Newport to draft suit against Irvine

The Newport Beach City Council on Tuesday moved closer to suing Irvine over development plans Newport officials think haven’t been fully studied. Council members asked the city’s attorneys to draft a challenge to Irvine’s approval of the 2323 Main St. project, which includes 445 condos.

The challenge would be filed under the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires a study of major effects from proposed development. Newport Beach City Atty. Robin Clauson said she will return to the council with a draft of the legal challenge at its Aug. 22 meeting.

Newport officials have been concerned for months about a slew of housing developments proposed just across the city border in the Irvine Business Complex. Irvine Mayor Beth Krom said recently that developers will be required to study the effects of their projects, but Newport isn’t satisfied.

“We’re concerned about it overtaxing our roadways, recreation and infrastructure,” Newport City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle said Tuesday.

However, she expected a committee that includes representatives from both cities to discuss the issue soon. Newport’s goal, Daigle said, is to “keep the pressure on, but we want to have collaborative planning.”