Cities need to negotiate more

Those following Costa Mesa know that our City Council members often disagree. On annexations, we all agree the solution requires an equitable approach benefiting both cities. We hope this unity results in responsible dialogue with Newport Beach, the county of Orange and the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Newport Beach’s request to annex West Santa Ana Heights without resolving other annexation issues outright rejects our efforts to compromise.

We’ve presented reasonable alternatives for the equitable processing of annexations. We stressed that all remaining unincorporated areas be processed together ? not the same piecemeal approach that created the existing mess. Look at Costa Mesa’s western boundary that is surrounded by a small strip of land annexed to Newport . The effect: a Newport neighborhood at the end of 19th Street that is accessible only through Costa Mesa. This practice must end.

Newport Beach wants Costa Mesa to change its sphere of influence by carving out property on the Costa Mesa side of Irvine Avenue. Although commission staff and state law support annexation to Costa Mesa, Newport’s position is logical as it relates to unifying the county’s redevelopment area that straddles Irvine Avenue.

Costa Mesa wants Newport Beach to change its sphere of influence on our Westside, specifically to a portion of Banning Ranch. Our position is logical. Banning Ranch borders Costa Mesa’s Westside and is accessible by 17th Street and 19th Street.

Eliminating county-owned islands requires negotiation and problem solving ? not picking what you want and leaving the effects to others.

Newport Beach’s refusal to negotiate is shortsighted and selfish. It is reasonable for Costa Mesa to expect continuity of neighborhoods and services, control of local streets, and boundaries that make planning sense and that comply with law. We invite Newport Beach back to the table. For this to be equitable, comprehensive and responsible, we must work together. The board of supervisors and the board of the commission should expect the same.

That’s something we can all agree on.