Annexation discussion troubles residents

Costa Mesa’s grip over two unincorporated areas between its boundaries and those of Newport Beach may tighten next week, even as residents of the areas try to wriggle free.

When Orange County’s Local Agency Formation Commission meets Wednesday, members will discuss whether to reaffirm Costa Mesa’s right to serve and eventually try to annex two unincorporated areas — the Santa Ana Country Club property and a neighborhood south of Mesa Drive — and those same rights Newport has over the massive Banning Ranch and a small parcel known as the Emerson tract.

The county is responsible for providing police, fire and other services to areas that exist outside city boundaries, and county leaders have been trying to get out of that business by getting cities to annex everything unincorporated.

But that goal hits a wall when it comes to Costa Mesa and Newport, largely because of the two areas planners have said should go to Costa Mesa. Residents of the south Mesa Drive neighborhood and members of the country club have applied to become part of Newport.

Cal McLaughlin, who lives south of Mesa Drive, worried the application will be weakened if the commission reaffirms it is inside Costa Mesa’s “sphere of influence.” He said Newport Beach would serve his area better, but commission staff won’t acknowledge that.

Commission assistant executive officer Bob Aldrich said the annexation application isn’t complete, and it can’t be considered until it is.

If the current boundaries are reaffirmed, he said, “the commission is giving direction that that’s who they believe is the logical long-term service provider.”

Meanwhile, Costa Mesa has moved ahead to draw up agreements to provide services to the two areas. Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, who is on the commission, said for now he’s fine with keeping things as they are, even though an attempt by Costa Mesa to take in the two areas would undoubtedly be blocked by a protest vote of residents.

“I don’t sense that the city of Costa Mesa wants to let them be annexed to Newport Beach, and I don’t sense that Newport Beach wants to annex them,” Moorlach said. “This is limbo land.”