BREAKING NEWS

A California court of appeals has upheld Measure B, the 2008 ballot measure that requires Newport Beach to build its next city hall on a 12 acres next to the central library in Newport Center.

Newport Beach voters passed Measure B in February 2008 by a 53% margin.

Allan Beek first sued Newport and City Clerk LaVonne Harkless over the legality of Measure B, which requires the new city hall to be built on land next to the central library. The City Council later voted unanimously to support the measure, reconciling its earlier 3-4 split.

Beek’s lawsuit claims only the council may decide city hall’s next location, making the results of Measure B invalid.

Beek filed a second lawsuit claiming the council’s vote violated the California Environmental Quality Act and the city’s general plan. He alleged the council’s vote to support Measure B was illegal because the city already dedicated the land as open space.

In a 12-page ruling issued Tuesday, the Fourth Appelate District Court upheld the voters’ right to decide where to put the city hall.