NEWPORT BEACH : Rezoning Studied for District in Plane Path
Continuing efforts to quell complaints about noise from nearby John Wayne Airport, the City Council is considering an ordinance to redefine a residential section of the unincorporated Santa Ana Heights neighborhood as a business park district.
The area northwest of a proposed realignment of Birch Street would be rezoned for commercial use if the ordinance passes next month. Four homes would be affected.
Santa Ana Heights, a 193-acre parcel of unincorporated land, is bordered on all sides by Newport Beach. Because the county designates the district as being under the city’s sphere of influence, Newport Beach has zoning jurisdiction.
For 10 years, city and county officials have been negotiating on the annexation of the area, which some residents would welcome because of concerns stemming from the neighborhood’s closeness to the airport.
Other residents. however, say jet noise and hazards from low-flying aircraft have been a small price to pay in exchange for the deals they got purchasing homes and also because of their proximity to the airport.
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