Utility issue goes to vote

Balboa Island residents will vote Tuesday night on whether to create a $20-million assessment district and underground utilities there. The cost of doing away with utility poles on the island has divided island residents.

Many opposed to the issue are older residents who have lived in the community a long time, not wealthier newcomers to the island, said Balboa Island resident Carolyn Carr, who published the Island Breeze newsletter.

“Most of the people I know who would be affected by this in a negative way are long-time residents on a fixed income,” said Carr, who opposes the assessment district.

“Those are the people who made Balboa Island what it is today,” she said.

Newport Beach Mayor Ed Selich said he’s been flooded with phone calls from residents on both sides of the issue.

“I don’t get a sense that it’s created big inequity there, but it’s probably true that more of the people who are in favor of this are newer residents and more opposed are older,” Selich said.

Real estate broker Don Abrams, who claims he sells between 50% to 70% of all homes on Balboa Island, says he is in favor of removing utility poles because it will boost property values for island residents and make it easier for fire trucks to pass down alleyways.

“Wires everywhere are neither aesthetic, friendly or safe,” he said. “The buyers I am showing to have a strong preference for underground utilities.”

The multiyear construction project that would tear up streets and alleyways on Balboa Island could begin as early as July if island property owners vote for the project on Tuesday. The Balboa Island assessment district would be the largest of its kind in the city’s history and would affect about 1,200 property owners.

City officials estimate Balboa Island homeowners will pay anywhere from about $5,000 to $35,500 apiece for the project, depending on the size of their lot. Most homeowners would pay about $16,000.

Property owners can elect to pay the money over the course of 15 years with their annual property taxes. Residents also would have to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 apiece in hook-up fees for the undergrounding. About 60% of Balboa Island property owners petitioned the city to create the assessment district and underground utilities there in 2004.

Island residents can speak out on the issue and submit their ballots at the beginning of Newport Beach City Council meeting Tuesday. The assessment district hearing is slated to begin at 7:01 p.m., Selich said.

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].