On the agenda

TEMPORARY CLASSROOM

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission tonight is expected to consider a

request to extend a temporary classroom building permit at Kline School

on Magnolia Street.

The property owner, Lighthouse Coastal Community Church, is appealing

the city zoning administrator’s denial of the request. Initial approval

of the temporary building permit expired in May.

The issue was previously on the agenda for Sept. 11--the first day of

school--but was postponed to give city staff members and the Planning

Commission time to visit the site while school was in session.

What to expect: The city staff is recommending approval of the

temporary classroom building permit with several conditions.

They include requiring that the church provide handicapped

accessibility, close two gutters, remove weeds, resurface and restripe

the parking lot, provide a trash bin, designate a play yard, install

planters, construct a wall and submit a drop-off and pickup plan.

SKATEBOARD PARK

The commission will consider design plans for a skateboard park on

Charle Street.

The plans call for skate ramps, half pipes and rails for different

levels of skaters, a shaded area for spectators and restrooms with

compost toilets.

Last year, City Council members approved plans to put the skate park

at Lions Park but changed their minds after neighbors objected because of

noise and flooding concerns.

It is expected to cost $603,472 to complete the park on the vacant,

city-owned lot. About $75,000 of the cost would be for restrooms.

What to expect: If the commission and City Council approve the

project, as the city staff recommends, the park is expected to open in

July.

The city Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parkways Commission approved

design plans for the skate park in August despite a controversy brewing

over the location.

Some commissioners said they didn’t think it was the right site but

voted to approve the plans in order to avoid further delays in building

the skateboard park.

At the same meeting, former parks Commissioner Michael Scheafer

resigned, citing a city attorney’s office recommendation that he abstain

from voting on the skate park issue.

City Atty. Jerry Scheer said the recommendation was not a requirement

and that Scheafer made the final decision to abstain.

TOWN CENTER

The commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposed

54-acre expansion of the performing arts and Town Center area.

In August, commissioners held a public hearing on plans to turn the

center into a cultural arts district.

Plans call for a 2,500-seat symphony hall, 140,000-square-foot art

museum, 140-seat expansion of South Coast Repertory, three office

buildings and two parking structures on a site bordered by Bristol

Street, Sunflower Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and the San Diego Freeway.

What to expect: The city staff is recommending that commissioners ask

questions that may require additional staff research and continue the

hearing to Oct. 23 to give staff members time to get the answers.

MEDICAL LABORATORY

Property owners Marco and Martha Velastegui are requesting approval to

operate an Ambry Genetics medical laboratory in three suites of an

industrial building at 2060 Placentia Ave.

What to expect: The city staff is recommending approval of the

laboratory, which would be used to analyze samples collected away from

the site.

Because the proposed laboratory would not collect samples, it should

not create parking or traffic problems, according to the city staff

report.

If approved, the laboratory would be prohibited from providing on-site

services to patients.

FYI

* WHAT: Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 tonight

* WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

* WHO: Chairman: Walt Davenport; commissioners: Chris Fewel, Katrina

Foley, Tom Sutro and Katie Wilson

* INFORMATION: (714) 754-5245