Sounding Board -- Robin Leffler

I get so tired of what sound like pro-development shills insisting

that rampant, intense high density development “is in the best interest

of the city” or that a council member does not represent her community

unless she supports developer interests at the expense of amenities that

make a pleasant living environment for the mere residents of the city

(Mailbag, “Businesses must be given priority over sculpture garden,”

April 17).

Or, that it is somehow unfair to request developers who want huge

concessions from our city -- such as densities well above those permitted

by the general plan -- to attach any conditions to their project that

would benefit our community in return, (Byron de Arakal, “Of Oompa

Loompas and the Noguchi Follies,” April 4).

True, cities need commerce, but good leaders must encourage

responsible development that does not undermine quality of life. That

includes protecting national treasures. It includes preserving things

that make life interesting and uplifting such as the lovely,

thought-provoking cultural resource that is the Isamu Noguchi California

Scenario. It would be such a shame if Costa Mesa, through lack of

foresight, failed to protect such a valuable asset for future

generations. We would be known far and wide as the city that allowed the

Noguchi garden to be destroyed.

Good leaders protect the community and the community’s assets.

Responsible leaders carefully scrutinize all development proposals. Those

who rubber-stamp developers’ wish lists are not being responsible to the

people who elected them.

I applaud Councilwoman Linda Dixon’s leadership on this issue. She is

doing exactly what the residents of her city elected her to do, protect

our interests and preserve and enhance the status of our city. I support

and thank the other council members who understand the value of the

Noguchi Garden to our city and who want to encourage responsible

development.

I met Rick Rogers when he was a candidate for City Council. He is a

very nice man, but I think the outcome of the election made it obvious

that the people of Costa Mesa do not support his point of view.

From the turnout at the recent public hearing regarding this issue and

the numerous people I’ve spoken with lately, I would have to conclude

that there is a lot of community support for preserving this special

treasure.

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* ROBIN LEFFLER is a Costa Mesa resident.