Food For Thought
Help Shape the Future of the Airport Area – Your Voice Matters!
Newport Beach is growing, and now is the time to ensure that growth happens in a way that benefits everyone.
In response to the state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), the City Council has worked to protect existing neighborhoods while strategically placing new housing in areas with the least impact—one of those key areas is the Airport Area.
The Airport Area portion of Newport Beach, mainly north of Bristol, is poised for a major transformation. The City’s Housing Element introduces significant new housing development in this commercial district. Without careful planning, this could result in residential development with compromised essential services needed for a thriving community.
Imagine residents driving across the city for groceries, dining, and daily necessities—adding to congestion elsewhere. Good planning can prevent that. Planning can create a self-sustaining, vibrant neighborhood with essential services, green spaces, and balanced infrastructure. We are excited about the Newport Beach City Council’s support for creating a Specific Plan for the Airport Area.
A Vision for the Future – What Could the Airport Area Become?
· A Thriving Mixed-Use Community – A thoughtfully designed district with integrated housing, retail, and office spaces, reducing commutes and fostering an actual live-work-play environment.
· Enhanced Transit Options – Imagine expanded bike paths, dedicated shuttles, and improved bus routes that make getting around easy, reducing congestion and promoting sustainability.
· Green Spaces and Amenities – Urban parks, tree-lined, complete streets, and walkable public areas that make the community inviting and livable.
· Modern, Sustainable Housing – High-quality, energy-efficient homes designed for families, professionals, and seniors alike—creating a diverse and inclusive neighborhood.
Now is the Time to Get Involved!
This is your city, future, and opportunity to help shape what the Airport Area and Newport Beach will look like in 2050.
The Airport Area Specific Plan and the General Plan Update offer opportunities for community members to share ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate with City officials to guide responsible and forward-thinking development.
Be part of the conversation! Stay informed, participate in workshops, and make your voice heard.
Visit Newport Together for updates and upcoming engagement opportunities.
Together, we can build a Newport Beach that we’ll be proud to call home for generations.
Newport Beach 2050: A Vision for the Future
As Newport Beach embarks on its 2050 General Plan update, here are six visionary scenarios imagined by Good Neighbor Newport (GNN) that could shape its future. These scenarios reflect diverse priorities, from environmental stewardship to technological innovation, each offering a unique path forward. Here is a look at what Newport Beach could become by mid-century. Most likely, our future will encompass each of these visions to varying degrees. Good Neighbor Newport's goal in presenting these visions merely stimulates comments and thoughtfulness. Please tell us what you think at GNN: https://www.goodneighbornewport.org.
1. Resilient Luxury Enclave
Imagine Newport Beach continues to be an exclusive haven for affluent residents and visitors. By 2050, the City could reinforce its identity as a luxury destination with zoning and housing policies designed to preserve its high-end real estate market. In response to rising sea levels and coastal erosion, the City would invest heavily in protective measures like seawalls, floating structures, and elevated buildings to safeguard its iconic waterfront. Exclusive marinas, high-end services, and private community amenities would define this future, creating a luxurious but less accessible enclave.
AND/OR
2. Inclusive and Accessible Housing
In this scenario, Newport Beach creates a diverse range of housing to support residents at every stage of life, from starter homes for young adults to family homes, senior living facilities and everything in between. This “life-cycle housing” option allows residents to stay close to family, friends, and neighbors across generations. It also supports economic stability by providing housing options for a diverse workforce including essential workers such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses. City policies would promote mixed-use development, affordable housing initiatives and public-private partnerships to strengthen Newport Beach’s sense of community and foster a more equitable and accessible future.
AND/OR
3. Eco-Friendly Coastal Paradise
In this scenario, Newport Beach takes a leading role in sustainability, becoming a model of eco-conscious urban living. The City would implement reasonable green infrastructure, including living shorelines, modest dune restoration, and floodable parks, to respond to rising sea levels. Appropriate renewable energy would power the City, with widespread use of solar panels, green roofs, and energy-efficient systems. Electric public transportation, pedestrian zones, bike lanes and complete streets would dominate the urban landscape, ensuring a harmonious balance between development and sustainable preservation. This vision keeps Newport Beach’s natural beauty intact while addressing sustainability challenges.
