Another Short Planning Commission Meeting Monday

SHORT, BUT PROBABLY LIVELY
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission will meet again on  Monday, September 12, 2016 beginning at 6:00 in City Council Chambers for what should be a fairly short meeting.  You can read the agenda HERE.  Even though the main part of the agenda has only two items on it, that doesn't mean it won't be lively - maybe even contentious.

A 24-HOUR GYM REPLACING A CAR DEALERSHIP?
For example, Public Hearing #1, HERE, is a planning application for a conditional use permit (CUP) to place a physical fitness facility (UFC GYM) at 2860 Harbor Boulevard - the site of the former Mitsubishi car dealership.  This gym would operate 24 hours a day.  The staff report recommends approval and seems to have taken into account most of the possible noise issues for adjacent apartments.  This has me wondering if this is the beginning of the demise of our Harbor Blvd. Of Cars?  Just asking...

LIVE, LOUD MUSIC UNTIL 2:00 A.M.!
Public Hearing #2, HERE, should generate some community interest.  This is a planning application for Holiday (formerly Lion's Den and Maison) at 719 West 19th Street.  Some will recall the chaos revolving about the Maison opening - codes violated or ignored and on and on.  This request asks for a CUP to permit live entertainment including, but not limited to, music, dancing and open microphones, within 200 feet of residentially-zoned properties and on-site valet parking.  Currently their public entertainment permit allows dis jockey entertainment and dancing.  The proposed hours of operation are from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., seven days a week; proposed hours for live entertainment are 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., seven days a week.  The staff report includes the sordid history of this venue.  We know this plan is not viewed favorably by contiguous neighbors, so I expect to see more than a few of them presenting their case Monday night.

WHAT ABOUT THE SOBER LIVING APPLICATIONS?
This is the second short meeting in a row.  We're still waiting to hear from the Development Services Department about when the avalanche of Sober Living applications will be presented to the Planning Commission.  We understand there are upwards of 50 pending consideration.  Director Gary Armstrong warned the commission a couple months ago to expect to put in extra time on those issues - referring to additional meetings necessary to handle the workload.  And, of course, the Development Services Department is working with a depleted staff and a consultant acting as the Assistant Director since Claire Flynn left for the private sector a couple months ago.  It's going to be an interesting remainder of the year for that organization.