Crowd expected for meeting on group homes

Susan McCormack

COSTA MESA -- About 300 people are expected to crowd the City Council

meeting tonight as council members try to define standards for group

homes and decide whether to allow the creation of two such homes.

The state-licensed group homes are now exempt from city regulations if

they house less than seven residents.

The City Council has debated the issue since June, when permits for

the two homes, Newport Harbor Recovery and Yellowstone Womens First Step

House, were initially approved by the Planning Commission.

However, council members Linda Dixon and Joe Erickson appealed the

decision, citing concerns about the homes’ compatibility with their

neighbors.

Dixon also asked city staff to research the number, type and location

of residential facilities and group homes in the city.

The study found that Costa Mesa has a higher ratio of group homes per

capita than its neighbors. The state licenses 86 group homes for seniors,

developmentally disabled individuals, foster children and recovering

addicts in the city. There are 20 more unlicensed sober living homes.

Proposed standards for group homes the council will consider include:

-that the property owner construct a six-foot brick wall around the

home to maintain privacy and reduce noise;

-that the number of activities and meetings the homes sponsor that

involve more than six participants do not exceed three in one month nor

12 in one year;

-that homes employ on-site managers 24 hours a day for the first three

years of operation; and

-that the property comply with city landscape maintenance

requirements.

The council also is scheduled to vote tonight on whether to give

permits to Newport Harbor Recovery and Yellowstone Womens First Step

House.

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers, 77 Fair

Drive.