History

As with so many important movements, SPON started with a small group of people who gathered together to discuss a problem in their community. In 1974, the problem residents were concerned about was the alarming amount of trash that had accumulated in the Upper Newport Bay. To address the issue, community leaders formed Stop Polluting Our Newport, and organized residents to remove the trash and return the Bay to its pristine state.

In the late 1970’s SPON turned its attention to the issue of automobile traffic.  SPON worked with the City of Newport Beach to implement a Traffic Phasing Ordinance.  Developments are now required to adjust their plans to mediate for increased traffic flow.

The 1980’s saw SPON focusing on John Wayne Airport’s increasing noise impacts. SPON worked with the City of Newport Beach and the Airport Working Group (AWG) to file a lawsuit against the County of Orange which resulted in the 1985 Settlement Agreement. The Agreement provides nighttime curfews, limits daily departures, and provides an annual passenger cap for commercial aircraft.

In the 1990’s, SPON spent countless hours touring the Bay to identify the source of nitrates polluting the water. The regulation that resulted from this work stopped treated wastewater from being drained into the Bay. Today, the City’s Water Quality Committee monitors the cleanliness of the Bay and our beaches.

In the 2000’s, SPON sponsored the Greenlight Initiative. This slow growth ordinance requires voter approval for developments that have a significant effect on Newport Beach – a powerful mechanism to give residents a voice.

In 2010, SPON began the Green Vision Project to identify and preserve open space. This resulted in efforts to protect the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and saw SPON partner with the Banning Ranch Conservancy to save 400 acres of open space, now called the Randall Preserve.

In 2014, SPON successfully passed Measure Y which prevented one million square feet of new office space, retail, commercial, and high-density residential development in Newport Center.

The 2020’s are presenting important new challenges including providing for affordable housing.  To that end, SPON is working with developers to create a Housing Fund.  The Fund will procure capital through grants and philanthropic donations to provide financing for workforce housing.   

The most immediate challenge facing SPON and our community, is the expiration of the landmark 1985 Settlement Agreement which protects the community from John Wayne Airport’s impacts. As the only signatory to the Agreement that represents members of the community at large, SPON is preparing for the re-negotiation of the Agreement to ensure the terms remain in place and to prevent any possible future airport expansion.