Food For Thought
Some significant changes are coming to Newport Beach. If you’re interested in shaping those changes but don’t have time to go to many meetings, you can still participate by submitting comments (read on).
Currently, the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), comprising thirty residents, is developing a vision for the city's future. The General Plan is divided into ten elements that are independent but, taken as a whole, will determine what our city looks like a decade from now. Below is a high-level overview of the various elements in the pipeline.
Interested in art? Among the ideas floated for the ARTS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ELEMENT: a new art center, expansion of the Newport Theatre Arts Center on Cliff Drive, and the marketing of the city as a cultural hub to promote art tourism. If history is more your thing, the HISTORICAL RESOURCES ELEMENT contains a proposal to recognize longstanding businesses in the community as an essential part of the city’s historical fabric.
As for the HARBOR AND BAY ELEMENT, there is a strong voice for renaming it the Harbor, Bay, and Beaches Element, the feeling being that our beaches are critical to our wellbeing in any number of ways, but don’t get the same attention as the harbor. Many are strongly advocating for a sea level rise plan that addresses future risks from extreme weather events, one that protects the beaches while preserving property rights. To that end, in addition to sand replenishment, the city is encouraged to employ more sand retention features, including dunes.
NOISE ELEMENT: GPAC is notably suggesting that the City closely monitor the development of vertical take-off aircraft, particularly air taxis, if they are allowed to land in the city.
RECREATION ELEMENT: There is concern about geographic balance. The State recommendation is three park acres per 1,000 residents. Newport Beach has 5/1000. However, GPAC has pointed out that it doesn’t tell the whole story. Beaches are included, and by that standard, the Peninsula and West Newport have a comfortable amount of park acreage, but do they? Of West Newport’s 70.83 acres, 58.9 acres are beach, and there is one community park of 1.08 acres. Of the Peninsula’s 182.81 park acres, 168.26 is beach. There is one community park, Marina Park, which is 8.94 acres. Compare this to the Harbor View area, which has no beach but eleven community parks, all of which are at least four acres in size, with four exceeding ten acres.
Speaking of recreation, the Council is exploring the development of a municipal aquatic complex. The original proposal would have put the complex at Lower Castaways Park and included a 50-meter lap pool, a therapy pool for senior workouts and toddler lessons, as well as a two-story building and other amenities. However, Lower Castaways presented too many hurdles, so now there is talk of situating the complex at Mariners Park in Dover.
HOUSING ELEMENT: This is the Element that usually gets the most attention since it involves planning for new residential units to accommodate Newport Beach’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) numbers (the minimum number of new housing units the State requires cities to plan for). The Council has adopted a plan that will allow for the construction of over 8,000 units and has designated four primary areas of growth: the airport area, Newport Center, West Newport Mesa, and Coyote Canyon (the former landfill site near the 73 toll road in Newport Coast).
The GPAC committee and many residents in general have raised significant concerns about the airport area, where a substantial number of residential units could be built without the essential infrastructure needed to support a vibrant, self-sustaining community. They worry that without amenities such as grocery stores, retail options, and recreational facilities, the area would lack the cohesive "village" character necessary to serve new residents effectively. This would force airport area residents to drive to other regions of the city for everything, contributing to traffic issues. Fortunately, the Council has acknowledged that a specific plan for the airport area might be needed. GNN heartily endorses this idea and thinks such plans are a good idea for the other areas designated for significant growth as well.
Meanwhile, in Newport Center, The Irvine Company has requested a change in the height restrictions for Lot 1 (the area on the right of Newport Center Drive when entering from PCH) and San Joaquin Plaza (the large complex at the corner of Jamboree and San Joaquin Hills) to get the needed density to meet housing goals. Assurance has been given that the new height limits will still preserve the Newport View Corridor.
Now, here’s the easy part. If you want to know more about what’s being proposed, comment on those proposals or contribute your ideas, all you have to do is go to the City web site and type in Newport Together, and you will be taken to the General Plan section where you can review plans, submit comments and sign up for notifications. Civic participation couldn’t get any easier.
Newport Beach 2050: A Vision for the Future
As Newport Beach embarks on its 2050 General Plan update, here are six visionary scenarios imagined by Good Neighbor Newport (GNN) that could shape its future. These scenarios reflect diverse priorities, from environmental stewardship to technological innovation, each offering a unique path forward. Here is a look at what Newport Beach could become by mid-century. Most likely, our future will encompass each of these visions to varying degrees. Good Neighbor Newport's goal in presenting these visions merely stimulates comments and thoughtfulness. Please tell us what you think at GNN: https://www.goodneighbornewport.org.
1. Resilient Luxury Enclave
Imagine Newport Beach continues to be an exclusive haven for affluent residents and visitors. By 2050, the City could reinforce its identity as a luxury destination with zoning and housing policies designed to preserve its high-end real estate market. In response to rising sea levels and coastal erosion, the City would invest heavily in protective measures like seawalls, floating structures, and elevated buildings to safeguard its iconic waterfront. Exclusive marinas, high-end services, and private community amenities would define this future, creating a luxurious but less accessible enclave.
