinance

representatives and then prepare a report for the July 25 council

meeting.

“Before it sees the light of day, (the city will) have separate

meetings with both groups to see if we can’t get some understanding,”

Bludau said.