HomeMy WebLinkAboutIV(d)_Additional Materials Recieved_MosherOctober 2, 2024, GPAC Agenda Item IV.d Comments
The following comments on an item 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.d. Upcoming Workshops: Draft General Plan Goal and Policy
Topics
The memo accompanying this item is somewhat at odds with agenda notice. The former says
“Refined draft goals and policies will return to the GPAC and its subcommittees for further review
and discussion,” but the latter appears to say the GPAC will be asked to choose between that
option and having Dudek proceed with the workshops based solely on the suggestions received
at this meeting. Is the memo trying to say that if GPAC authorizes Dudek to proceed, GPAC will
see the goals and policies, again, after Dudek has refined them based on the workshops?
There are some other procedural ambiguities, such as: at what hour would these workshops be
held? The Wednesday, December 4, 2024, workshop, for example, is scheduled on what would
normally be the monthly GPAC meeting date. Will it be at the same hour?
How will the workshops be advertised, and what is the expected attendance?
It is additionally unclear what the workshop attendees will be told. For example, the existing
General Plan contains twenty-four Natural Resources Element goals and nine Recreation
Element goals. Is Dudek’s proposal to reduce those to eight Natural Resources and seven
Recreation goals? Will they be told the GPAC has recommended this?
The meaning of the bullet points (the proposed actions?) under the suggested goals is not always
self-evident. For example, under Natural Resources Goal 1, what does “Native vegetation in
parks and public spaces” mean? From the context, the suggestion would apparently be to add
rather than remove native plants, but would existing plants be replaced? Or natives added? Or
just natives used in new parks? Or is it just a discussion topic?
Adding to the confusion, some of the bullet points are stated without a verb, as if they were
intended as discussion topics (for example, “Restoration of kelp beds” or the above native
vegetation in parks topic) and others with verbs, as if they are statements of proposed actions (for
example, “Reduce paved surfaces”). Is this distinction intentional?
As a random comment, Natural Resources Goal 5 (“A city with clean air that prevents air
pollution”) is very confusingly stated. “A city with clean air and that prevents air pollution” of “A
city with clean air and a city that prevents air pollution” would be better.
General Plan Advisory Committee - October 2, 2024 IV.d - Additional Materials Received