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2. Inclusive and Accessible Housing
In this scenario, Newport Beach creates a diverse range of housing to support residents at every stage of life, from starter homes for young adults to family homes, senior living facilities and everything in between. This “life-cycle housing” option allows residents to stay close to family, friends, and neighbors across generations. It also supports economic stability by providing housing options for a diverse workforce including essential workers such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses. City policies would promote mixed-use development, affordable housing initiatives and public-private partnerships to strengthen Newport Beach’s sense of community and foster a more equitable and accessible future.
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3. Eco-Friendly Coastal Paradise
In this scenario, Newport Beach takes a leading role in sustainability, becoming a model of eco-conscious urban living. The City would implement reasonable green infrastructure, including living shorelines, modest dune restoration, and floodable parks, to respond to rising sea levels. Appropriate renewable energy would power the City, with widespread use of solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient systems. Electric public transportation, pedestrian zones, bike lanes and complete streets would dominate the urban landscape, ensuring a harmonious balance between development and sustainable preservation. This vision keeps Newport Beach’s natural beauty intact while addressing sustainability challenges.
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3. Tech-Driven Smart City
By embracing innovative technology, Newport Beach could transform into a futuristic smart city. Advanced AI systems would optimize traffic, waste management, and energy use, while semi-autonomous vehicles would dominate transportation. Public safety would be enhanced through smart surveillance and predictive technologies. Ubiquitous high-speed internet would support telecommuting and digital services, attracting high-tech companies and boosting the local economy. This tech-forward approach would elevate Newport Beach’s status as a hub for innovation while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
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4. Cultural and Arts Hub
In this vision, Newport Beach becomes a beacon for arts and culture, drawing inspiration from its rich history and creative potential. The city could establish world-class museums, theaters, auditoriums, lecture halls, and cultural districts, attracting artists, musicians, and performers from around the globe. Historic preservation would blend seamlessly with modern design, creating a distinctive coastal aesthetic. Regular indoor and outdoor public art installations, music festivals, and outdoor performances would enrich the community and boost tourism, making Newport Beach a vibrant cultural destination.
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5. Sustainable Tourism and Blue Economy Leader
In this scenario, Newport Beach harnesses its maritime heritage to lead in sustainable bay/ocean-based industries. The City’s economy would revolve around eco-friendly tourism, including marine research expeditions, bay/ocean safaris, and conservation-focused travel. Businesses would thrive by supporting these initiatives, offering green-oriented accommodations, electric boat rentals, and sustainable seafood dining. Partnerships with universities and research institutions would position Newport Beach as a hub for marine innovation, ensuring economic growth aligns with sustainable preservation. This vision secures Newport Beach’s reputation as a forward-thinking coastal city.
Charting the Path Forward
These scenarios offer a glimpse into the possibilities for Newport Beach in 2050. Whether focusing on luxury, sustainability, technology, culture, or the blue economy, each vision reflects a commitment to preserving the City’s unique character while adapting to future challenges. As the General Plan update progresses, community input will play a crucial role in shaping the City’s priorities and ensuring a vibrant future for future generations.
Newport Beach is your home. What do you want it to look like in 2050?
Please share your ideas, shape the future, and ensure our City remains one of the most vibrant and beautiful places to live, work, and play at the City of Newport Beach Website Newport Together! https://newporttogether.mysocialpinpoint.com/we-want-hear-you.
About Good Neighbor Newport: Good Neighbor Newport is a volunteer group of residents who are passionate about and involved in the City of Newport Beach. Members include former mayors, former and current members of city boards, commissions, and committees, local environmental and other non-profit group leaders, and three citizens of the year. It is a diverse group in age, expertise, and politics. This diversity is fundamental to its mission: to preserve and protect the quality of life in Newport Beach. You can submit comments to GNN at https://www.goodneighbornewport.org.
GNN Code of Conduct
Preserving Integrity in Newport Beach Elections: Why a Code of Conduct Matters
The tone of recent Newport Beach election campaigns has raised concerns about the need for greater accountability and decorum. In response to these challenges, Good Neighbor Network (GNN) introduced a new Election Code of Conduct at the start of the latest election season. Designed to promote civility and transparency, the code received support from five of the six candidates, signaling a collective acknowledgment of the importance of ethical campaigning.
While some may question the effectiveness of this initiative, we believe it made a difference. Recalling the rhetoric of past elections, it’s evident that the latest cycle, though not without its flaws, marked a significant step in the right direction. There were certainly some unpleasant and misleading campaign materials, but notably, for the most part these did not come directly from the candidates themselves. This is an encouraging sign that ethical boundaries are beginning to take hold.
Another positive takeaway was the visible reduction in campaign clutter compared to neighboring cities. During the same period, Costa Mesa and Irvine saw their public rights-of-way overwhelmed with campaign signs. Newport Beach, by contrast, maintained a cleaner approach. The few signs that appeared were promptly removed after the election, reflecting an increased commitment to respecting community spaces.
Of course, there is still much room for improvement. Campaigns must continue to shift their focus toward substantive discussions of policies and plans, leaving misinformation and personal attacks behind. GNN, along with engaged citizens, will remain vigilant in advocating for campaigns that reflect the integrity and values of Newport Beach.
By continuing to refine and enforce the Election Code of Conduct, Newport Beach can set a standard for local elections that prioritize respect, accuracy of information, and the best interests of its residents.