Housing
Housing and Development
SPON believes all cities need constant renewal. However, development needs to be well-conceived, and be mindful of traffic, views, the impact on the environment, and infrastructure. The deluge of housing laws coming from Sacramento poses enormous challenges. SPON is actively engaged in understanding the many new laws and is developing solutions to meet state requirements while maintaining the unique character of our City.
Initiatives/Achievements
2023
Fractional Housing - SPON has been active in working with residents and the City to strengthen the City’s current timeshare ordinance to include fractional home ownership.
2022
Newport Beach Housing Trust - SPON members partnered with hotel owners to create the Newport Beach Housing Trust. This trust will assist middle income families in purchasing or leasing affordable homes within Newport Beach. This will be critical to achieving the state-mandated affordable housing goals without the need for endless high rises of Above market priced units with just a few affordable units.
2020
RHNA - SPON prepared a resolution that was sent to the Newport Beach City Council, and had the support of 439 residents, objecting to the Southern California Association of Government’s (SCAG) Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) revised allocation methodology mandating that Newport Beach plan for 4,845 additional residential units.
General Plan Update - SPON members are actively participating in the current General Plan update process which provides the blueprint for what Newport Beach will look like in the future.
2017
Museum Tower - SPON strongly opposed the proposal for a 25 story residential tower in Newport Center. SPON led a successful petition drive to defeat the project.
2016
AutoNation - SPON supported Newport Heights and Bayshore residents to defeat a proposed auto dealership on Mariner’s Mile that would have obstructed views, cut in to the bluff, and increased gridlock on PCH. The proposal was withdrawn by the applicant.
2014
Measure Y - SPON successfully campaigned to defeat Measure Y which would have added over one million square feet of new office, retail, commercial and high-density residential units to Newport Center.
2000
Greenlight - SPON Members worked tirelessly to create Greenlight and put this city charter amendment on the ballot. Greenlight requires that developments beyond a certain size, and resulting in an increase in traffic, must be voted on by the residents. This measure remains in effect and promotes resident involvement in major projects within the City.
1981
Newport Center - SPON initiated a referendum to repeal expansion plans for Newport Center. The City Council subsequently rescinded the plan because a negative vote was imminent as a result of the residents’ response.
1978
Traffic Phasing Initiative - SPON developed and gathered signatures for an ordinance that requires the impact on traffic be considered for new development.