Goal 1: Distinct neighborhoods and villages that accommodate planned development while maintaining their unique character

Well planned and thoughtfully designed neighborhoods contribute to quality of life for residents and support community-wide needs. While each neighborhood has a distinct and unique identity expressed through design and development patterns, all neighborhoods should be well-maintained and have diverse, cohesive development. Planned development should integrate sophisticated urban design that is compatible with neighborhood characteristics to blend with the surrounding urban fabric.

Goal 2: Planning sub-areas that accommodate planned housing development in a cohesive manner

Each planning sub-area has individual characteristics that must be considered when planning to accommodate planned development. Some planning sub-areas are identified as housing opportunity sites, including the Airport Area, Newport Center, and West Newport Mesa, while others prioritize commercial, open space, or other uses, such as Balboa Peninsula, Lida Village, Cannery Village, and McFadden Square; Balboa Village; Corona del Mar; Old Newport Boulevard, and West Newport Mesa. New development can be accommodated in a way that maintains the characteristics of the area and creates longstanding neighborhoods that are cherished by the community.

Goal 3: Efficient use of land to create livable neighborhoods and support economic development

Utilizing land in an efficient manner is important for the local economy, environment, and balanced communities. Development should be planned carefully to accommodate community needs while preserving natural resources. Opportunities to utilize land efficiently and create livable neighborhoods can include, creating pedestrian friendly spaces through design and development standards such as “building to curb,” incentives to encourage enhanced landscaping and streetscapes to seamlessly blend development and the public realm, and flexible approaches to parking to unlock new building typologies and encourage high-quality architecture.

Goal 4: Infrastructure that supports new development, maintains and improves existing development, and is adaptable to new technologies

Maintaining adequate water, power, and transportation infrastructure is crucial for servicing existing and new development. However, population growth and environmental change can make this more challenging. A larger population and increased energy and water demand can strain infrastructure capacity, and hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, and fire can lead to damage or disrepair. Infrastructure can be adapted, upgraded, and designed to integrate emerging technologies to be more resilient to these impacts.

Goal 5: A prompt and efficient system for development permit processing

Permitting new development to achieve the goals of the General Plan hinges on an effective system for processing development permits. Ensuring staff have the capacity and resources to guide development review from pre-application meeting to final approval can enhance the efficiency of the process. Well-organized coordination between different departments and agencies can streamline operations, leading to more successful project outcomes.

Goal 6: Residential neighborhoods that are well-designed and contribute the livability and quality of life of residents

Newport Beach has distinct neighborhoods that together contribute to the charm and unique sense of place of the city. Residential neighborhoods should be of high-quality design. Design standards should consider compatibility with existing neighborhoods including the scale of development, privacy, and amenities. Residential neighborhoods should contribute to Newport Beach’s livability by thoughtfully planning the location and types of housing permitted.

Goal 7: Commercial districts and centers are well-planned and exhibit a high level of architectural and landscape quality

Commercial districts and centers create opportunities for shopping, employment, socialization, and provide essential services and goods for the community. The design of commercial districts and centers is important for shaping how residents and visitors use, access, and interact with these types of establishments.

Goal 8: Mixed-use districts are designed and planned to ensure compatibility among a variety of uses

Mixed-use districts contribute to balanced communities through the integration of residential, employment, retail, recreation, and service-oriented uses. These uses contribute to a high quality of life for residents and local businesses, such as, increased walkability, creating vibrant spaces, economic development, and access to amenities. Mixed-use districts should be paired with high-quality design to contribute to neighborhood character and flexibility in uses that is responsive to market demands.

Goal 9: Office and business parks exhibit a high-quality image, are attractive, and provide quality working environments for employees and services for the community

Well-planned and designed office and business districts can provide a high-quality working environment for employees and serve the surrounding community. Office and business parks should integrate a campus-style environment through design elements that promote connectivity, common spaces such courtyards, and encourage pedestrian activity. Office and business districts located adjacent to residential uses should encourage a mix of community-serving commercial uses to serve nearby residents and expand the use of the area outside of regular work-day hours.

Goal 10: Industrial districts that provide flexibility to incorporate community-serving uses and encourage transition to co-locate employment, residential, and creative and artistic uses.

Co-location of industrial and residential uses can be a good way to provide more homes, create and protect local employment, and foster innovation. New innovations in materials and technologies are making industry cleaner, greener, and quieter. Industrial districts should be encouraged to support changing neighborhoods, while providing a dynamic mix of uses that are both sensitive to and supportive of residents and employees. While maintaining Newport Beach’s values and community character, industrial districts can provide an opportunity for uses that support innovation, creativity, and the arts in existing industrial areas in response to market demands.

Goal 11: Public and institutional uses that enhance the quality of life for residents and are located and designed to complement Newport Beach’s neighborhoods.

Public and institutional uses such as governmental service, educational, cultural, social, religious, and medical facilities are essential for every city, providing places where neighbors gather, children play and learn, and important decisions are made. The location and availability of these uses are vital in supporting a sense of community and social well-being by providing places for people to gather, access social services, and opportunities for education and physical activity. High quality architecture and sophisticated urban design in public and institutional uses can contribute to facilities and spaces that enhance the community’s quality of life and connect residents to their city.