Sierra Club Hike from Fairview Park to Talbert Nature Preserve then Banning Ranch 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 28th, 2012 Fairview Park to Talbert Nature Preserve on to Banning Ranch and the beach View Website
Message from Terry Welsh - President, Banning Ranch Conservancy
Thank you to everyone for your dedication and hard work in 2011.
Banning Ranch 2012 will start off with a series of Newport Beach Planning Commission study sessions on the Banning Ranch project. These are currently planned for January and February.
These study sessions are designed for the Planning Commissioners to evaluate the proposed Banning Ranch project. This is an opportunity for the public to bring forth information that was lacking from the draft EIR. It is important to understand that there is still time for public comments to be made part of the official administrative record at these Planning Commission study sessions (and hearings to follow in April) despite the fact that the 60-day draft EIR comment period has passed.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the City of Newport Beach General Plan makes a priority of preserving Banning Ranch as open space. The Banning Ranch Conservancy will be prepared to remind the Planning Commissioners that the option of development can only be considered if preservation is not possible. The Banning Ranch Conservancy believes that preservation is not only possible but the likelihood is greater than ever with the availability of Measure M funds.
The current schedule for the Planning Commission study sessions is January 19, February 9, and February 23. However, these dates may change. All meetings start at 4:30 p.m. and are conducted in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.
Monitor the Banning Ranch Conservancy website for the latest information on these hearings. We hope to see everyone there.
Sunset Ridge Park The City of Newport Beach has suggested that they will submit a redesign of the Sunset Ridge Park project to the Coastal Commission that does not include the controversial Banning Ranch access road. The Banning Ranch Conservancy will continue to work with the City to ensure that an adequate park access is provided, that the unpermitted mowing is stopped, and that the park redesign ensures the protection of Encelia on Sunset Ridge.
We will keep you posted on the progress of Banning Ranch Conservancy discussions with the City.
Make a Donation! I would encourage you all to make a tax-deductible donation to the Banning Ranch Conservancy. We hired consultants to help with the review of the Banning Ranch draft EIR and no-doubt will have additional expenses as we follow the processing of the Banning Ranch draft EIR by the City.
If you are an individual or an organization and wish to receive updates and information from the Banning Ranch Conservancy, please join our mailing list today!
