A Small Crowd Remembers Huy Pham's Death

REMEMBERING HUY PHAM
Friday night, on the 6th anniversary of Huy Pham's tragic death at City Hall, a small group of friends, co-workers and activists met on the east side of of the building near the employee entrance where Pham died to spend a couple hours remembering that young man whose life was cut short.

FEW MANAGERS ATTENDED
Fire Chief Dan Stefano and Public Services Director Raja Sethuraman were among the city management team in attendance.

GENIS WAS THERE
Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Genis attended and mingled with the small crowd, sharing stories of the event and other events since that day.

NAGHAVI ATTENDED
Former Public Services Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Peter Naghavi also remembered this day and attended, bringing flowers and lighting a candle in Pham's memory.

EGANS AND LEFFLER
Others included former Planning Commissioner and member of the city legal team, Eleanor Egan, and her husband, Tom - a former member of the Newport Mesa Unified School District Board of Trustees.  Robin Leffler, President of Costa Mesan's For Responsible Government, the group that helped sponsor this event, also attended.

HELEN NENADAL
Former Maintenance Supervisor Helen Nenadal, who spent the past few years as an employee as the President of the Costa Mesa City Employees Association (CMCEA) before retiring the end of 2013, attended and shared wonderful memories of her time working with the City and of Huy Pham.  You can read what I wrote about her retirement HERE.  She's shown here with Naghavi and others.

VISITING THE TREE
At one point several of the attendees walked around to the west side of the building to visit the tree that was planted in the lawn there in Pham's memory a year after his death.  Some wondered why no plaque has been placed to memorialize his passing.  Seems like a very good question.

FEW STAFFERS TOOK THE TIME
By the time I left just before 6:00 p.m. the crowd had thinned.  It was interesting to note that, with the exception of those mentioned and shown in the photos, few staffers nor managers even slowed as they passed the makeshift memorial site.  Of course, so few of the existing staff were onboard at that time that I suppose this lack of interest is understandable.  It was sad that not a single member of the City Manager's staff made an appearance by the time I left.

A WATERSHED MOMENT RECALLED
It's a shame that more folks didn't make it to this small remembrance.  Huy Pham's tragic leap to his death on that date was, in my opinion, a watershed moment in Costa Mesa's history.  It marked the downhill slide orchestrated by Jim Righeimer, Steve Mensinger and with a willing accomplice in Gary Monahan - who likely spent last night the same way he spent St. Patrick's Day six years ago - pouring beer for celebrants in his gin mill.

WE WILL BE BACK...
Because of the importance of this sad event, there will be more than a few of us who will NOT let the City forget it.  We'll be back...

Two Projects Approved By Short-handed Planning Commission

DICKSON ABSENT, MATHEWS RAN THE MEETING
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission met again Monday night although Chairman Rob Dickson was absent so Vice Chair Jeff Mathews conducted the meeting.

DONATIONS OF DRESSES FOR THE WIVES OF THE 1/5 MARINES
During Public Comments Beth Refakes reminded everyone that the Military Affairs Team is accepting donations of cocktail dresses, ball gowns, and accessories for the wives of the 1/5 Marines.  Donations may be dropped off in the City Hall lobby.  She also expressed concern about the blocking of the right-most northbound lane on Harbor Blvd. between Newport Blvd. and 19th Street and asked for someone to investigate it.

SOBER LIVING/MONAHAN/EPISCOPAL CHURCH
An unidentified person drew the commission's attention to a Daily Pilot article by Laurene Keane.  She also expressed concern about our "stack-a-shack" building.  She also addressed her concern about the relationship between the operator of Yellowstone Recovery, the pastor at the Episcopal church at Bay Street and Orange and lame duck councilman Gary Monahan.  She stated that the neighbors are concerned that there may be a scheme to put a sober living facility at that site.

GO TO THE FAIR
During Commissioner Comments Colin McCarthy expressed the view that folks should attend the Orange County Fair and also support local businesses.

GRATEFUL TO REFAKES
Stephan Andranian thanked Refakes for all the good work she does with the Military Affairs Team, and for her frequent updates.

Commissioner Tim Sesler and Vice Chair Mathews had no comments.

ANOTHER SMALL LOT PROJECT ON 23RD STREET
Public Hearing #1 is the small lot subdivision for four units at 127 23rd Street.  It's pretty straightforward, with no variances.  Three members of the public spoke and expressed concern about overflow parking.  This project will be conditioned to require parking in the garages.  McCarthy affirmed that it meets all requirements.  The commission approved it, 4-0, in very short order.

