New neighbors

June Casagrande

For 48 years, Marlene Hester has wished that one day her Bayview

Avenue home would become part of Newport Beach. Two weeks ago, almost

overlooked in a city embroiled in a race-related controversy,

Hester’s wish came true.

“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” she said. “Now, I finally see

the Newport Beach Police patrolling the streets. It’s wonderful.”

East Santa Ana Heights, Bay Knolls and nine homes known as the

Emerson Tract was officially annexed by Newport Beach on July 1.

Councilman Gary Adams said he plans to extend a formal welcome at

Tuesday’s council meeting to the 1,250 residents of the area who are

now in his council district.

“I’m looking forward to working with the residents there,” Adams

said.

Santa Ana Heights’ most distinctive feature is its horse culture.

All the zoning and other rules that allow this equestrian environment

to thrive will remain the same under Newport Beach’s rule. The only

visible change: In keeping with Newport’s emphasis on water quality,

signs will soon be going up to tell residents to clean up after their

horses the way residents citywide are expected to clean up after

their dogs.

“I think that the city of Newport Beach does a good job of

maintaining the identity of the city’s different neighborhoods and I

think that will be the case here, too,” Adams said.

The city will increase the frequency of street sweeping from every

other week to every week. Signs will go up soon posting parking

restrictions on Thursday mornings.

But most things in the area will remain the same, and the few

things that change could change for the better, Kiff said.

All the old building and zoning rules apply, but residents no

longer have to drive to Santa Ana to apply for permits. Newport Beach

City Hall handles these now, perhaps even faster with the city’s

policy of conducting plan checks within four weeks.

The Newport Beach Police Department now provides police services

that the county Sheriff’s Department provided until July 1.

But Newport has been providing Fire Department services to the

area for years. Santa Ana Heights residents have also always had full

access to city library services. And trash collection services, which

the residents pay for directly, won’t change.

“Life isn’t going to change much,” Kiff said. “I think everyone in

Newport Beach appreciates the village and community atmosphere of

Santa Ana Heights the same way we think of Balboa Island, Corona del

Mar and Newport Coast as distinct neighborhoods.

West Santa Ana Heights and homes near Mesa Drive are being

considered for annexation. Santa Ana Country Club operators also hope

their property can become part of Newport Beach, though it’s unclear

whether the city of Costa Mesa will release this prestigious facility

from its influence, Kiff said.