AND/OR
3. Tech-Driven Smart City
By embracing innovative technology, Newport Beach could transform into a futuristic smart city. Advanced AI systems would optimize traffic, waste management, and energy use, while semi-autonomous vehicles would dominate transportation. Public safety would be enhanced through smart surveillance and predictive technologies. Ubiquitous high-speed internet would support telecommuting and digital services, attracting high-tech companies and boosting the local economy. This tech-forward approach would elevate Newport Beach’s status as a hub for innovation while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
AND/OR
4. Cultural and Arts Hub
In this vision, Newport Beach becomes a beacon for arts and culture, drawing inspiration from its rich history and creative potential. The city could establish world-class museums, theaters, auditoriums, lecture halls, and cultural districts, attracting artists, musicians, and performers from around the globe. Historic preservation would blend seamlessly with modern design, creating a distinctive coastal aesthetic. Regular indoor and outdoor public art installations, music festivals, and outdoor performances would enrich the community and boost tourism, making Newport Beach a vibrant cultural destination.
AND/OR
5. Sustainable Tourism and Blue Economy Leader
In this scenario, Newport Beach harnesses its maritime heritage to lead in sustainable bay/ocean-based industries. The City’s economy would revolve around eco-friendly tourism, including marine research expeditions, bay/ocean safaris, and conservation-focused travel. Businesses would thrive by supporting these initiatives, offering green-oriented accommodations, electric boat rentals, and sustainable seafood dining. Partnerships with universities and research institutions would position Newport Beach as a hub for marine innovation, ensuring economic growth aligns with sustainable preservation. This vision secures Newport Beach’s reputation as a forward-thinking coastal city.
Charting the Path Forward
These scenarios offer a glimpse into the possibilities for Newport Beach in 2050. Whether focusing on luxury, sustainability, technology, culture, or the blue economy, each vision reflects a commitment to preserving the City’s unique character while adapting to future challenges. As the General Plan update progresses, community input will play a crucial role in shaping the City’s priorities and ensuring a vibrant future for future generations.
Newport Beach is your home. What do you want it to look like in 2050?
Please share your ideas, shape the future, and ensure our City remains one of the most vibrant and beautiful places to live, work, and play at the City of Newport Beach Website Newport Together! https://newporttogether.mysocialpinpoint.com/we-want-hear-you.
About Good Neighbor Newport: Good Neighbor Newport is a volunteer group of residents who are passionate about and involved in the City of Newport Beach. Members include former mayors, former and current members of city boards, commissions, and committees, local environmental and other non-profit group leaders, and three citizens of the year. It is a diverse group in age, expertise, and politics. This diversity is fundamental to its mission: to preserve and protect the quality of life in Newport Beach. You can submit comments to GNN at https://www.goodneighbornewport.org.
GNN Code of Conduct
Preserving Integrity in Newport Beach Elections: Why a Code of Conduct Matters
The tone of recent Newport Beach election campaigns has raised concerns about the need for greater accountability and decorum. In response to these challenges, Good Neighbor Network (GNN) introduced a new Election Code of Conduct at the start of the latest election season. Designed to promote civility and transparency, the code received support from five of the six candidates, signaling a collective acknowledgment of the importance of ethical campaigning.
While some may question the effectiveness of this initiative, we believe it made a difference. Recalling the rhetoric of past elections, it’s evident that the latest cycle, though not without its flaws, marked a significant step in the right direction. There were certainly some unpleasant and misleading campaign materials, but notably, for the most part these did not come directly from the candidates themselves. This is an encouraging sign that ethical boundaries are beginning to take hold.
Another positive takeaway was the visible reduction in campaign clutter compared to neighboring cities. During the same period, Costa Mesa and Irvine saw their public rights-of-way overwhelmed with campaign signs. Newport Beach, by contrast, maintained a cleaner approach. The few signs that appeared were promptly removed after the election, reflecting an increased commitment to respecting community spaces.
Of course, there is still much room for improvement. Campaigns must continue to shift their focus toward substantive discussions of policies and plans, leaving misinformation and personal attacks behind. GNN, along with engaged citizens, will remain vigilant in advocating for campaigns that reflect the integrity and values of Newport Beach.
By continuing to refine and enforce the Election Code of Conduct, Newport Beach can set a standard for local elections that prioritize respect, accuracy of information, and the best interests of its residents.