ON THE AGENDA

COUNCIL TO VOTE ON 90-HOME PROJECT

The City Council will consider a proposed project to build 90 homes in

the Mesa Verde area. In February, the Planning Commission in a 3-2 vote

recommended that the council deny a the development. The three

commissioners who opposed the proposal said they would support the

project if it were planned with fewer homes.

What to expect: The council will either uphold or reverse the Planning

Commission’s recommendation to deny the project.

GROUP HOME ORDINANCE MAY BE CHANGED

The City Council will vote on a proposal to change the city’s ordinance,

which regulates group homes.

The new code would reflect a state law that allows up to six unrelated

tenants to live in a single-family home for recovering alcoholics, child

care or senior care. The current city code allows up to three unrelated

people per home. The changes are intended to clarify existing regulations

and to include provisions for “reasonable accommodation” for disabled

persons, as required by federal law.

In January, the city reviewed proposed changes to the city’s regulations

of group homes. The Planning Commission in February unanimously approved

the amendments to the code.

What to expect: The council is expected to approve the ordinance and

conduct a first reading of it.

CITY MAY LAUNCH STUDY ON SHRUBS

Nearly 12 years ago, the city developed Canyon Park, which is located on

the west side of Costa Mesa, next to the Freedom Home Assn. Since then,

homeowners near the east side of the park have complained that the

eucalyptus trees have grown too tall and are beginning to block their

view of the ocean. Canyon Park is in a costal zone, which is regulated by

the California Coastal Commission. The city wrote a letter to the

commission to proposing to replace the existing trees with native shrubs.

The commission opposed the idea, but said it would reevaluate the

proposal if the city conducted a habitat evaluation to prove that native

shrubs would have an equal or greater value for the park.

A biological evaluation of the park is estimated to cost $2,500 to $3,000

and it would take between $500 to $1,000 to revise the existing Canyon

Park planting plan.

What to expect: The staff will ask City Council for direction on the

issue. City officials will discuss whether to spend money on a plan that

could take months or years to complete.

If the council votes to start this study, staff will provide a follow-up

report on possible funding sources.

FYI

* WHO: Costa Mesa City Council

* WHAT: Meeting

* WHEN: Today at 6:30 p.m.

* WHERE: 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Council members:

Mayor Gary Monahan

Heather Somers

Joe Erickson

Libby Cowan

Linda Dixon