Newport Coast Drive Extension on Agenda

The Newport Coast Drive extension will be back on the City Council agenda for approval next week after county transportation officials agreed not to use the city’s road improvement funds for construction.

Some council members said Friday that approval of the route, planned as a toll-free bypass to the San Joaquin Hills toll road, will not be automatic at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Especially for an issue that has inflamed residents as much as this one has,” Councilwoman Paula Werner said, “I would not call this a slam-dunk.”

Angry residents have filled council chambers during lengthy public hearings over the bypass, which homeowners fear will bring thousands of commuters into their neighborhoods and lower property values.

Under threat of losing millions of dollars in Measure M road improvement funds, council members approved a route that runs near the University Hills community, but they did so under protest. The council vowed not to fund or initiate construction of the route.

Council members refused last month to approve the bypass route after the county postponed two Measure M road improvement projects in the city totaling $920,000.

The one-year postponement would have had no effect on the timing of the projects, which were not yet on the drawing boards, City Manager Paul O. Brady said.

But council members felt that use of the funds violated their pledge not to pay for construction of the route.

Councilman Barry J. Hammond said he was angered by a letter from Stan Oftelie, executive director of the Orange Country Transportation Authority, threatening to withhold the city’s Measure M funds if they did not approve the route.

“I was ready to approve the project until I saw his letter,” Hammond said. “I don’t like to be threatened.”