Local News in Brief : Newport Beach : Part of Territory Dispute Dropped in Coast Fight

Newport Beach may remove itself from part of a territorial dispute with Irvine and Laguna Beach involving a chunk of coastal Irvine Co. land.

In a resolution expected to be adopted by the Newport Beach City Council Monday night, the city would limit its request to the county for a new sphere of influence to include only Crystal Cove State Park.

Newport Beach last fall asked the county’s Local Agency Formation Commission, which rules on annexations, to grant the city an expanded sphere of influence to include the park, plus Irvine Co. land to the east, extending to Laguna Beach.

Sphere of influence is a claim on territory that precedes formal annexation.

City Manager Robert L. Wynn said the city decided to reduce its request because the land to the east of the park can be reached only from Laguna Beach.

County decisions to grant a sphere of influence are based largely on which city can best supply water and sewer services.

If the measure is adopted by the City Council, Newport Beach would still be in a conflict with Laguna Beach and Irvine over control of the state park. The city would also remain in a dispute with Irvine over Irvine Co. land immediately to the west of the park, extending to Newport Beach’s city limits.

LAFCO has scheduled a public hearing on April 6 to discuss the disputes.