February 10, 2026
Agenda Item No. 7
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Jaime Murillo, Community Development Director - 949-644-3209, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Benjamin M. Zdeba, AICP, Planning Manager - 949-644-3253, [email protected] TITLE:
General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) Bi-Monthly Update to the City Council and Resolution No. 2026-11: Dissolving the GPUSC and GPAC ABSTRACT:
Since the previous update to the City Council in September 2025, the General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) and the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) each held two meetings, the GPAC Noise Subcommittee held two public meetings, and the GPUSC and GPAC held two special joint meetings. There were also two community open house events in October 2025 and a presentation at the District 1 Town Hall in November 2025 to continue raising awareness of the effort and encourage community member input. The various draft Elements were also on nine separate agendas for City of Newport Beach boards, commissions and committees to provide their input. At the special joint meeting in December 2025, GPUSC and GPAC members provided guidance on final edits to the draft General Plan Update. At the special joint meeting in January 2026, GPUSC and GPAC members voted to move the revised draft forward for consideration by the various City boards, commissions and committees, and ultimately, the City Council.
With these recent actions, the GPUSC/GPAC Draft General Plan Update is considered complete and represents the work from a combined 57 public meetings with 47 additional meetings of the various GPAC subcommittees. For the City Council’s consideration is a resolution to dissolve the GPUSC and GPAC.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; Receive and file the report; and
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-11, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Dissolving the General Plan Update Steering Committee and the General Plan Advisory Committee.
DISCUSSION:
The GPUSC is chaired by Nancy Gardner with Phillip Brown and Kimberly Carter as members. The primary purpose of the GPUSC is to guide the 24-member GPAC and to report to the City Council. The City’s dedicated website for the General Plan Update is https://www.newportbeachca.gov/gpupdate. It provides information on the progress made and upcoming events, as well as opportunities for community input and engagement.
Attachment A to this report was prepared by GPUSC Chair Gardner and summarizes some of the notable recent progress made by both committees. Below is a list and recap of each meeting held since the September 2025 update to the City Council.
Recap of the September 16, 2025, GPAC Meeting
Between this meeting and the meeting on August 6, 2025, the Land Use Subcommittee and Noise Subcommittee both convened. A summary of the Subcommittee meetings and the GPAC’s related actions follows.
The Land Use Subcommittee reconvened on July 24, 2025, and met again on August 11 and August 27. Under the guidance of Subcommittee Chair Susan DeSantis, the Subcommittee wrapped up review of the initial draft Land Use Element and, across its three meetings, provided productive and direct feedback on several topic areas that need to be revised. Notably, the Subcommittee supported sharing a revised draft with the full GPAC at this meeting. After some discussion at the GPAC meeting, the GPAC supported moving the initial draft Element forward for review and concurrence by the GPUSC.
The Noise Subcommittee met on September 15, 2025, and made progress reviewing an initial draft of the refreshed Noise Element under the guidance of Subcommittee Chair Jim Mosher. While there was no formal action of the GPAC on the Noise Element at this meeting, Subcommittee Chair Mosher provided a brief verbal update on the progress made and direction forward. The GPAC supported the Subcommittee’s efforts.
Lastly, City staff provided an update on upcoming deliverables and next steps.
Recap of the September 24, 2025, GPUSC Meeting
The GPUSC reviewed the actions of the GPAC at its meetings on August 6, 2025, and September 16, 2025, highlighting the initial drafts of the Safety Element and the Land Use Element. After brief comments, the GPUSC unanimously voted to concur with the GPAC’s work efforts and to move the drafts along to the responsible City boards, commissions and committees for additional review and input.
Lastly, City staff provided an update on upcoming deliverables and the next steps.
Recap of the November 5, 2025, GPAC Meeting
Between this meeting and the prior meeting on September 16, 2025, the Noise Subcommittee convened. A summary of the Subcommittee meeting and the GPAC’s related actions follows.