56 UNITS REPLACING STORAGE SITE AT 929 BAKER STREET
Public Hearing #2 is the removal of a 30-year-old public storage facility directly adjacent to the Newport Mesa Unified School District Headquarters.  The property in question is at 929 Baker Street and was zoned for Medium Density Residential many years ago  .  The plan is to replace the storage facility with a common interest development with 56 detached homes.  Although this project requested some deviations, it exceeds the parking requirements.  It included a 1 acre private park.

DEVIATIONS
One of the deviations requested is a reduction in the setback adjacent to the Paularino Channel, from the required 20 feet to 12 feet.  They also requested a reduction of space between units in order to provide more common open space, and that space should be 40% but they are requesting 39.5% to accommodate the additional 13 parking spaces.  The density of this project meets code.  Former senior city staffer Peter Naghavi represented the developer.

TRAFFIC FLOW
Transportation Services Manager Raja Sethuraman addressed the trips into and out of the project.  There will be an increase of more than 300 daily trips over the current use.  He addressed the issue of traffic flow into and out of - no left turns would be permitted out of the project.  He also addressed the resident-only permit parking petition submitted by the neighboring street - Milbro.  That petition will be heard by the City Council in September.  The project will NOT be a gated community.

RESIDENTS CONCERNS
Eight members of the public spoke on this issue and most of the concerns involved overflow parking and the possibility of the extension of Post Road into this project site.  Several agreed that this use would improve the neighborhood.  Rick Huffman reminded the commission that this project would NOT trigger a vote of the people under the Smart Growth Initiative.  Others, including Milbro resident Brian Valles, expressed concern about traffic flows, the loss of privacy and shade as existing trees are removed.  He wrote a lengthy letter to the commission outlining his concerns.

APPROVED!
After a short discussion the commission approved this project as conditioned on a 4-0 vote.

TAXI/UBER PICK UP LANE ON HARBOR
Sethuraman addressed Refakes concerned about the loss of a lane at The Triangle on Harbor.  He affirmed that it is currently permitted on certain nights of the week from 7 p.m. - 1a.m. for taxi/uber pickup.  He will investigate. 

General Plan, More Development Move On

 ANOTHER INTERESTING MEETING
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission met again Monday night and things went about as anticipated, although not without some interesting twists.

TWO COMMISSIONERS MISSING
To begin with, Vice Chair Jeff Mathews and Commissioner Tim Sesler were absent, so that left only three commissioners to consider the issues before the commission.

REPORT ON EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT CAMP PENDLETON
During Public Comments four (4) residents spoke.  Beth Refakes gave a report, with slide show on the recent Easter Egg event at Camp Pendleton for the children of the 1/5 Marines.  She and her compatriots on the Military Affairs Team have been collecting plastic eggs, toys and candies for the children and last Thursday was the event.  According to Refakes, it was a rousing success, with more than 2,000 eggs collected, packaged and delivered.  The Easter Bunny was present to spread the joy.

CRITICIZING DEVELOPMENT
Former council candidate Chris McEvoy stepped to the podium to chide the commissioners for perpetuating the density/traffic problems in the city.  He asked them how they "fix a problem by adding to a problem."  He accused the commission of bending the rules to accommodate developers.

PROTECTING FAIRVIEW PARK
Kim Hendricks addressed the commission on the Fairview Park Initiative and encouraged folks to sign the petitions being circulated.

FIGHTING SOBER LIVING PROLIFERATION
Resident 47 (who prefers to remain anonymous) told the commission about an effort by a San Clemente group that is organizing to fight the impact on sober living homes in their community, much like Costa Mesa's Take Back Our Neighborhoods (TBON) has tried to do in recent years.  She announced the existence of an online petition, assessable via the TBON website at www.tboncostamesa.com by clicking on the red "alert" section at the top of the home page.  The goal is to spread this movement state-wide.  She also spoke of a March 18, 2016 meeting in Irvine at which this issue was discussed by many elected leaders, including Congressman Dana Rhorabacher, who apparently feigned ignorance of the issue until that very moment, and others.  She complained that few Costa Mesa officials were present - only Sandra Genis was present among our elected officials.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
During Commissioner Comments Stephan Andranian commended the volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the kids of the 1/5 Marines.

