Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/194393 February 17, 1943. THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH held its regular monthly meeting in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Newport Begoh, California, on Wednesday evening, February 17, 1943, at 7:30, Chairman Hopkins presiding. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Hopkins, Seeger, Finch, Campbell, " absent: Johnson, Nelson and Patterson, Findlay and Allen. Chairman Hopkins called for consideration of Minutes of December 16, 1942, and January 20, 1943. Commissioner Johnson moved that said Minutes be approved with corrections of typo- graphical errors in dates. Motion seconded by Commissioner Nelson, carried and so ordered. Secretary Seager read a letter received by him from 0010 NI- Samuel C. May, Chairman of the California State Planning Board, dated January 18, 1943, in which it was suggested that a member of the State Planning Board meet with local Boards, offering the name of Mr. R. J. Neutra as one who probably could meet with this Board. Secretary Seeger read his reply to this communication in which he thanked Mr. May.for his valued sug- gestion, and informed him of the date of the neat regular meet- ing of this Commission - to -wit, eebruary 17, 1943. He also 'advised Mr. May that it was customary for this Commission to hold dinner meetings from time to time to which were invited members of the legislative body and prominent citizens interest- ed in local planning. He suggested that perhaps Mr. Neutra could arrange to be present at the neat dinner meeting scheduled for March 1, 1943. A oopy of this letter was sent to Mr. Neutra who signified that March let would be convenient. Secretary Seeger was thereupon instructed to confirm the dinner date with Mr. Neutra. At this juncture, Chairman Hopkins suggested that further business be postponed until after the hearing advertised for this meeting on the proposed whipstock drilling for oil in west Newport by Mr, D. W. Elliott. HEARING Secretary Seeger read the application of D. W. Elliott for permission to whipstock for oil in West Newport, stating that the time for hearing of such application was duly adver- tised; that he had on file copy of such advertisement together with affidavit of publioation. he stated that this was the first hearing on the present application before this Commission, which would be followed by a second hearing. Mr. Elliott was called upon to make a statement in support of his application. He reminded the Commission that he had ap- 'p®ar®d "before this Commission on a previoua occasion, at which time it appeared that this Commission would not advise the necessary change in the ordinance to permit the City of Newport to make a lease for drilling, and that this commission reported back to the City Council without making any reoommendations. He recalled the opposition of property owners in West Newport to the proposed drilling, stating that since that time, the picture had changed. M He said he thought the present protest was due to misunder- standing on the part of the property owners - as to the meth- od of drilling and also that they felt they would derive.no financial benefit from such proposed drilling. He said that as a matter of fact, owners of land under which oil was found would derive financial benefits through royalties. He pointed out that it was very difficult to personally contact the in- dividaal property owners so that the matter could be thnroagh- ly explained. Mr., Elliott pointed oat the danger of the State of California stepping in and claiming title to the tidelands, leasing for oil drilling to whomsoever it pleased, and there- by deprive the City of Newport Beach of the revenue it would otherwise receive. He said that he thought that this, was the time for the City of Newport Beach to follow in the footsteps of bong Beach which derived enormous revenue from such leases as in comparison to the City of Huntington Beach which re- oeives only a two percent royalty - a small percentage to what the State receives. He said farthermore that he thought the City of Newport Beach could not afford to -let this opportunity slip by. Mr. Elliott stated that in the contract he had sub- mitted to the City of Newport Beach he had let himself wide open to the supervision of the City Engineer, or anybody whom the City Council might employ to advise what and how structure may be used within the city boundary. He said he would be willing to cooperate with the City Attorney in having a contract drawn for submission to this Planning Commission for its approval.. Also that before the hearings on this matter were over he woala try to get some additional legal advice from an attorney known to this Commission and in whom it had confidence, to show how the Ordinance could be changed and how each change could be controlled. Attorney Herndon Norris, representing Mr. Elliott, was called upon, and a considerable discussion ensued as to the legal aspects of the matter. OPPOSITION to the applioation of Mr. Elliott was ex- pressed by the following; Mr. DaBarry, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Riddle, Mr. Cusumano, Mrs. Gross and Mrs. Lee. Mr. DaBarry was partiou- larly vehement in voicing his opposition. After the various protestants were heard, Chairman Hopkins suggested that a motion be made to continue the hear- ing to the next regular meeting of this Commission on March 17, 1943. Thereupon a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson for each continuance, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, carii ed and so ordered. Meantime, it was understood that Mr. Elliott would bend every effort to contact the various property holders affected so that they could be better informed. REPORT T E- MITTEN Chairman Johnson called upon Commissioner Patterson VISION ORD- to make the report, stating that he was in the best position INANCE #440 to do so, as to him went most of the credit for the work ao- complished. A lengthy discussion ensued, after which, Secre- tary Seeger moved that the Secretary be instructed to adver- tise the first hearing upon the proposed new zoning ordinance I I- I 95 to replace Ordinance Noe 440 at the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission, March 17, 1948. Motion seconded by Commissioner Nelson, carried and so ordered. Secretary Seeger moved that this Planning Commission change its time of meeting to 4 :00 P. Me, effective immediate - NM9f BIISINE S: ly. Motion seconded by Commissioner Nelson, carried and so ordered. ADdOURNMUT Motion made by Commissioner Patterson for adjournment, asoonded by Secretary Seager, carried and so ordered. 7tfully sab�mitted, ClWeLA' w Z tit_ HOffARD We SEAGER Secretary 7 IIL J