The Noise Subcommittee met on October 21, 2025, to review a revised draft of the refreshed Noise Element. The Subcommittee provided feedback and agreed to allow City staff to make some small revisions and to share the Element with the full GPAC for consideration. After some discussion at the GPAC meeting, the GPAC provided direction on some updates to make to the draft but supported moving it forward for review and concurrence by the GPUSC.
Lastly, City staff provided an update on upcoming deliverables and the next steps.
Recap of the December 3, 2025, GPUSC Meeting
The GPUSC reviewed the actions of the GPAC at its meeting on November 5, 2025, focusing on the initial draft refresh of the Noise Element. After brief comments, the GPUSC unanimously voted to concur with the GPAC’s work efforts and to move the draft along for additional review and input.
The GPUSC also requested City staff place an item on the January agenda for the special joint GPUSC and GPAC meeting to discuss and consider making a recommendation to the City Council that an ad hoc committee should be formed to assist in a more thorough review of Element implementation on a rolling basis.
Recap of the December 3, 2025, Special Joint GPUSC and GPAC Meeting Since the previous GPAC meeting on November 5, 2025, the formal public comment period on the draft General Plan Elements closed. City staff shared a table of 69 unique comments received from community members and a separate table of 56 comments received from City boards, commissions and committees. The GPUSC and GPAC reviewed the comments page by page and provided guidance to City staff on which changes to incorporate.
The GPUSC and GPAC were also introduced to the first draft of the Implementation Programs and a new “Crosswalk Tool,” which would provide implementation actions while serving as a checklist for better tracking and accountability. Both the GPUSC and the GPAC provided feedback on the drafts.
City staff presented a recap of the achievements and progress made by the GPUSC and the GPAC in 2025, highlighting that the three-member GPUSC and the 24-member GPAC collaborated with assistance from City staff and the consulting firm Dudek to prepare drafts of eight General Plan Elements.
Lastly, while working to determine the date for the next meeting in January 2026, GPUSC Chair Gardner informally polled the GPUSC and GPAC for the potential to make that meeting the last meeting of the committees. Most of those members present expressed support.
Recap of the January 21, 2026, Special Joint GPUSC and GPAC Meeting Since the previous special joint meeting on December 3, 2025, City staff worked to make the edits suggested by the GPUSC and the GPAC based on input received from the community and the various City boards, commissions and committees. The revised drafts were presented to the GPUSC and the GPAC for consideration in formally moving them forward as the final Draft GPUSC/GPAC General Plan Update. By a vote of 25 ayes to 1 nay, the GPAC and GPUSC voted to support the Draft moving forward for further consideration.
Edits and refinements were also made to the Implementation Programs and the new Crosswalk Tool. City staff presented an overview covering the intent of these documents along with a highlight on the revisions made. By a vote of 24 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 abstention, the GPAC and GPUSC voted to support the format and structure of the Drafts.
The GPUSC and GPAC discussed the potential for a new ad hoc committee to assist City staff in reviewing implementation of various General Plan Elements on a rolling basis. After some discussion, the GPAC and GPUSC unanimously voted to make such a recommendation to the City Council.
City Board, Commission, and Committee Meetings
City Arts Commission
At the City Arts Commission meeting on September 11, 2025, Arts & Culture/Historical Resources Chair Arlene Greer joined City staff to introduce the draft Arts & Culture Element. The Commission opted to bring forward the formation of an ad hoc committee at its October meeting and requested City staff return with another presentation that would include the Historical Resources Element.
At the Commission meeting on October 9, 2025, City staff reintroduced the Arts & Culture Element and introduced the Historical Resources Element. The Commission also formed an ad hoc committee to review the draft Elements.
At the Commission meeting on November 13, 2025, the ad hoc committee presented its input for the full Commission’s consideration. After some discussion, the Commission unanimously supported moving the input forward to the GPAC and GPUSC for consideration.
Board of Library Trustees
The drafts of the Arts & Culture Element and the Historical Resources Element were previously introduced to the Board of Library Trustees at its meeting on August 18, 2025. At that meeting, the Board indicated that formal input would be provided by its October 2025 meeting and supported the drafts moving forward for public review concurrent with the Board’s review.
