Newport Beach Referendum

Once again the Newport Beach City Council was forced last Monday to confront the issue of community opposition to the Irvine Co.’s expansion plans for Newport Center. This time it did what it should have done earlier when it had the chance--schedule the issue for a special election on Nov. 25.

The decision to let the community decide the issue wasn’t really what the council wanted to do. Earlier this month it had the same opportunity to set the matter for a public vote, but that option was rejected 6 to 1, with Councilman Don Strauss dissenting.

Last Monday, however, the council’s two obviously uncomfortable choices came down to either placing the issue on the ballot for a citywide vote or rescinding its earlier approval of the $300-million plan after a community group opposing the expansion gathered enough signatures during its referendum petition drive to force the election.

No one can accurately predict the outcome of the vote. The community is split over whether the Irvine Co.’s proposal for new office buildings, shops, town houses and teen center, along with major road and cultural improvements, is the best plan.

The compromise plan has been scaled down three times since it was first proposed about 10 years ago. It received council approval last month after two years of public hearings and several amendments. Opponents still fear it will cause too much traffic congestion.

The development plan has merit. But the fears of traffic congestion are real and understandable. In the next few months, the Irvine Co. and the plan’s opponents will have ample opportunity to make their cases to residents who now, instead of their council representatives, will be making the final decision. That makes sense. With so much at stake and so much community interest in the outcome, it’s best that all residents vote on the plan, not just seven of them.