Banning Ranch - Another Opportunity Lost
Well, it looks like any chance of Costa Mesa negotiating with the City of Newport Beach regarding annexation of the Banning Ranch has gone from slim to none. As reported in the Daily Pilot recently, Newport's mayor, Steve Rosansky announced during his "state of the city" address that plans are in the works for residential development on that prime piece of ocean view land that abuts Costa Mesa. A scan of the internet reveals that environmental groups also covet this land - as a perpetual "natural" park. I can think of one activist in Costa Mesa who's probably seething. What a shame.
So, it looks like Costa Mesa has missed the boat - again. When it comes to negotiating with our neighboring cities we just don't quite seem to have what it takes. It remains to be seen whether the Santa Ana Country Club, a wonderful piece of property located within Costa Mesa's sphere of influence, and other sites in East Santa Ana Heights, will be annexed to Costa Mesa or Newport Beach. I'm betting Newport gets it all. The residents of the areas in question have practically screamed from the rooftops that they do not want to become part of Costa Mesa.
Let's see, now, if I can convince the City of Newport Beach to annex everything in Costa Mesa east of Tustin Avenue I'd get an instant bump in property value of about 50% and wouldn't have to deal with the dunderheads controlling this city now. Ah, Nirvana!
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 2/05/2007 09:58:00 AM
2 Comments:
I don’t personally know the history of the Banning Ranch segment of land, but I think Costa Mesa lost it when Newport beach annexed that 1 foot wide (or whatever silly width it is) section around it. I guess you are right. Eventually all of Costa Mesa will be in Newport’s sphere of influence.
I'm one that hopes it is left as a nature preserve. It's the only natural environment that I can think of here in Costa Mesa. Growing up as a kid we could ride all over the place on our bikes and explore. No such luck today. I hope to see Costa Mesa build more high rises and be more urban in the South Coast Metro area but I hope they leave Banning Ranch alone.
Post a Comment
<< Home