At its meeting on October 20, 2025, the Board briefly discussed the draft Elements and unanimously supported them without any comments.
Harbor Commission
The draft Harbor, Bay and Beaches Element was previously introduced to the Harbor Commission at its meeting on August 13, 2025. At that meeting, the Commission noted that an ad hoc committee had already been formed in 2024 to help monitor and provide input on the General Plan Update. Although preliminary feedback was provided at this meeting, it was noted that the formal feedback would be forthcoming. The Harbor Commission supported the draft element moving forward for public review concurrent with the Commission’s review.
At its meeting on November 12, 2025, the ad hoc committee presented its input for full Commission discussion. With some additional comments incorporated, the Commission unanimously supported moving the input forward to the GPAC and GPUSC for consideration.
Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission
The drafts of the Harbor, Bay, and Beaches Element, Natural Resources Element, and Recreation Element were previously introduced to the Commission at its meeting on August 5, 2025. At that meeting, the Commission indicated its intention to form an ad hoc committee for review and to provide comments by its October 2025 meeting but supported the drafts moving forward for public review concurrent with the Commission’s review.
At its meeting on September 2, 2025, the Commission formed an ad hoc committee to review the draft Elements.
At the Commission meeting on October 7, 2025, the ad hoc committee presented its input for the full Commission’s consideration. After some discussion, the Commission unanimously supported moving the input forward to the GPAC and GPUSC for consideration.
Planning Commission
At the Planning Commission meeting on October 9, 2025, City staff introduced the drafts of the Land Use Element and the Safety Element. After a brief discussion, the Commission indicated that formal input would be provided at one of its meetings in November 2025 but supported the drafts moving forward for public review concurrent with the Commission’s review.
At its meeting on November 20, 2025, the Commission discussed the draft Elements and provided pointed feedback on a few goals and policies in the Land Use Element, directing City staff to share that feedback with the GPAC and GPUSC for consideration.
Outreach Updates
In consultation with the GPAC, the GPAC Outreach Subcommittee, and the GPUSC, City staff facilitated one community open house and one virtual open house to showcase the draft General Plan Update. These events and their effectiveness are covered in Attachment B to this staff report.
In 2025, the General Plan Update was advertised on the City’s website and social media, as well as in Stu News, the Daily Pilot, and the City Manager’s newsletter. Across those formats, 35,000 residents were reached and there were 3,700 unique visitors to the City’s project website (https://www.newportbeachca.gov/gpupdate).
Dissolving the GPUSC and the GPAC
Since their formation in 2022, the GPUSC and the GPAC have collectively met 57 times at public meetings conducted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. In addition to those, the various subcommittees of the GPAC have combined to meet 47 times at public meetings. The invaluable work and guidance provided by community members serving on the committees has been concluded with their support of the GPUSC/GPAC Draft General Plan Update, which includes eight updated General Plan Elements.
Pursuant to City Council Resolution Nos. 2025-2 and 2025-3, which amended the GPUSC and the GPAC, the membership of both the GPUSC and the GPAC will expire at the first City Council meeting in February. As identified in the resolutions, the committees also terminate either when the General Plan Update is adopted or sooner with City Council action. Since there is no need for additional Committee meetings, it is most appropriate for the City Council to dissolve the GPUSC and GPAC by adopting Resolution No. 2026-4 (Attachment C). With their dissolution, City staff will continue bringing the various draft Elements forward for review by the City boards, commissions and committees. It is anticipated that the City Council will review and consider adopting the General Plan Update in April or May 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – GPUSC Chair Gardner’s Memo to the City Council Attachment B – Phase Three Outreach Summary
Attachment C – Resolution No. 2026-11 Dissolving the GPUSC and GPAC 19-3
19-1
General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) Bi-Monthly Update to the City Council and Resolution No. 2026-11: Dissolving the GPUSC and GPAC February 10, 2026
CITY OF CITY OF
CITY OF
CITY OF
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT NEWPORT BEACH NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
NEWPORT BEACH
NEWPORT BEACH