Office Tower Backers Hope for Green Light

Newport Beach residents on Tuesday will participate in the first test of the Greenlight Initiative when they vote on Measure G, which would permit the expansion of the Koll Center near John Wayne Airport.

The Greenlight Initiative, which voters approved in November 2000, requires a special election for projects that add more than 40,000 square feet of building space, 100 peak-hour car trips or 100 homes above what is allowed by the city’s general plan.

Voters are deciding whether the Koll company can build a third office tower at the complex at Jamboree Road and MacArthur Boulevard and replace a two-story garage with one that is six stories. An adjacent surface parking lot would be ripped up and replaced after a lower level is placed under it.

The 10-story tower would add 250,000 square feet of office space.

If voters approve the $50-million project, the developers hope to lure 20 to 45 firms and an estimated 800 workers to the offices.

Observers believe the election could set the tone for future development in the city.

While city officials remain hopeful that voters will decide the project on its merits, others believe a no vote could have a chilling effect on development in the city, possibly stalling further growth.

For example, they note, the family that owns the Newport Dunes resort has put the property up for sale, blaming the Greenlight Initiative for hindering their expansion plans.

Backers said the Koll Center project, which fits in with the surrounding area, will help foster prosperity in the city.

“No-growthers call it a ‘quality of life’ issue. There are a lot of people who like to have employment, who think that’s a quality of life,” said project supporter Paul Salata. Proponents of Measure G argue the project will not cause problems for residents because it is in a business park near John Wayne Airport. Traffic in residential areas like Corona del Mar, Newport Peninsula and Balboa Island will not be affected, they said, and the city will receive about $3 million for traffic improvements at various locations from the developer.

Critics, however, said a decision on the development should be put off until January when the city completes changes to its general plan.

“I do not feel that this is the right time to be moving ahead with any large project,” said Evelyn Hart, a former Newport Beach mayor and anti-measure activist.

“It’s the traffic,” said Hart. “This particular project generates a lot of traffic that would have to come down Campus, MacArthur or Jamboree. And these are heavily used streets.”