$6.6 million West Newport street and landscape plan gets Planning Commission’s OK
The Newport Beach Planning Commission signed off Thursday on a master plan for street and landscape improvements in West Newport estimated to cost $6.6 million over the next six to eight years.
The plan includes additional bike lanes and improved crosswalks to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as additional trees, shrubs, benches, directional signs and lighting.
In January, the city began developing the West Newport Mesa Streetscape Master Plan in conjunction with San Juan Capistrano-based RRM Design Group, which specializes in surveying, architecture and urban planning. The idea is to unify elements of the neighborhood through sidewalk, parkway and landscape improvements that encourage pedestrian and bicycle use, according to a city staff report.
The city hosted a series of public meetings this year where residents and business owners could share their ideas for potential improvements for the roughly 149 acres bordered by 16th Street, Monrovia Avenue, Hospital Road and Newport Boulevard.
The plan proposes planting water-efficient shrubs and ground cover along Superior Avenue, canopy trees with shrubs on Placentia Avenue medians and a variety of plants on Monrovia Avenue, 15th Street, 16th Street and Production Place.
Decades ago, West Newport was known mostly for its industrial uses and boatyards, but over the years residential units began replacing businesses in the area, which led to the desire for a comprehensive plan for the neighborhood.
The potential for improvements became more evident when the City Council created a height overlay zone for residential development in January 2015. The zone increases allowable heights to 40 feet for flat roofs and 45 feet for sloped roofs in exchange for increased setbacks.
The additional area provides an opportunity that wasn’t previously present to improve the roadway and plants and trees in medians and along the sidewalks, plus lighting and other street amenities, according to city staff.
The plan is expected to be phased in, with completion in six to eight years. The estimated $6.6 million cost could be funded, in part, with a variety of federal, state and regional grants, according to the staff report.
Planning Commissioner Bill Dunlap suggested the City Council, in an effort to save money, consider moving forward with the work as design-build, in which a single contractor oversees the design and construction instead of multiple contractors.
The council is expected to weigh in on the document in the next several weeks.
