INSIDE CITY HALL

--Compiled by Jennifer Kho

HOLIDAY INN SIGN

The Costa Mesa City Council tonight will consider an appeal to allow

Holiday Inn to erect an illuminated, 65-foot-high sign on a 3.8-acre lot

on Bristol Street south of the San Diego Freeway.

Young Electric Sign Co. is appealing the Planning Commission’s 4-1

decision in November to deny Holiday Inn’s request. Commission Chairman

Walt Davenport dissented.

The hotel originally filed a request for the sign with the city

planning staff but appealed to the Planning Commission after being turned

down. The maximum sign height allowed under the city code is 32 feet.

Ken Person, a Young Electric Sign Co. spokesman representing Holiday

Inn, said at the Planning Commission meeting that a 65-foot-high sign is

the lowest height that can be seen from the freeway.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Although the Planning Commission and city staff have

denied the request, the council will hold a public hearing before making

a decision.

RESTAURANT EXPANSION

The council will consider a plan to expand a vacant restaurant space

at South Coast Plaza by 662 feet and reduce its outdoor dining patio by

172 square feet to make room for Z’tejas Grill, a Southwestern cuisine

restaurant with a bar.

The expansion, which would require a master plan amendment, would be

in a space between Sears and Clubhouse Restaurant.

The restaurant space previously was occupied by Piret’s.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Approval is likely since the Planning Commission

unanimously voted in November to recommend the council’s OK of the plan.

PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCY

The council will discuss filling the Planning Commission position that

will open after Dec. 27, when Commissioner Chris Fewel will resign.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The recommendation in the city staff report is for the

council to either direct its staff to solicit potential applicants or to

provide alternative direction.

At a study session Dec. 11, Mayor Libby Cowan said she was interested

in reviewing not only the pending vacancy but also all of the council

appointments to the Planning Commission and Parks Commission.

FYI

* What: Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting

* When: 6:30 tonight

* Where: 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

* Information: (714) 754-5223