Commission approves Town Center project

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- In a series of conflicted votes, the Planning Commission

on Monday approved the proposed South Coast Plaza Town Center.

“This is not a perfect deal, and I think we could spend three months

massaging it and still not have it perfect,” said Walter Davenport,

chairman of the commission. “I don’t think it’s right for us to just take

the juicy part -- the cultural arts elements -- and throw the rest out.

It all has to go together to create the atmosphere we want in a cultural

arts district.”

The 54-acre expansion proposal includes a new concert hall, expansion

of South Coast Repertory Theater, three new office buildings and two

parking structures in a pedestrian-oriented cultural arts district

bordered by Bristol Street, Sunflower Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and the

San Diego Freeway.

Commonwealth Partners LLC, South Coast Plaza and the Orange County

Performing Arts Center own different sections of the site.

Vice chairman Tom Sutro, Commissioner Katie Wilson and Davenport

approved the project’s environmental report, development agreements and

changes to the city’s master and specific plans to allow more traffic and

higher building density.

Other than the 4-1 vote approving the performing arts center

development agreement, with Commissioner Chris Fewel dissenting, the

commission approved the project elements in 3-2 votes, with Commissioner

Katrina Foley joining Fewel in dissension.

“I wouldn’t want anybody to think I am a no-growth or slow-growth

advocate,” Fewel said. “I would like to make it clear that I think

Segerstrom and Commonwealth Partners are responsible developers. I just

don’t think the deal on the table is good enough, considering regional

impacts. But moving it out of our hands and into [the City Council’s] is

the best thing we could do now.”

Paul Freemen, a spokesman for South Coast Plaza, said he was pleased

the proposal is moving on to the council and is confident it will be

looked at fairly.

The City Council is tentatively scheduled to consider the project Dec.

4, when the newly elected council members are tentatively scheduled to

begin their terms.