HomeMy WebLinkAboutIV(c)_Additional Materials Received_MosherSeptember 4, 2024, GPAC Agenda Item IV.c Comments
The following comments on items on the Newport Beach General Plan Advisory Committee agenda are
submitted by: Jim Mosher (jimmosher@yahoo.com ), 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach 92660
(949-548-6229)
Item IV.c. Phase Two Outreach Plan
My understanding of the enabling resolutions of the GPUSC and the GPAC, is that the GPAC
exists to ensure that there will be at least some citizens providing input to the General Update
proposals, while creating and overseeing the larger public outreach effort is one of the core
responsibilities of the GPUSC. Nonetheless, the GPUSC seems to have delegated oversight of
the public outreach process to the GPAC. So I have these comments reading the consultant’s
draft plan.
Page 3, Section 1.1: The Introduction to the draft plan makes a partially incorrect statement at
the end of the first paragraph when it says “Currently, the City is actively processing amendments
to the Land Use and Noise Elements to implement several housing policy actions identified in the
certified Housing Element.”
My understanding is City staff’s proposed changes to the Land Use Element are being “actively
processed” and are expected to be adopted by the City Council on September 24, concurrent
with its adoption of last-minute staff-recommended amendments to the Housing Element deleting
references to the need for a Charter Section 423 (Greenlight) vote.
However, the changes to the Noise Element related to Housing Element policy actions are not still
being “pursued.” That process was completed nearly a year ago, on November 14, 2023, when,
without any input from or review by the GPAC, the Council adopted the staff-recommended
revisions to the Noise Element (and related changes to the Land Use Element) with Resolution
No. 2023-72. Similarly, the statement on page 13, at the end of the first paragraph of Section 3
(Community Engagement Timeline) that “The Noise Element is currently in the amendment
process” is incorrect if that is referring to amendments implementing the Housing Element. That
process was completed by adoption of Resolution No. 2023-72.
Page 6: Of the four bullet points describing tasks related to the “unique role” of the GPAC
Outreach Subcommittee, the only one that comports with its creation as an ad hoc subcommittee
that can meet without formal public notice and agendas, is the second: “Recommending the
Community Engagement and Outreach Plan for consideration and acceptance by the full GPAC.”
I believe that if it is being used to “adjust outreach and engagement strategies as needed,” the
intent to make those adjustments needs to be publicly noticed and executed.
Page 7: In Figure 3, what is the meaning of the airplane inside the “No” symbol? Does this mean
the consultant regards aircraft-related issues as being an example of a topic for which outreach
would be a waste of resources because it affects few people and the result would have little
impact?
Page 7: In the opening paragraph of Section 1.5 (Demographic Snapshot), it is unclear how the
consultant arrived at the figure of “86,694” for the population of Newport Beach at the time of the
2020 Census. The number does not appear on the Census Bureau “Quick Facts” page cited,
which says: “Population, Census, April 1, 2020 … 85,239” (which is only 53 persons more than
General Plan Advisory Committee - September 4, 2024 IV.c - Additional Materials Received
September 4, 2024, GPAC agenda Item IV.c comments - Jim Mosher Page 2 of 2
the April 1, 2010, Census number of 85,186).1 The “Quick Facts” page also gives the population
estimate for July 1, 2023, as 82,637, a 3% decline from the 2020 Census result.
The other demographic information given is similarly difficult to correlate with the sources cited.
One statistic I previously asked about, but which seems to remain unanswered, is the
characteristics of tenancy within the city: how long do people live here? how many residents are
new each year? and so on.
Page 9: In Table 1 (Stakeholder Identification Types), under “Building and Development,” I don’t
recognize any of the examples as “realtors.” I also don’t know what “Newport Equities” is. A
website using that name connects to something called the “Province Group,” which seems to be
(like several of the others listed) a real estate development/investment firm with an office in
Newport Center. The only Newport Beach project they list is the Sailhouse residential
development in Corona del Mar, which appears to have been built in around 2001 under the
name “John Laing Homes.”
As a general comment, the choices appearing in the “Example Organizations” lists are a little
hard to understand. Some seem truly “examples” where many others could be named, while
others appear to be attempts to be exhaustive. Is the consultant soliciting additional names?
What outreach is planned for these? Who will be invited to the “intimate virtual interviews”
described on page 21? Will those not invited be contacted?
Page 13: Under Section 3 (Community Engagement Timeline), I appreciate Figure 4 is confined
to listing engagement activities. Nonetheless, “Phase 2,” running from Spring 2024 to Spring
2025 is labeled “Policy Development and General Plan Amendment,” which implies that while the
indicated outreach is going on, the GPAC will be working on and completing those aspects of the
GPU.
We are already near the end of Summer 2024, and Spring 2025 is not so far off. As I indicated in
my separate comments on page 30 of the 41-page Attachment 2 to Item IV.b, is it possible to
make public a detailed timeline of what staff and the consultants expect the GPAC and its
subcommittees to be doing during this time, so they will be able to successfully complete their
task of recommending amendments by the end of Phase 2?
Page 14: In Table 2 (Notification Methods), a mailer provided as a water bill insert is only going to
reach addresses receiving water from the City, and even then, only those who elect to be billed by
mail. The City Manager’s weekly newsletter is not currently a mailed product, but rather
something posted electronically. The City does, however, have a capability to send postcards (or
other material) to all mailboxes, and has done so in the past.
1 What seems to be an alternative Census Bureau profile for Newport Beach quotes the same “85,239”
figure for the 2020 Census. Curiously, the City’s Population By Year webpage agrees with the 2010 Census
number, but gives “85,780” as the 2020 Census result.
General Plan Advisory Committee - September 4, 2024 IV.c - Additional Materials Received