Readers respond

The process for Costa Mesa’s West Side Specific Plan has show-stopping

flaws that may lead to the $150,000 effort’s languishing on a dusty

shelf.

A major flaw is that the current process is not getting West Side

stakeholders to join in a consensus. City staff and the consultant, EIP

Associates, started off strongly and hopes were initially high throughout

West Side.

But the process turned out to be flawed because the consultants held

only serial events for various groups to vent their feelings. First,

there were homeowners preaching to one another. Later, business people

met and preached to their choir. Still later, Latinos met and preached to

one another. After each venting, staff/consultant would, like a weather

vane, change the preliminary plan to indicate the direction of the latest

blast of polarized words. This week, West Siders had a chance to comment

on (but not discuss or debate) the consultant’s latest weather report

which has now been elevated to the status of “Draft Specific Plan.”

Most attendees were homeowners. Out of some 250 attendees, only about

10 Latinos showed and only a couple spoke. (For reference, Latinos make

up about 50% of the West Side population.) Only about 20 business people

showed, and maybe half of them spoke.

Next stop in the process is apparently for staff and consultant to

meet in a back room and decide what is best for the West Side. Then it’s

on to a few more “comment” ventings, and finally the City Council will

enshrine it forever in the General Plan.

But it won’t fly. Other cities’ experiences show that, nowadays,

stakeholders want to decide their future, thank you very much. They don’t

buy the old patriarchal, “Council/Consultant knows best” approach any

more. The anger expressed Tuesday at the unresponsiveness of the draft

plan is evidence of this.

The Draft Specific Plan should be put on hold until we have a process

that allows everybody to join in building a true consensus plan.

TOM EGAN

Costa Mesa

As previously reported in the local press; an overwhelming majority

(83%) of those residents who took the initiative to attend the

“officially sanctioned” West Side planning meetings voted to replace the

area’s dilapidated housing stock with new housing & condominiums. This

voting majority wants less density and real improvement, while the EIP

draft plan is calling for increased density in the West Side, and a new

rule that prohibits the area from being redeveloped with lower density

properties. To adopt this high density requirement would be insane.

The Westside Improvement Association is opposed to the current plan

because it offers no tangible benefit to Costa Mesa homeowners. Our

vision includes a true revitalization of the West Side which will improve

property values, and quality of life for all of Costa Mesa.

In the early 1990s, Costa Mesa demolished 85 single-family homes along

Victoria Street in the name of civic improvement. The plan did improve

the corridor as expected, great job! The value of this process has been

established right here in Costa Mesa, and the citizens voted for this

approach for the Westside. A clean slate will allow the city to be its

best. While some residents may be displaced, we need to bear in mind that

the law requires relocation payments for tenants and homeowners.

The West Side redevelopment area averages one half to one and one half

miles from the Pacific Ocean, and borders Newport Beach. The proximity to

the ocean, it’s cool breezes and lifestyle dictate that the property is

desirable (if redeveloped). Build nice, new homes and let “pride of

ownership” take care of the area. The WIA believes that this is what the

vast majority of involved citizens voted for.

ERIC BEVER

Co-chair

Westside Improvement Association

Costa Mesa