Planning Commission Predictible - And Long

FOUR ITEMS APPROVED, BUT...
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission met last night and handled the four Public Hearings on the agenda predictably - they approved each one - although not without some drama.

THE PLEDGE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sgt. Chris Merkle, currently enrolled at Vanguard University.

SPEAKERS
Beth Refakes briefed the commission on the 1/5 Marines Easter candy event.  Steven Chan asked for help shutting down the illegal nightclub, Maison.  Ann Parker reinforced his request and Mary Spadoni told the commission about the 32,500 homeless children in Orange County, including nearly 250 in Costa Mesa.

FAIRVIEW DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER
During Commissioner comments Colin McCarthy brought up the issue of the possible availability of the Fairview Developmental Center property along Harbor Blvd at Fair Drive.  He cited the fact that the populace at that State-operated facility is steadily diminishing, now down to 280 souls being served.  He speculated about the availability of the property and hoped that if it does become available the community could "pull together" to acquire it and not become "Balkanized".  That's code for "Don't make any trouble if we have a chance to buy the place!".  None of the other commissioners had anything to say, blaming it on the packed agenda.

PUBLIC HEARING #1
At 6:20 we got down to Public Hearing #1, the high-rise development that is part of the Wyndham Hotel facility at 3350 Avenue of the Arts.  Following the staff presentation only two members of the public spoke in this particular issue, and then simply begged the commissioners to do what they can to save Fire Station #6, which is slated to close soon.  That station currently serves the South Coast Plaza area.  The commission approved the item on a 5-0 voter just before 7:00 p.m.

THE BIGGIE
Next up was the long, long issue of the evening, Public Hearing #2, the 28-unit high density development on at 1239 Victoria Street.   As anticipated, more than 3 dozen people were in the auditorium for this one.

DEVELOPER'S PITCH
Following the staff report on this issue - continued from the March 23rd commission meeting - the developer, Eric Nelson of Trumark Homes, gave a lengthy presentation, outlining his public outreach and the steps he was proposing to mitigate the complaints he'd heard at the previous hearing.

THE PUBLIC IS OPPOSED
Then fourteen (14) people spoke on the issue, nine (9) of whom disagreed with the project and five (5) supported it.  Most of the complaints dealt with the density and the height of the buildings - 37 feet in some cases.  Concerns were expressed about loss of privacy, sun and ocean breezes.  One speaker in favor of the project expressed concern that the rules favor "code versus quality", which I thought was a kind of backhand to the process that is supposed to protect our neighborhoods.  He also gave short shrift to the shortage of open space in this project - one of the many deficiencies.

A FENCE?
Much discussion took place on a proposal for the developer to pay for a wrought iron fence at the park across busy Victoria street that, theoretically, would "encourage" folks to walk to the crosswalk instead of jaywalking from the park to their homes.


NOT UNANIMOUS
When the vote was finally taken after more than three (3) hours of discussion and testimony the commission approved it, 4-1, with rookie commissioner Stephan Andranian voting no.  Earlier he had expressed serious concern about this project NOT complying with the General Plan.

#3 APPROVED IN SHORT ORDER...
I dashed home and watched the remaining two issues on television.  Public Hearing #3, the variance to reduce the rear yard setback at 2967 Ceylon Drive took only a half hour of discussion, after which it passed on a 5-0 vote.

...#4 EVEN SHORTER

Public Hearing #4, the two-unit development on 16th Street between Tustin and Santa Ana Avenue, took even less time, with the commissioners making quick work of this project that replaces a ramshackle 1950s house with two beautiful new homes, each of which are anticipated to sell for over $1,000,000!  The commission approved this project on a 5-0 vote and adjourned to their next meeting on April 27th.

A Busy Night Ahead For The Planning Commission

A FULL PLATTER
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission meets Monday, April 13, 2015, for what certainly looks to be a very busy evening.  You can read the agenda HERE.

FOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS
There are four public hearings on the agenda, the first two of which had been rescheduled from the March 23rd meeting and will probably each take a significant amount of time to process.

HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL AT 3350 AVENUE OF THE ARTS
Public Hearing #1, HERE,  is the planning application and master plan amendment for a 23-story, 100-unit high-rise residential building and a 6.5 level shared parking structure at 3350 Avenue of the Arts.  This is a modification of the previously-approved project at the same site and requires several variances.  This will likely be the first project of this type this particular commission has tackled, so it should be interesting to watch the process.

28 UNITS AT 1239 VICTORIA STREET
Public Hearing #2, HERE, is the is a General Plan amendment, Rezone, Planning Application and Vesting Tentative Tract Map for a 28-unit residential development at 1239 Victoria Street.  This project has also been modified from the original plan, but still requires several adjustments/variances.  This one will also likely generate a significant amount of discussion.