"TAKES ORDERS.."
Colin McCarthy expressed surprise that the City Council recently overturned one of the commissions decisions - on a religious/cultural center near John Wayne Airport, and stated at one point, he "takes orders from our elected leaders."

"DOESN'T TAKE ORDERS..."
Chairman Rob Dickson, responding to a critic who accused commissioners of "taking instructions via cell phone on the dais", said "I don't take orders on how to vote."  OK, so he doesn't and McCarthy does, right?

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE, AGAIN
Public Hearing #1 was the second cut at the General Plan Update and the Draft Environmental Impact Report.  There was no formal staff presentation.  The hearing was to, once again, gather public comments and observations from the commissioners.  Minoo Ashabi guided the discussion and reiterated that formal written comments are due no later than close of business on April 18, 2016.

NO LAND USE CHANGE FOR FAIRVIEW PARK
McCarthy asked about the relationship to the General Plan Update and Fairview Park and was told that there is NO land use change to the park in the General Plan Update.

NINE SPEAKERS
Nine people spoke on this issue.  Former councilwoman Wendy Leece observed that the writing was better in the update, then asked several questions about a survey that was conducted, Cultural Resources section and more - and asked for more details.

Former councilman Jay Humphrey observed that it appeared there was a cumulative effect on density bonuses, and that the prior height restriction on development south of the I-405 was being abandoned.

Christine Nolfe, Linda Ting and Kathy Esfahani each spoke representing the Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition and asked for greater density zoning - 40 dwelling units per acre instead of the 20 proposed -  for the Fairview Developmental Site, which is a perfect place for much-needed low income housing.

Kim Hendricks again observed that Fairview Park should not be considered for unnecessary Sports Fields, calling the so-called need for sports fields a myth.

Rick Huffman asked several questions about specific statistics in the Land Use Element.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bob Graham observed about some of the recent projects built on the Westside - multi-story with rooftop patios.  He said they needed 1) a dumb waiter system because hauling groceries and other objects is too difficult; 2) Each such unit should include a central vacuum system and 3) Each should include a rooftop patio.

Resident 47 observed that the Small Lot Ordinance should be eliminated, that old traffic studies were being used to make decisions, that infrastructure like sewers should be replaced before more dense development is approved and that the Banning Ranch will have a significant impact on the city.

FIELD USE INTERROGATION
The commissioners thanked all the speakers for their comments.  McCarthy asked consultant Laura Stetson about sports fields and dragged from her that the numbers include school district fields that fall under the Joint Use Agreement, and that the agreement could be changed or cancelled at any time.  The commission continued this item to the Planning Commission meeting on April 11, 2016 on a 3-0 vote.

592 HAMILTON DEVELOPMENT
Public Hearing #2 is the development of six units at 592 Hamilton Street.  The developer, Nick Louis, is a small developer - this will be his biggest project.  He asked the commission to waive the requirement for undergrounding the utilities - he said such an effort would actually involve eight (8) properties.  Following about 40 minutes of discussion the commission passed it on a 2-1 vote, with Andranian voting NO.  However, the decision left in place the requirement for undergrounding utilities, so - as McCarthy observed - it was probably a deal-killer because of the cost.  It will be interesting to see if the applicant appeals the decision, hoping that other recent projects where the undergrounding requirement might impact this decision.

10 UNITS ON BERNARD STREET
Public Hearing #3 is the project at 522 and 526 Bernard Street.  This is resurrection of a long-dormant project that had received approvals back in 2013.  This is a new developer, Patric Lynam, who changed the project from a condominium project to detached individual homes.  There was much concern about the ratio of enclosed to open parking spaces - the ratio seemed reversed to McCarthy.  In the end the project was approved on another 2-1 vote, with Andranian again voting NO because of the parking issues and the fact that the developer apparently did not comply with the City Council recommendation that he find alternate parking solutions.  This project also required undergrounding utilities, but the developer didn't bat an eye at that requirement.

