HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Insider's GuideInsider's Guide for the Newport Beach City Council Meeting on February 23, 2021
Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, February 23. Items that may be of interest are highlighted
below. The entire agenda, and all reports, can be viewed here.
There will be a Study Session at 4 p.m.:
• The Council will receive an update from City staff on efforts to reduce homelessness in Newport
Beach. The City has developed a comprehensive approach to assist individuals experiencing
homelessness and connect them to appropriate county, state and federal resources. Staff will
provide an update on the City's efforts, which include a temporary shelter partnership with the
City of Costa Mesa and a proposal to develop permanent, supportive housing in Newport Beach.
The Regular Meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. The following are items of note:
On the Consent Calendar:
• The Council will vote on preliminary steps to create an underground utility assessment district
for a 50 -block area of central Balboa Island. The request was submitted by residents in the area
and met the 60 percent or greater approval necessary for Council consideration. The Council
action would authorize City staff to prepare an engineering report and cost estimates for the
project and prepare for a formal vote of approval by the property owners within the district.
• Council will also consider advancing an underground utility assessment district request by
residents of Cliff Drive and Santa Ana Avenue between Old Newport Boulevard and Cliff Drive.
The Council action on this item would approve assessments and financing for the project, approve
an engineering report, and set a public hearing.
Public Hearings include:
• A proposed ordinance to eliminate an amortization period for non -conforming business signs.
The proposed action would allow 327 existing signs that do not meet current municipal code
standards to remain in place, under certain conditions. Non -conforming signs are those that were
legally installed, but because of municipal code changes, no longer meet current standards. In a
2005 Council action, businesses were given 15 years, until October, 2020, to modify or remove
non -conforming signs.
• A proposed zoning code amendment that would allow wine tasting rooms within an industrial
zone located in the southwest area of the City, near 16th Street and Placentia Avenue. The current
zoning limits eating and drinking establishments to take-out service and caps indoor seating at six
people. The amendment would allow businesses to sell and serve wine, and allow expanded
seating capacity based on parking availability and building and fire codes.
Current Business includes:
• The Council will receive an update on potential measures to increase safety on the Oceanfront
Boardwalk. In September 2020, the Council approved the Oceanfront Boardwalk Safety Program
that increased fines for speeding, among other measures. The Council also directed staff to study
additional traffic -calming measures. Staff will report on the results of those studies. Additionally,
staff will discuss the Boardwalk Ambassador Pilot Program that has recently begun.