By Grace Leung, Newport Beach City Manager
Thank you to residents and stakeholders who wrote to us and voiced your opinions during the March 14 City Council meeting on the topic of fractional homeownership. After months of effort by the City’s Planning Commission and extensive public input, Council members voted unanimously to uphold a “preferred” recommendation from the Planning Commission that will effectively prohibit fractional ownership in residential zoning districts.
The Council’s decision will broaden the definition of timeshare to include fractional homeownership. Since timeshare properties are not permitted in residential zones, the Council decision will make them illegal in residential neighborhoods.
Fractional ownership is where multiple property buyers, generally organized under an umbrella corporation, purchase percentages of homes for the right to use the home part-time. Many residents have expressed concerns about noise, parking, high turnover, and other neighborhood impacts that may arise with short-term stays.
Following a September 2022 study session, the City’s Planning Commission examined the issue through an ad hoc committee, which met with residents and stakeholders and issued a set of recommendations for Council consideration. The Council declined to explore the commission’s alternative recommendation to create a regulatory framework that would have allowed fractional homeownership under a set of restrictive conditions.
The issue will return next month to the Planning Commission, which will conduct a public hearing on a draft ordinance to amend the City’s Municipal Code. In May, the ordinance will be presented to the City Council for approval and submitted to the California Coastal Commission for the amendments in our Local Coastal Program (Title 21).
Online Plan Check, Permitting Now Available for Residential Solar Projects
Residents can now submit home solar power projects electronically for plan review and permit issuance, eliminating the need to visit the City Hall Permit Center. The service is available through the CiViC (Newport Beach City Virtual Connect) online portal.
In June the City plans to launch an additional option, to submit residential plans entirely online for new construction, additions, and remodels. Commercial projects will follow, by the end of this year. These improvements are part of an ongoing effort to expand online services for our residents and developer community.
The CiViC site can be accessed at https://www.newportbeachca.gov/civic.
Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center Temporarily Closed for Repairs
The Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center at Corona Del Mar High School has been temporarily closed for pool maintenance and is expected to re-open before the end of the month.
Lap Swim has been canceled through the duration of the pool closure. Participants with active memberships will be notified via email once the pool is scheduled to reopen.
Residents can visit www.newportbeachca.gov/aquatics or email aquatics@newportbeachca.gov for more information.
Civic Green Turf Replacement Completed
After rain delays, the City has completed a project to replace turf at the Civic Center Green. The new turf is “Westcoaster” tall fescue hybrid, which requires less water than other varieties and is much more durable, making it suitable for active recreational use.
Additionally, the City’s automated mowers have resumed daily operations. The Bumble Bee, Lady Bug and Turtle themed mowers take one week to mow the Civic Green and help keep up with maintenance needs. The City is ready to host many fun-filled community events coming up this spring and summer at the Civic Green.
January Treasury Report Now Available
The January 2023 Treasury Report is available on the City’s website at: www.newportbeachca.gov/treasury.
As of January, the City’s investment portfolio totaled $382.9 million when measured at amortized cost. The current market value of the City’s portfolio of $372.5 million incorporates price fluctuations due to the changing interest rate environment that are typically irrelevant, since the City typically holds its securities to maturity and receives the full principal value at that time.
The City’s Liquidity Portfolio is sized to meet the City’s cash flow needs over the next 12 months. Approximately $68.6 million or 18 percent of the portfolio was invested in liquid investments available for day-to-day operating expenses and the costs associated with ongoing construction projects. An additional $42.7 million or 11 percent of the overall portfolio was invested in a portfolio of securities with targeted short-term maturities, which earns a higher yield than the City’s more liquid investments.
Improve Brain Health March 22 at OASIS
On Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m., the OASIS Senior Center will host “How to Improve and Maintain Brain Health,” presented by UCI Health.
Participants will learn both the importance of maintaining memory and the skills to improve recall, and updates on the newest medications to treat Alzheimer’s Disease.
To RSVP: Call (949) 644-3244 or email OASIScenter@newportbeachca.gov.
Free Document Shredding, E-Waste Disposal and Compost Distribution April 22
Join us on April 22 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Newport Beach Corporation Yard, 592 Superior Ave., for an Earth Day event brought to you by the City of Newport Beach and CR&R.
The event will feature free document shredding, e-waste disposal, and a compost giveaway. Residents can bring up to 10 standard file boxes of documents for shredding and can receive up to five, 30-lb. bags of compost while supplies last. Please note that residency will be verified, so don’t forget to bring identification.
Our shredder can accommodate most materials including bank and financial statements, credit card statements or pre-approved credit card offers, old IRS tax forms, checks or bills, old credit cards and plastic/paper membership cards, junk mail, and documents bound with staples or paper clips. Please note that x-rays or larger plastic items such as binders cannot be accepted.
Acceptable items for e-waste disposal include computers, computer monitors, keyboards, televisions, flat panels, other monitors, printers, DVD players, cell phones, and other small electronic devices. Medical waste, batteries and other household hazardous waste will not be accepted.
For more information, please contact our Public Works Department at (949) 718-3055.
Be Well Mobile Crisis Response Update
The Be Well mobile crisis response team operates in Newport Beach 12 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to mental and behavioral health crises. The mobile unit is staffed with mental health specialists and works closely with the City’s police and fire departments.
This week, the Be Well team:
- Transported a client to the Orange Police Department to remove a hold on his photo ID application.
- Completed a paperwork packet with a client to secure an Emergency Housing Voucher.
- Met with a client to deliver a new phone and review his housing plan.
- Met with a client to start postal service at Share Our Selves.
- Met with two older adults to review housing and assisted living options.
Homelessness Update
This week, the City’s homeless outreach and response teams:
- Transported a client to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter for an intake appointment.
- Transported a client to the police department for a background check to obtain a new photo ID.
- Enrolled two new clients into services and met with several clients to conduct housing assessments.
- Continued to shelter people. Nineteen people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
- Visited a newly housed client to provide ongoing support and resources.
Click here to view the latest homeless dashboard, which includes key monthly and yearly data on the City’s homeless response: https://www.newportbeachca.gov/trending/community-issues/homelessness/monthly-homeless-count.
