Corona del Mar Commercial Corridor Study

 Would you like to be added to the interest list for this project? Click Here.

 Project Description

The City has launched a comprehensive land use and mobility study (Study) to consider ways to enhance and improve the Corona del Mar (CdM) commercial corridor. When completed in Spring 2025, the Study will identify strategies and provide recommendations to help create a successful, vibrant, lively, walkable and connected “main street” destination.

Objectives of the Study include:

• Develop policy and regulations unique to CdM. The City will develop tailored goals, policies, land use regulations, design, and development standards unique to the CdM commercial corridor.  

• Remove barriers to investment. The City will analyze barriers to development and reinvestment with the goal of attracting new businesses and helping existing businesses thrive.

• Enhance walkability and safety. The City will identify opportunities to promote walkability and encourage additional foot traffic with pedestrian-friendly amenities. The Study will examine safety enhancements for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists and ways to better connect CdM on a block-by-block basis.

• Study feasibility of development opportunities. The City will study the feasibility of integrating new uses and development along the commercial corridor. The City will explore various types of development, such as lower density mixed-use housing, that preserves existing character and complements the commercial corridor and CdM Village. Opportunities to expand outdoor dining will be studied. 
  
  
• Implement parking solutions that balance all users. The City will identify parking solutions that balance the needs of visitors, employees, business owners, and residents while reducing the burden on individual businesses. The Study will consider opportunities to enhance access to existing parking lots, identify potential sites for new parking facilities, and explore new technologies that can assist in parking management and help anticipate future trends in transportation and mobility.

• Outline implementation steps. The City will prepare a roadmap with specific steps needed to implement the recommended improvements and programs, including timelines and potential costs.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How can the community get involved?
  •  The CdM Study provides an opportunity for business owners, property owners, and CdM neighbors to discuss and weigh in on how to improve walkability and vibrancy of the commercial corridor. The City encourages stakeholders to learn more about the study and provide input. The project team will be canvassing the commercial corridor and hosting interviews with members of the business community. In Spring 2025, we will invite CdM neighbors to join the business community and participate in an open house. We encourage you to take advantage of the upcoming participation opportunities.
    
    
• How to stay up to date on the project? 
  •  If you would like to be notified of future events, meetings, and project updates, please fill out this brief survey to be added to the project interest list: 
  • Check the website for regular updates or contact the project planners directly at the contact information provided below.
    
    
• Does this project comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)? 
  • The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires local government agencies to inform decision makers and the public about the potential environmental impacts of a project and to reduce those impacts to the greatest extent feasible. Minor physical changes are typically exempt from CEQA. If it is determined through the project planning process that more substantial changes which could result in an environmental impact are proposed, the City will prepare the appropriate environmental document such as a full Environmental Impact Report or Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
    
    
• What is the timeline for this study?
  • Opportunities for community participation and round table discussions will occur between winter 2024 and spring 2025. Draft land use recommendations are anticipated to be completed by late spring 2025. The study is expected to be presented to the City Council for potential adoption in summer 2025.

  

• Will there be any infrastructure changes in Corona del Mar?
  • The CdM Study will recommend opportunities for new and improved infrastructure and facilities to address current challenges. These recommendations will be aimed at improving connectivity to destinations and amenities while also supporting investment and walkability along the corridor.

  

• I understand the City is currently updating the General Plan. How does this relate to the General Plan Update?
  • The CdM Study will provide goals, policies, strategies, and/or implementation programs specific to the CdM commercial corridor that will be integrated into the General Plan. The CdM Study is a separate but interconnected effort. Visit the Newport, Together website to learn about the General Plan Update.
    
    
• How does this study relate to the Housing Element that was recently adopted?
  •  The City of Newport Beach's 6th Cycle Housing Element (Housing Element), adopted and certified in 2022, is a separate effort from the CdM Study. As part of this Study, the City will examine the feasibility of small-scale, infill housing that could be integrated into commercial properties should stakeholder feedback support a mixed-use corridor.

For questions or comments please contact the project planners:

Liz Westmoreland, AICP, Principal Planner

949-644-3234 or lwestmoreland@newportbeachca.gov

Joselyn Perez, Senior Planner

949-644-3312 or jperez@newportbeachca.gov