Council to consider Sakioka deal

Susan McCormack

COSTA MESA -- The City Council will decide tonight whether to make a

$1-million trade with Sakioka Farms. If they do, Sakioka Farms will be

given the right to develop parts of their land according to today’s

general plan standards for the next 20 years.

“The land would be given at no cost to the city, and the Sakiokas would

have the right to develop it in the future,” said Mayor Gary Monahan.

Sakioka Farms owns the land, which is estimated to be worth $1 million,

along Sunflower Avenue next to the San Diego Freeway. The company is

hoping to make the trade it would allow it to be unaffected by future

changes to the city’s general plan.

The city has been working with Caltrans and the county’s Transportation

Authority to improve the San Diego Freeway. Part of the project calls for

the construction of an offramp and an onramp at Anton Boulevard.

Some land also is needed in case the county proceeds with a project to

build a light rail system from Fullerton to Irvine, which would have a

stop in Costa Mesa.

In other business, the council is expected to approve 22 standards for

group homes.

The first 14 standards, which include such things as a six-foot wall

surrounding the homes and 24-hour on-site management, would be applied to

all group homes. The other standards would be applied depending on

particular situations.

The council has been challenged creating standards because the group

homes combine residential elements but operate as businesses.

“They require a unique approach to ensure that they are able to

accomplish their goals, while at the same time not depriving the

neighborhood of the quiet residential character that is essential not

only to existing residents, but to the success of the group homes

themselves,” wrote Donald Lamm, deputy city manager, in a recommendation

to the council.

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