Council to discuss stretch of Tustin Avenue

The Newport Beach City Council, in response to at least one resident’s concerns, will discuss Tuesday night the speed limit on a quarter-mile stretch of Tustin Avenue.

Staff reviewed the speed limit on Tustin between Santiago Drive and 23rd Street, about a block west of the Back Bay, and recommends the 30 mph limit remain.

Resident Todd Macfarland expressed concern in September that the narrow road had no sidewalks or street lights, putting walkers and runners at risk — especially since cars often exceed the speed limit in that area.

“I’m worried about my family’s safety and the safety of my neighbors,” Macfarland said at the Sept. 10 council meeting.

He said he had brought the issue before the city several years earlier, but explained that officials had simply raised the speed limit to match the unsafe speeds.

The current speed limit reflects California state vehicle code and Department of Transportation policies, according to the city staff report.

All council members voted Jan. 28 in favor of returning to the issue, at Councilman Ed Selich’s behest.

“It’s kind of dropped through the black hole,” said Selich, who noted he had received further information on the matter since. “I think we ought to hear their case on this.”

Council members will also decide whether to approve the necessary land-use amendments to allow for future mixed-use development at Back Bay Landing, a roughly 31-acre parcel around East Coast Highway and Bayside Drive.

The approval requested by Bayside Village Marina LLC would allow for recreational and marine commercial retail, a marine office, boat storage and residential structures.

Steps toward implementing new parking strategies in Balboa Village will also take place, a goal that comes as part of the Balboa Village Master Plan adopted by the City Council in September 2012, according to a staff report.

The Balboa Village Advisory Committee, charged with bringing the master plan directives into effect, approved the Parking Implementation Plan for the area Jan. 8.

Restrictions on materials allowed in fire rings will receive a second vote.