Proposed archway idea withdrawn

A Westside Costa Mesa businessman has withdrawn his application to build an archway sign and promote his properties as the “Mesa Arts” district — at least for the time being.

John Morehart had sought city permission to put his archway over Commercial Way, a small private street off Superior Avenue that abuts his properties near the street’s 1600 block.

In an interview Friday, Morehart said he felt frustrated with the application process, contending that City Hall was placing too many restrictions on his private property.

“I felt like the city over-regulated on this issue,” he said, adding that he wanted the archway to be a “monument” for Costa Mesa creative minds. The Mesa Arts district designation would have been all his own, not city-sponsored.

“To me, that sign was the spirit of innovation and creativity that would foster a community of innovators,” Morehart said.

Claire Flynn, the city’s assistant development services director, said even though the archway would have completely been on his property, approving it was at the city’s discretion. It didn’t comply with existing signage code, and Morehart needed a deviation, she said.

Flynn added that city had concerns about the archway’s design and compatibility with the area.

Flynn also pointed to some neighborhood dispute about it, though Morehart contends that his tenants and a majority of others loved the proposal.

“They love the idea of this area becoming a village with hundreds of homes around here,” he said.

Before Friday, the city received several letters about the archway from area businesses, both supportive and critical.

The negative ones cited parking problems and feeling out of place in “Mesa Arts.”

Gregg Kelly, who owns a boat sales and service yard at Commercial Way and Newport Boulevard, wrote to city officials that he didn’t want the area to get “branded” in a way that “does not represent my business.”

Suzi Iwamoto, co-owner of Gil’s Catamaran on nearby East 16th Street, said she and others weren’t necessarily against the archway itself, but felt they had no voice in the matter.

“We have a proud legacy of boat building,” she said. “We don’t look at ourselves as nonprogressive.”

Iwamoto said the area is plagued by parking problems. Morehart’s private events create some of those problems, she argued, and it’s sparking tension in the neighborhood.

“It’s [also] about the city not investing money in a parking structure to accommodate all of this industry and job creation,” Iwamoto said.

Morehart said he isn’t certain if he will revisit his archway idea. He’s having mixed emotions and is worried about fighting a politicized battle to get the plans approved.

“Do I need to focus on challenging the city that I do business in?” Morehart said.