HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-18_Approved Minutesy$WPO
Mike Henn, Chairman
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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Jennifer Gonzalez
MINUTES 2-18-09
Minutes of the Economic Development Committee held at the City Council Chambers, City of
Newport Beach, on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
Members Present:
X
Mike Henn, Chairman
X
Sheri Drewry
X
Keith Curry, Council Member
X
Jennifer Gonzalez
X
Steve Rosansk , Council Member
X
John Hyatt
X
Robert Hawkins, Planning Commissioner
X
Lloyd Ikerd
X
Mike McNamara, Vice Chairman
X
Brion Jeannette
A
Fred Ameri
X
Debra Legan
X
Craig Batley
E
Richard Luehrs
E
Seymour Beek
E
Scott Palmer
X
Jeffrey Cole
X
John Robinson
X
Steven Coyne
E
GreggSchwenk
E
Gary DiSano
X
Gary Sherwin
A
Jim Donnell
E
Gay Wassail -Kell
X
Kenneth Drellishak
Staff Rearesentatives:
x
Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager
Philip Bettencourt, Planning Consultant
Rewdy Holstein, Brooks Street
x
Leigh De Santis, Economic Development
Chris A. Clark Sr.
Chris Bunyan, Costa Mesa SRR
Administrator
x
Katie Bowden, Economic Development
Coordinator
Guests Present:
Roy Freeman, Resident
Jessica Quadra, Newport Beach Chamber of
Commerce
Philip Bettencourt, Planning Consultant
Rewdy Holstein, Brooks Street
Mike Mohler, Newport Banning Ranch
Marice White, SFPA
Chris A. Clark Sr.
Chris Bunyan, Costa Mesa SRR
Roll Call and Introductions:
Chairman Henn called the meeting to order at 8:02 am and began self introductions of the
assembled members, staff and guests.
EDC Minutes 2-18-09.doc
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
■ Mr. Lloyd Ikerd announced that the restoration of the 1951 Ford as a Newport Beach
Police car would be completed this week. The vehicle will be presented to the Police
Department on March 19 at the Chamber sponsored Police Appreciation Breakfast.
The cost of the restoration is $10,550 and donations are still being accepted.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Minutes of January 21, 2009.
Motion: John Hyatt
Second: Mike McNamara
Vote: Unanimous
2. Presentation on Banning Ranch
Chris Bunyan in Support of Banning Ranch as Open Space
Mr. Bunyan spoke representing the Banning Ranch Conservancy. He showed slides
of the upland and lowland areas of Banning Ranch. The Conservancy aspires to
purchase Banning Ranch, maintain it as open space and eventually turn it over to the
State Parks system as a regional park. They are fund raising and looking for donors to
make the acquisition possible. The Conservancy is willing to pay fair market value for
the property, but believe the appraisal done at the behest of the City is too high. In
addition, the environmental cleanup threshold is lower for park and recreational use
than for residential use. See www.savebanningranch.org for more details.
Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager explained the City's Policy
The adopted General Plan has two options. The preferred option is all open space. If
the land cannot be acquired in a reasonable amount of time — which is undefined -- the
alternative option is development of a limited number of homes, and commercial space
while maintaining a majority of the area as open space/park. Development would be
limited to a maximum of 1375 homes, 75,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 75 hotel rooms.
Oil rights are owned by a third party, and oil operations would remain no matter how
the land is used. Any development would need Coastal Commission approval and
they could impose additional limits.
Mike Mohler in Support of Development on part of Banning Ranch
Mr. Mohler spoke representing the owner/developers - a partnership of AERA Energy,
Cherokee Investment Partners, and Brooks Street. They believe their proposed
development is in keeping with the City's alternative policy. The housing units will
cluster away from sensitive environments and back up to the industrial area in abutting
Costa Mesa. In addition to property tax revenues, their proposed small hotel would
generate TOT revenues. From the revenues of development, they are offering to
clean up and consolidate the remaining oil operations, improve the areas to be
preserved, and create a link to the Santa Ana River Park. Their application/proposal
EDC Minutes 2-18-09.doc
for development can be viewed on the City web site. They too disagree with the
appraisal, but unlike the Conservancy they believe it is too low.
3. EQAC Representative's Report
The Marina Park draft EIR will be reviewed by EQAC this month. They are also
looking forward to a presentation by the Green Building Sub -committee.
ITEMS FOR A FUTURE AGENDA
• Presentation by Gary Sherwin, CVB on a proposal to form a Tourism BID
• Discussion regarding the creation of a Newport Beach Special Event Advisory
Committee
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Henn called for the meeting to be adjourned at 8:50 am.
EDC Minutes 2-18-09.doc