Inside city hall

MASSAGE PARLOR ORDINANCE

The Costa Mesa City Council tonight will consider a new massage parlor

ordinance.

The present ordinance, passed two years ago in an attempt to eliminate

prostitution houses fronting as massage parlors, requires masseuses to go

through a rigorous licensing process to practice in Costa Mesa.

But it has a loophole: state-licensed practitioners, including

acupuncturists and chiropractors, do not have to get a city license.

Police said they have received numerous complaints -- verified by

undercover investigations -- about prostitution in those businesses too.

If passed, the new ordinance would expand the licensing process to

include state-licensed practitioners.

What to expect: The council is expected to adopt the new ordinance.

The city has sued workers for alleged prostitution at a number of

Costa Mesa businesses during the last year.

In October, the city sent letters to four landlords, alleging that

tenants were engaging in prostitution on their properties.

TOWN CENTER EXPANSION

The council will continue discussing and receiving public comments

about the proposed 54-acre Town Center expansion, which has been in the

works for months.

The project -- a collaboration between South Coast Plaza, the Orange

County Performing Arts Center and Commonwealth Partners LLC -- calls for

a pedestrian-oriented cultural arts district bordered by Bristol Street,

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

It also includes a new symphony hall, expansion of South Coast

Repertory Theater, an art museum or academy, restaurants, an improved

parking area and office space.

What to expect: The council is not scheduled to make a decision on the

project. The city staff has recommended that the council continue the

issue to its next meeting Feb. 5.

CENTERLINE RAIL PROJECT

The council will consider making recommendations to the Orange County

Transportation Authority board about the proposed Centerline rail transit

project.

If approved, the 28-mile rail system eventually would shuttle

commuters between the Fullerton and Irvine transportation centers.

What to expect: The city staff is recommending that the council

recommend a rail system with a station at Bristol Street and Anton

Boulevard. It also is recommended that the Costa Mesa portion of the

system be designed to match the overall architecture of the surrounding

area, as approved by the council.

COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

The council will review an ordinance revising the way city

commissioners are appointed.

If approved, the measure would allow each council member to handpick

members of the planning and parks commissions.

The commissioners could be removed without cause by their appointing

council members or by a majority council vote if they break a law.

The council now votes as a whole to appoint commissioners.

What to expect: Council members Libby Cowan, Linda Dixon and Karen

Robinson have agreed they would like each council member to handpick a

parks commissioner and a planning commissioner but have not agreed on a

method to remove commissioners.

Councilmen Gary Monahan and Chris Steel have not supported the

proposed changes but could be overpowered if the other three council

members vote to adopt the changes.

NEW BUILDING MORATORIUM

The council will consider imposing a moratorium on new single-family

houses and remodels.

In June, the council placed a moratorium on multifamily dwellings

while the city considered new residential development standards for them.

The Planning Commission approved the standards last week and the

council is scheduled to consider them at a future meeting.

The city is now working on new standards for single-family houses.

What to expect: The council is expected to adopt a moratorium on new

single-family developments and remodels until new standards are approved.

Monahan said opposes the moratorium and will try to persuade the rest

of the council to deny it or to at least postpone a decision to give the

city staff time to notify every single-family homeowner in Costa Mesa.

“We are considering a moratorium that will affect every property owner

who has a home in the city,” he said.

“I understand we are bringing new standards forward for review and I

may very much like the new standards, but we would be changing people’s

right to develop their personal homes without notifying them, and I think

that’s wrong.

“They need to see what we’re doing to their ability to build the house

of their dream. A man’s home is his castle; it’s not the city’s.”

FYI

* What: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* When: 6:30 tonight

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

* Information: (714) 754-5223