COSTA MESA : Planning Board OKs AAA Expansion Plan

The Planning Commission has approved the Automobile Club of Southern California’s plans to more than double the size of its 467,000-square-foot complex. The City Council is scheduled to consider the AAA application June 6.

Many residents complained at Monday’s commission meeting that the development at 3333 Fairview Road will clog streets, overwhelm city services and open the door for developers to increase densities throughout the city.

As part of the application, AAA has asked for an amendment to the General Plan--the city’s planning guide--to expand the buildings more than is now permitted at the 30-acre site.

An independent analysis for the city said the AAA expansion will bring an increase of more than $150,000 in direct fees to the city, mostly in property taxes.

Indirectly, the 1,135-employee business is now estimated to generate about $2.3 million in business activity for the city. If the payroll swells to 2,509 employees as planned, the city would see about $4.5 million in sales of retail goods, services and hotel business, the analysis states.

Commissioners Walter Davenport, John Palme and Libby Cowan voted for the development, saying they believe it will help the city. Commissioner Mark Korando voted against the project, saying he agrees with residents that it will open the way for other large, high-density developments.