Homeowner wants developer to buffer noise

COSTA MESA -- A developer should take measures to block sound between a

new Target store and neighboring homes, a homeowner will tell the

Planning Commission at a hearing tonight.

“I welcome Target to the neighborhood,” said Al Morelli, who owns two

homes in Halecrest adjacent to the future discount store. “I just want

them to be reasonable.”

The commission is not required to hold the hearing since the project

conforms with city regulations, according to a planning staff report.

But earlier this month, Councilwoman Linda Dixon asked the commission to

hold the hearing because of the large size of the project.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Dixon said Sunday. “But it’s such a big

project. And from past experience, we’ve learned that neighbors’ issues

and concerns need to be addressed. I want to make sure there’s harmony

between Target and residents.”

Morelli said he will ask representatives from the Dayton Hudson

Corporation -- which owns the 200,000-square-foot site of the future

Target store -- to plant trees and build a berm to separate his homes

from the store.

Without the buffer, Morelli said, the tenants of his two homes on

Shamrock Lane will be bothered by car alarms, doors slamming and truck

deliveries.

The site for the store is a former shopping center, which had a Fedco

store, furniture store, warehouse and auto service buildings.

In August, September and October, the Dayton Hudson Corporation held

public meetings with residents about the project. Some residents

expressed concern about noise and dust during construction, the glare of

lights from the store and noise once the store is open, according to the

planing staff report.

The Dayton Hudson Corporation demolished the buildings on the site in

January. The developers have planned the shopping center to also include

a drive-through restaurant and more than five other stores, according to

the report.

The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 tonight at City Hall, 77 Fair

Drive.