33 UNITS ON HARBOR BLVD.
After a short break Public Hearing #4, the 33 unit development on 3.71 acres at the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Merrimac - 2626 Harbor - was discussed.  This project met every requirement and more.  For example, it has over 50% open space, including a dedicated private park.  It is less dense by 25%.  Former City Director of Development Services and Deputy CEO Peter Naghavi is the consultant on the project and he presented a lengthy, detailed presentation.  One of the requirements is for lighting along Harbor Blvd and Merrimac - a requirement not seen in the city before.  When the vote was taken the resolution was crafted to not REQUIRE the lighting, but for both Development Services and Public Services to work with the developer to determine IF such lighting is really necessary.  Concern was expressed by staff that because street lighting along Harbor is in the center divider it may not meet the minimun illumination standards.  Shortly afetr 9:15 the  item passed on a 3-0 vote and the meeting was adjourned.

DEVELOPMENT STAMPEDE CONTINUES
It was an interesting night for development in the city.  We saw two projects not passed unanimously and one of which, despite being passed, may be Dead On Arrival due to the requirement to underground the utilities.  A couple of the developments were resurrected projects with new developers.  And, we are seeing the beginning of the metamorphosis of Harbor Blvd. from a commercial corriedor into a mixed bag of residential and commercial and I'm wondering just how this is going to play out.  The development at Harbor and Merrimac is directly across the street from the recently rebuilt Cadillac dealership - a project that continues to give neighbors on the other side fits due to light spillage.  It's going to be interesting to see how that new housing development works out, since it's located on one of our busiest commercial streets and has commercial operations on two sides of it.  And, so, the development stampede through Costa Mesa continues.

Development, Hydrogen Fuel Station On Agenda

FINAL APRIL MEETING
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission, led by Chairman Rob Dickson, meets again beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday, April 27, 2015 and has a variety of issues on the agenda, HERE.

CONSENT CALENDAR
Right off the top they will consider the Consent Calendar - items considered routine and would typically be considered with one vote and no discussion of any individual item.  This time around there are four (4) items on the Consent Calendar and at least two of them are interesting/provocative enough to perhaps warrant a little discussion.

DEVELOPMENT PHASING AND MONITORING
For example, Item #2, HERE, is the 2015 Development Phasing and Performance Monitoring Report - the nearly 50 page report, the purpose of which is to "conduct an annual review of the cumulative impacts of development and circulation system capacity."  Well, since there have been many concerns expressed recently by activists about the impact of what some have described as "willy-nilly" development throughout the city, it would seem that this report could help defuse some of those criticisms - or fuel them, depending on how you interpret the numbers.  Perhaps someone will ask to have this report explained on Monday.

GENERAL PLAN CONFORMITY
Item #4, HERE, is the General Plan Conformity Resolution For The City of Costa Mesa One Year 2015-2016 and Seven-Year 2015-2022 Capital Improvement Programs.  State law requires that the Planning Commission review these programs, which are plans nearly $280 million in capital improvements in the city over that seven year period.  Perhaps a curious commissioner or member of the public will ask for a little explanation.  We'll see.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION
Public Hearing #1, HERE, is a request for a two-year time extension for a 33-unit common interest development at 2626 Harbor Blvd. - at the corner of Harbor and Merrimac Way, across the street from the renovation project for the Cadillac dealership.  The City previously approved this development in September, 2011.  The site is being used as a temporary venue for the Cadillac dealership, so the applicant needs more time for that project to be completed before he can commence with his.  Former Director of Economic and Development Services and Deputy CEO Peter Naghavi represents the developer.

ANOTHER SMALL LOT DEVELOPMENT

Public Hearing #2, HERE, is another small lot development - this one at 162 East 18th Street, where a 2-unit, two story detached development is planned, replacing two single-story units and a shed.

EXPANDED DEVELOPMENT ON HAMILTON
Public Hearing #3, HERE, is yet another development - this on a 24-unit residential development at 650 Hamilton Street.  This is the former site of a church, which has been demolished.  Last September it was approved for an 18-unit development for another builder, who has since sold the property to the current owner, who is back asking to increase the previously-approved density by a third.  Several administrative adjustments are being requested.

HYDROGEN FUELING SITE
Public Hearing #4, HERE, is a conditional use permit to construct a Hydrogen Dispensing Station at an existing gas station at 2050 Harbor Blvd., across Bay Street from Theodore Robins Ford.

INDOOR SWIMMING SITE
Public Hearing #5, HERE, is the final item on the agenda and is a request for a conditional use permit for an Indoor Swim School - Aqua Tots - in the KMart Plaza shopping center at the corner of Harbor and Wilson Street,  and requires a deviation from shared parking requirements.