Received After Agenda Printed
April 25, 2023
Agenda Item No. XIII
Nenigb6or
Newpcft
goodneigh6ornewport.org
April 30, 2023
Mayor Blom and Council Members:
Good Neighbor Newport would like to share with the Council its view on Item XIII (Matters Which Council Members Have Asked to be Place on a Future Agenda (non -discussion item)) for the April 25, 2023 meeting GNN has serious concerns about the proposal to amend the percentage of affordable units in the Airport area (and specifically with respect to the Newport Place Planned Community Development Standards) from thirty percent (30%) to fifteen percent (15%). In the various outreach activities held at the beginning of the General Plan Update process, the Airport was identified by residents as a priority area to accommodate RHNA requirements, the rationale being that the impact on an area that currently has little housing will be far less than on long-established residential neighborhoods in the rest of the City. Because of the current thirty percent (30%) threshold, it would also enable the City to more readily provide the required affordable units without having to greatly increase the number of overall units City-wide.
If there is a reduction in the percentage of affordable units, this will mean far more units of housing will be required than that mandated by the State just to meet the affordability numbers. It will push more units into areas of the City where the impact will be felt much more strongly, and will make the approval of the Land Use Element that much more challenging.
We have been told by certain developers that the thirty percent (30%) rate is achievable, but to encourage developers who feel it's a stretch, the Council might consider density bonuses beyond those currently offered to help maintain the thirty percent (30%) threshold and the benefits that accrue as a result.
Thank you for considering our point of view.
Good Neighbor Newport
Susan DeSantis
12 Savona Court
Newport Beach, CA. 92657