REDUCE REAR YARD SETBACK AT 2967 CEYLON DRIVE
Public Hearing #3, HERE, is a Planning Application for a variance form second story rear yard setback for a second unit at 2967 Ceylon Drive.

TW0-UNIT DEVELOPMENT AT 334 EAST 16TH STREET
Public Hearing #4, HERE, is the Planning Application and Tentative Parcel Map for a two-unit residential development at 334 East 16th Street.

COULD BE A LONG NIGHT
There's no telling how long this meeting will take.  Each of the public hearings could generate significant discussion and/or public comments.

Post-Thanksgiving Musings

I'M BAAACK!
Ten days ago I left you with my Thanksgiving message - a tome of sad memories recalled and encouragement to be thankful for your blessings. I hope your holiday found you close to family and friends and that you did, indeed, take a moment to contemplate those things and people for which you are grateful - I did. As you can tell from my photo, I did what many of you probably did - ate too much. URP! Excuse me!

Returning from a little holiday vacation I found that not too much had changed, although there were a few noteworthy events to think about.

BEVER BUFFOONERY ABOUNDS
For starters, our municipal court jester, Mayor Pro Tem Eric Bever, displayed both petulance and bad judgment in one clumsy move. He apparently was so angry at the result of the now notorious Lion's Park/Fairview Park Skate Park issue - both were turned down as possibilities - that his hissy fit continued for two weeks. He had an item placed on the agenda to revisit the Lion's Park issue, then for some unknown reason, had the item withdrawn. I'd like to think he thought again about it and used good judgment, but I doubt that's the case. More likely is that someone pointed out to him that his reasoning was flawed and that he would only look more ridiculous if he persisted. In a perfect bit if timing, Daily Pilot columnist Jim DeBoom presented his annual Turkey of the Year award and reminded us that Bever had been a recipient not too long ago. Just as leopards don't change their spots, apparently turkeys don't change their feathers either. I really am looking forward to next year's council race when Bever is expected to run for re-election.

COSTA MESA GOING VERTICAL
At that same council meeting a renovation of an existing hotel was given the go-ahead. This move, combined with other planned developments, means that before too long the north part of our city will soon look like an asparagus patch, with residential towers in excess of 20 stories popping up like that vegetable over night. If memory serves, there will now be nine new towers in that location. Yikes!

MANSOOR DEFENDS ICE USING FAULTY MEMORY
Then, as I read my accumulated Orange County Register newspapers I found that our young jailer/mayor, Allan Mansoor, had penned a pathetic response to an earlier editorial regarding ICE accomplishments. In his missive he blathers on and on, trying to justify the actions he took two years ago that fractured Costa Mesa. At one point he asks, "The Register also said that 'those here illegally will be reluctant to report crimes or cooperate with investigators in criminal investigations.' Where is the evidence to support this claim?" Well, he conveniently forgets that three of the last four chiefs of police in Costa Mesa advised the council on that subject and each concluded the same thing - that the bridges of communication between the CMPD and the Latino community would be severely damaged by his proposal and that victims of crimes would be reluctant to come forward fearing deportation. I don't recall any position the current chief, Chris Shawkey, has taken on this issue. Of course, Mansoor doesn't care - he consistently ignores the advice of his senior law enforcement officials. One might think that he, an underachiever in his career, has issues with those in authority.

SARA HARRIS - SPEED + BOOZE + DRUGS = CRASH & DEATH
Also during our absence the blood tests for Sara Harris were announced. You will recall that Harris crashed her Audi in Mesa Verde as she played games with her boyfriend, dodging in and out of traffic. It turns out that her blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit and traces of marijuana were also found. As sad is this case is, with a young, vibrant woman killed through her own bad judgment, it could have been much, much worse. She and her irresponsible boyfriend could have taken others with them as they played games in heavy traffic on one our most crowded streets. There is nothing good in this situation, but perhaps her death can be used as a lesson for other young, careless drivers before they kill themselves and others.

MORE "DIRECTION" TO THE COUNCIL
And, finally, I returned to find a commentary in the Daily Pilot by a man who can be most generously described as an "influential activist" in Costa Mesa - a man about whom I've written much in the past, but nothing recently. He bemoaned the condition of several defunct businesses and/or homes throughout our city and demanded that the city council create an ordinance to prohibit such conditions. While I agree with him about the proliferation of such places - even a stopped clock is right twice a day - this is dangerous ground for the council. I urge them to use caution before they begin creating such draconian ordinances. The next thing you know they will be creating an ordinance to penalize your neighbor for not mowing his lawn every week.

MOVING FORWARD
So, off we go toward Christmas and then a new year.