Newport Beach : Council Vote Paves Way for Bayview Annexation

Newport Beach took a step toward bringing a part of unincorporated Santa Ana Heights into city boundaries with City Council approval of a series of ordinances and resolutions designed to lead to annexation of a 64-acre mixed commercial and residential project that is due to begin early next year.

In a 6-1 vote, the council Monday approved General Plan amendments and zoning standards necessary in preparation of the county Local Agency Formation Commission’s vote on the annexation. The 64-acre site, called the Bayview project, will include nearly 300 residential dwellings, offices, restaurants and a 300-room hotel.

A vote to approve annexation is scheduled for early October, according to Richard Turner, the formation commission’s executive director. The Newport Beach council is likely to ratify the annexation agreement shortly afterward, said City Atty. Robert Burnham.

If both the formation commission and council approve the annexation, the Bayview development could become part of Newport Beach as early as 1986.

Robert Trapp, vice president of forward planning for J. M. Peters, developers of Bayview, said his company expects to receive grading permits and begin initial work on the site next week. Construction could begin by February and would take 15 to 24 months to complete, he said.