Petition Campaign Fails to Block Annexation

Newport Coast, a 7.6-square-mile area with some of the most expensive ocean-view homes in Orange County, will become part of the city of Newport Beach on Jan. 1, barring a successful legal challenge.

A petition campaign to block Newport Beach from annexing the community failed to gather enough valid signatures to force a vote on the proposal, elections officials said Wednesday.

The Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission approved annexation in September, but the decision was challenged by two groups of Newport Coast homeowners who expressed reservations. Newport Coast is now in unincorporated Orange County.