Sunday, January 25, 2015

Packed Agenda For Planning Commission Meeting

FITZY'S SWAN SONG?
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission meets again for what may be Chairman Jim Fitzpatrick's final turn at the helm.  He chose not to request re-appointment to the commission and will be replaced by somebody named Stephan Andranian - yet another lawyer.  Jeff Mathews was re-appointed, so that will give us four lawyers and a senior paralegal on the dais.  I'm biting my tongue to keep from spouting one of those clever "lawyer" jokes...

SAME TIME, SAME PLACE
Anyhow, you can read the agenda for the meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers on Monday, January 26, 2015, HERE.

YELLOWSTONE RECOVERY DENIAL - ROUTINE?
Right off the bat we have an interesting situation.  On the Consent Calendar, which, according to the agenda report, are items "considered to be routine and will be acted upon in one motion."  Well, Item #2, HERE, seems ANYTHING BUT routine!  It is a resolution denying Yellowstone Recovery's reasonable accommodation to allow 15 individuals in a residential care facility in an R1 zone.  Read the staff report.


EXTENSION AND A "LURKER"
There are several Public Hearings on the agenda.  #1, HERE,  is a two-year time extension for a master plan and tentative tract map at 3350 Avenue of the Arts (Wyndham Hotel) for a boutique hotel, a 23-story high-rise residential building with 120 condominium units, a 3,450 square feet lounge/bar, 1.740 square feet ancillary retail use and a seven-level 480-space parking structure.  The staff recommends approval.  As I read through the staff report I noticed the gentleman presenting this issue before the commission is "David Lurker".  I smiled because, in Fitzpatrick's final meeting, he is being confronted with a "lurker"!  Kind of an inside joke, since in the past few days he has accused folks of "lurking" - folks being little old me!  Well, I will be "lurking" while Fitzy and Mr. Lurker discuss this extension.  Sorry - you just have to take the humor where you find it.

ANOTHER TIME EXTENSION
Public Hearing #2, HERE, is another request for a two-year time extension on a project.  This one is at 580 Anton Boulevard and involves the demolition of the Lakes Pavillions Retail Center and the construction of a maximum 250-unit midrise residential apartment building.  This would supersede a previously approved master plan for a 26-story high-rise residential project consisting of twin towers previously approved in April, 2008.  The staff recommends the extension.

CHANGES TO SMALL LOT ORDINANCE
Public Hearing #3, HERE, is an amendment to the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance adopted last spring.  According to the staff report, modifications are necessary to provide consistency in certain standards for residential development in R2-MD, R2-HD and R3 zones.  I've read through the staff report and am interested in hearing the discussion Monday night.  It appears that these changes are just one more step to make life easier for developers and, possibly, more difficult for impacted neighbors of projects.  For example, in the discussion on handwritten page 4, under the chart, there is this phrase, "the development community has expressed concerns meeting this requirement,...".  You remember those guys?  The ones who made lots of campaign contributions to certain council members?  Yeah, those guys...

HAMILTON STREET DEVELOPMENT
Public Hearing #4, HERE, is for a 3-unit residential development at 530 Hamilton Street.  And, as is normally the case, several deviations are being requested that seem to make this project feel even more dense than it is.  Read the staff report to see how they want to chip away at the open space requirements.

AUTO MUSEUM/CAFE
Public Hearing #5, HERE, is an interesting project - an Automotive Museum, Cafe' and Valet Parking at 729 Farad Street.  The staff is recommending approval, with some changes to the request involving, for the most part, the number of guests permitted for special events having to do with valet parking.  This should also be an interesting discussion.
ADIOS...
So, there you have it.  Jimmy Fitzy will go out in style - discussing a vintage automobile museum - and having at least one "lurker" in the auditorium.  Still no rumor about a city job for him, but he was observed providing management expertise at a lemonade stand over the weekend.

Labels: , , , ,

4 Comments:

Blogger Flo Martin said...

What is the definition of 600,000 lawyers at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean? A GOOD START

1/25/2015 06:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Where's My Coffee? said...

Why won't a snake bite an attorney?




Professional courtesy

1/25/2015 06:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Terry Koken said...

So there's a little blind rabbit hopping around in a meadow, and he comes onto a little blind snake, and they get to talking. Good conversation for a while, and finally the rabbit says, "You know, being blind and all, I never did find out just what I am." Snake says, "Yeah, I have the same problem. Say, maybe I could coil up around you, and by feel tell you what you are!"

Rabbit says, "Say, that'd be a good idea. Why don't you do that?"

So the snake coils up around the rabbit, and says, "Lessee -- you've got a fluffy tail, you've got fur all over your body; you've got whiskers, long ears, and a little wet nose. Four legs, too. You must be a RABBIT!"

Rabbit says, "Well, thanks. I never knew that."

Snake says, "OK, since we're in touch now, can you do somethin' like that for me?"

Rabbit says, "All right, lessee, you're scaly, you're kinda slimy, you're cold-blooded, and you've got no balls. You must be an ATTORNEY!"

1/26/2015 11:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Disgusted Republican said...

So there is no truth to the rumor that Futzy will be given Dan Joyce's as of now still unfilled city hall 5th floor job? Or that Mensewer will create a 6 figure city hall job for the Futz as his very own lackey/flunky? God, I hope not, but there IS some reason why he didn't reapply for his reappointment on the planning committee.

1/27/2015 12:43:00 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home