A Big Agenda For The Planning Commission
AN INTERESTING EVENING AHEAD
The Rob Dickson-led Costa Mesa Planning Commission meets again Monday, May 11, 2015 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers for what likely will be a VERY interesting meeting. You can read the agenda HERE.
AN EASY ONE TO BEGIN
It looks like it might start out with an easy one in Public Hearing #1, HERE. This is a plan for a two-unit development at 1620 Orange Avenue with a couple minor adjustments to setbacks. As far as I can tell from the staff report, this should be a nice little project.
DENIAL OF RADIO STATION
Public Hearing #2, HERE, is a little more interesting. This is an appeal of a decision by the Zoning Administrator to deny the application for a radio station at 440 Fair Drive which includes a 70-foot tall antenna in the parking lot! Some might recall that address - the site of previous controversial businesses. Reviewing the agenda report, it seems unlikely that the appeal will be approved since there is no way to screen that tower, which is nearly twice the height of any other structure nearby.
MOVING SUTRA LOUNGE
Public Hearing #3, HERE, is an entirely different kettle of fish. The applicant - Diamond Star Associates, in the person of former Senior Costa Mesa Development executive, Don Lamm - who represents the owners - Greenlaw Partners (a member of which will receive recognition at the upcoming Mayor's Celebration next week) are asking for a Master Plan amendment to move the existing Sutra Lounge - a business that generates significant calls for service - from the current location at the confluence of Newport Boulevard and Harbor Boulevard to the former NikeTown location at the other end of The Triangle, along 19th Street. The existing space would then be available for another restaurant.
NO PARKING PROBLEM, THEY SAY.... UH, HUH...
According to the staff report, parking will not be a problem because there is a surplus of parking at The Triangle. OK, if they say so, but my personal experience and that of many of my neighbors is that there are major parking issues at The Triangle, particularly during the evenings when all the restaurants are open and the theaters are operating. Over the years this shopping venue has gone from one with a diverse array of businesses - most of which typically had customers in and out in less than an hour. Today, with the theaters, the gym in the basement and the proliferation of popular restaurants, most visitors are staying for two hours plus. Hearing Lamm's pitch on the parking will be very interesting. The staff is recommending approval.
ANOTHER INTENSE DEVELOPMENT ON THE WESTSIDE
Public Hearing #4, HERE, is also an interesting item. This is the development of 177 units at 671 W. 17th Street - the old Argo-Tech industrial site at the corner of 17th Street and Pomona Avenue. According to the staff report, there will be three-story with rooftop patios in these configurations: 42 detached live/work units; 89 attached live/work units and 46 residential loft units. Don Lamm is also pitching this one. The staff report is nearly 1,600 pages! This project follows the guidelines of the Mesa West Bluffs Urban Plan created a decade ago. Theoretically, the parking is within guidelines, but includes some of the "open spaces" within closed garages! What? The staff recommends approval of this very intense, traffic-producing development.
ORGANICS RECYCLING MEETING CONFLICTS WITH THIS ONE
Oh, yes, simultaneous with this meeting there will be an Organics Recycling meeting at the same time at the Halecrest Community Center, not too far away. It's decision time again...
The Rob Dickson-led Costa Mesa Planning Commission meets again Monday, May 11, 2015 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers for what likely will be a VERY interesting meeting. You can read the agenda HERE.AN EASY ONE TO BEGIN
It looks like it might start out with an easy one in Public Hearing #1, HERE. This is a plan for a two-unit development at 1620 Orange Avenue with a couple minor adjustments to setbacks. As far as I can tell from the staff report, this should be a nice little project.
Public Hearing #2, HERE, is a little more interesting. This is an appeal of a decision by the Zoning Administrator to deny the application for a radio station at 440 Fair Drive which includes a 70-foot tall antenna in the parking lot! Some might recall that address - the site of previous controversial businesses. Reviewing the agenda report, it seems unlikely that the appeal will be approved since there is no way to screen that tower, which is nearly twice the height of any other structure nearby.MOVING SUTRA LOUNGE
Public Hearing #3, HERE, is an entirely different kettle of fish. The applicant - Diamond Star Associates, in the person of former Senior Costa Mesa Development executive, Don Lamm - who represents the owners - Greenlaw Partners (a member of which will receive recognition at the upcoming Mayor's Celebration next week) are asking for a Master Plan amendment to move the existing Sutra Lounge - a business that generates significant calls for service - from the current location at the confluence of Newport Boulevard and Harbor Boulevard to the former NikeTown location at the other end of The Triangle, along 19th Street. The existing space would then be available for another restaurant.NO PARKING PROBLEM, THEY SAY.... UH, HUH...
According to the staff report, parking will not be a problem because there is a surplus of parking at The Triangle. OK, if they say so, but my personal experience and that of many of my neighbors is that there are major parking issues at The Triangle, particularly during the evenings when all the restaurants are open and the theaters are operating. Over the years this shopping venue has gone from one with a diverse array of businesses - most of which typically had customers in and out in less than an hour. Today, with the theaters, the gym in the basement and the proliferation of popular restaurants, most visitors are staying for two hours plus. Hearing Lamm's pitch on the parking will be very interesting. The staff is recommending approval.ANOTHER INTENSE DEVELOPMENT ON THE WESTSIDE
ORGANICS RECYCLING MEETING CONFLICTS WITH THIS ONE
Oh, yes, simultaneous with this meeting there will be an Organics Recycling meeting at the same time at the Halecrest Community Center, not too far away. It's decision time again...
Labels: Don Lamm, Greenlaw Partners, Organics Recycling, The Triangle
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 5/08/2015 12:17:00 AM
3 Comments:
Of course the 177 units already have approval. The vote is merely a formality. If this were to be done property, the roads should be widened, sewers increased, the horrible intersection at Superior and 17th improved. That is just a start.
Of course all those cars and guests will be taking up parking at Trader Joe's and the Boatyard Collective. A business is only as good as its parking to get customers in. Without it, they will be gone shortly.
This Planning Commission really needs to formulate a plan and stick to it. As it is now, they say they have a general plan, but it changes hourly. This needs to stop.
WMC wrote:
"This Planning Commission really needs to formulate a plan and stick to it."
Me:
The "plan" is being executed just fine.
The problem is that the plan is written by the Newport bosses and carried out by Costa Mesa sell-outs.
Notate the names of these sell-outs and remind them of their deeds when the bosses run them for council or other positions.
it's great that they make these meetings so convenient... for the developers and their shills!
I wonder if the council majority wants to get rid of the pensions of their shills too.
Post a Comment
<< Home