Newport Beach, show me the light

Up until now, I saw green lights only as simple technological

indications to step on the gas. Turns out, the term holds some

significant political influence in Newport Beach.

After covering Costa Mesa City Hall for so long (was that only 18

months? It seemed longer) and learning every twist and turn of that

city’s political machine, I had not taken the time to educate myself

on the infamous Greenlight issue.

I heard the term being thrown around the newsroom here and there,

but merely assumed my colleagues were reverting to their usual

childish antics by playing a favorite game from adolescence.

“Green light,” someone would say.

And I would envision reporters scurrying toward a finish line.

“Red light,” the emcee would yell, and everyone would freeze.

How great to work in such a amusing environment, I would muse.

OK. Seriously, I am not trying to make light (no pun intended) of

the movement or the group. And I am trying to learn more about the

goings-on in Newport Beach. Just bear with me. I have been in the

depths of Costa Mesa City Hall for so long, it’s going to take my

eyes a little time to adjust to the ... OK. I won’t go there.

So, I decided to research the issue in the Daily Pilot archives. A

quick term search resulted in 732 matches. Seems I’d been missing out

on some news.

I read pages and pages about the Greenlight Initiative and the

Greenlight Steering Committee and even found a Greenlight

Implementation Committee. (I’m surprised I didn’t run across mention

of a green light district.)

Seems that, on one hand, you have those who say they oppose

massive development at the expense of quality of life. Some people

refer to this as “responsible” growth. Others call it slow.

On the other hand, there are those who believe in “positive”

development for the city, designed to bring high-paying jobs, revenue

and young, successful professionals to the area. The future of

Newport Beach, some might argue.

The ever-popular Greenlight Initiative, which passed with 63.1% on

Nov. 7, 2000, requires certain projects to face a public vote. Which

reminds me of another favorite pastime from my younger years --

Mother May I.

I asked Allan Beek, the author of the Greenlight initiative, to

describe the difference between the two camps.

“That’s easy,” he said. “It’s residents versus developers.”

Beek said he is on the side of the residents.

Which is funny because those in favor of the now-defunct Koll

development adopted the popular shade of kelly for their own

“resident-minded” campaign -- The Greenlight Implementation

Committee.

My overactive imagination again wanders to a fictional scene.

“Attention, Newport Beach residents, we are now having a green

light special on a 250,000-square-foot, 10-story office tower,” a

nasal voice booms over a crackling loudspeaker.

Contrary to my imaginary scenario, voters did not stampede through

the aisles for that Koll product.

The lime-colored impostor was exposed by the true grass-rooters,

and the development was killed by 59.5% of voters in a special

election. (Mind you, only 22% of registered voters bothered to cast a

ballot.)

But the more progressive members of the growth debate say they are

not jaded.

Greenlight Steering Committee members managed to place only one of

their four candidates on the dais in the last election.

Clearly, life in Newport Beach is not black and white, just

various shades of green.

For now, my color is yellow, as I plan to approach this political

debate with caution.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

and covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275

or by e-mail at [email protected].