Chairman of Heights’ panel asked to resign

Noaki Schwartz

SANTA ANA HEIGHTS -- Roger Summers has been asked by some to step down as

chairman of the Santa Ana Heights Specific Plan Advisory Committee for

failing to represent residents’ views on Newport Beach’s proposed

annexation of the area.

Earlier this week, Summers announced and then retracted his resignation.

Residents are so divided on the annexation issue that recent community

meetings have descended into tenuous emotional arguments.

“The last Project Advisory Committee meeting was like the Jerry Springer

show,” said resident Barbara Venezia.

At last week’s community meeting between Newport Beach Deputy City

Manager Dave Kiff and Santa Ana Heights residents, Summers sparked fierce

criticism when he said community members were deeply suspicious of the

city’s motives behind the annexation.

While Summers was stating his own opinion, many felt he, as head of the

committee, should be voicing the interests of all and not simply

expressing his own.

“The overwhelming response and reaction from the residents who attended

was entirely supportive of Newport Beach’s annexation plans,” wrote

resident Russell Niewiarowski, in a letter to the Pilot, adding that it

is Summers who is wary of annexation, not the residents.

Summers could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Some of the residents who, like Summers, are opposed to the annexation,

are concerned that the change would bring about an increase in property

tax and sweeping changes to their community’s rural charm.

However, Kiff tried to assure residents that neither would happen.

Summers claims the Heights would not drastically benefit fromNewport’s

services in terms of water, sanitation, police and local government

because the level it already receives from the county is adequate.

He also has said the main reason Newport is interested in the Heights is

because the area could play a pivotal role in the fight for the continued

limited use of John Wayne Airport.

But because the county does not provide municipal services and is in the

process of withdrawing its support for unincorporated islands such as the

Heights, annexation supporters like board member Jeff Hamilton feel it’s

important to take advantage of Newport’s offer.

Both sides are also concerned about the possibility that their community

could be split between Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Based on how the

Local Agency Formation Commission has outlined where communities would go

in the future, the area west of Irvine Avenue would be in Costa Mesa and

the area east of it would be part of Newport Beach.

In an effort to encourage community involvement and dispel

misinformation, which Niewiarowski feels may be contributing to the

community’s divisiveness, another meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday

with Newport Beach representatives at John Crean’s home in Santa Ana

Heights.

Mayor Dennis O’Neil will be on hand to assure residents that the Heights’

specific plan will not be dissolved if the area is annexed.

“I truly feel that it’s important for folks to understand the issue,”

said county Supervisor Tom Wilson. ‘We don’t want them to enter into

something they don’t understand. They need to understand the benefits and

shortcomings of cityhood.”

FYI

WHAT: Informational meeting on Santa Ana Heights annexation

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19

WHERE: John Crean’s home, 2300 Mesa Drive, Santa Ana Heights