COSTA MESA PLANNING COMMISSION WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Planning Commission approved design plans for a skateboard park on

Charle Street. The plans call for ramps, half-pipes and rails for varying

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

compost toilets.

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

at Lions Park but later retreated from the plan when neighbors objected.

The City Council is scheduled to review the park Oct. 16.

Different members of the Planning Commission also recommended that the

City Council consider adding more park benches for parents, remove a

fence from the plans, prohibit scooters at the park, designate the park

as a smoke-free zone, extend its hours during the summer and rethink the

lighting.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The park, scheduled to open in July 2001 if approved by the City

Council, is expected to cost $603,472. About $75,000 of the cost would be

designated to construct the restroom facilities.

The city’s parks and recreation department approved the design plans

in August despite a controversy concerning 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. 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.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“They gave us a bum site, but it’s going forward because no one wants

to battle anymore,” said Paul Schmitt, a Costa Mesa resident. “I

understand, although I’m disappointed. I’m happy to see it going forward.

I just wish it was at a community park or something.”

VOTE: APPROVED, 5-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

The commission decided to continue the public hearing on a proposed

54-acre expansion of the Performing Arts and Town Center area until Oct.

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

center into a cultural arts district.

WHAT IT MEANS:

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 land bordered by Bristol Street,

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

The issue is also scheduled to be continued at the Oct. 23 meeting for

further discussion.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“They’re really trying to make it into a cultural arts center, with

art being the theme throughout the whole square,” said Commissioner Tom

Sutro. “I think it will be just another location that the citizens can be

very proud of, and it’s a real treat to be able to have it here in our

own backyard. They’ll know if they’re looking for some type of art,

symphonies or plays, they won’t have to go far. It’s 10 minutes from the

parking lot to the pillow.”

VOTE: APPROVED, 5-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Planning Commission approved 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 permit expired in May.

The issue had been on the Sept. 11 agenda -- 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 IT MEANS:

City staff is recommending approval of the temporary classroom

building permit with several conditions. They include requiring the

church provide handicapped accessibility, close two gutters, remove

weeds, add landscaping, 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.

VOTE: APPROVED, 5-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

The commission approved property owners Marco and Martha Velastegui’s

request to operate an Ambry Genetics medical laboratory in three suites

of an industrial building at 2060 Placentia Ave.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The lab will be used to analyze samples collected away from the site.

Because the proposed lab would not collect samples, it should not create

parking or traffic problems, according to the city staff report. The lab

would be prohibited from providing on-site patient services.

VOTE: APPROVED, 5-0

NEXT MEETING:

WHO: Costa Mesa Planning Commissioners

WHAT: Regular meeting

WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9

INFORMATION: (714) 754-5245