Commentary : Newport Weighs Price of Growth : No: Traffic Would Increase

The real issue to be decided Nov. 25 is whether Newport Beach is to be controlled by residents or by the Irvine Co. and the business community.

Newport Beach residents want a lower density project than that proposed by Measure A. Supporters of the measure have concentrated their campaign on sentimental issues having popular appeal rather than on the long-range citywide impact of such a dense development.

The principal theme being promoted by supporters of Measure A is that it will provide “Traffic Solutions Now.”

By concentrating on proposed road improvements around Newport Center, they have diverted public attention from the fact that the project will be the principal contributor to the traffic congestion predicted for the next decade on Pacific Coast Highway from MacArthur Boulevard to the western city limits.

This will cost taxpayers several million dollars to correct.

The traffic that Pelican Hill Road would divert around Corona del Mar is destined for the airport area and the freeways. Traffic headed for the Newport Center and the western area of the city will still use Coast Highway.

Later, when the Irvine Coast development is completed, Coast Highway will still be the shortest route to the center and the city proper. The amount of traffic that the road will actually divert is highly conjectural.

The second theme being promoted by Measure A supporters is “Loss of Amenities”--the teen club, cultural center, child-care center and expanded library and museum.

There are alternatives to a teen center built on Irvine Co. land. It could be located at a stand-by school or at Howald Park in Corona del Mar.

It is difficult to believe that the Irvine Co. would refuse to provide the unused land adjacent to the library that is required for the land swap to complete the planned library and museum complex.

Behind both of these themes, and the source of the money being spent to promote passage of Measure A, is the business community and others who stand to gain financially.

It is noteworthy that the measure has not been endorsed by the general membership of a single civic, community or homeowners association.

The alternative to Measure A is a shorter term general plan amendment that reduces the density of the current plan, assures that the road infrastructure is consistent and compatible with the recreational character of the city, provides adequate parks for children of the multifamily residential units and guarantees positive control of the development by the city.