Newport plan to streamline process for coastal renovations moves forward
Newport Beach city leaders Monday took a step forward with a plan to streamline the approval process for home and business owners who want to renovate properties in the coastal zone.
The City Council voted 6-0, with member Tony Petros absent, to approve the implementation plan for its Local Coastal Program, a regulatory document that the California Coastal Commission requires to guide development in the state’s coastal areas.
The council meeting was moved to Monday from Tuesday because of the general election.
The council first approved the plan in 2015 and the commission signed off on it in September this year. The plan will have to pass another reading during the council’s next meeting before it can be implemented.
Roughly half of Newport Beach is in the coastal zone, which encompasses the city’s entire shoreline and includes areas such as the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, Corona del Mar and the Back Bay.
The Local Coastal Program consists of a land-use plan, which was certified by the Coastal Commission in 2005 and most recently updated in 2009, and an implementation plan.
City leaders say the Local Coastal Program is important for homeowners because it would only require them to go to the city for approval when they want to complete a renovation instead of also waiting for the Coastal Commission to OK it.
Residents in the coastal zone who want to complete a home renovation currently have to obtain permits from the city and the Coastal Commission. The process can take up to 18 months.
“This is a great deal,” Councilman Scott Peotter said. “It’ll save a lot of time and money for our residents.”
Permits issued by the city could still be appealed to the Coastal Commission, according to city staff.
The 12-member commission, which is responsible for enforcing the state Coastal Act, has long asked waterfront cities to prepare programs to cover rules for development and protection of coastal resources. The Local Coastal Programs are intended to give cities more control over projects in their areas and decrease the state agency’s workload.
Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
