Mailbag - June 10, 2001

This is regarding Costa Mesa home lot sizes (“City upholds plans to

replace center with homes,” June 6).

The minimum lot size is 3,000 square feet, with an average lot size of

3,500 square feet, throughout the El Camino homes project by El Camino

Partners. I think that’s horrible.

I live in Mesa Verde, where lot sizes are 8,000 to 10,000 square feet,

which is decent.

What we really need is larger, not smaller, lots on which our kids can

run around. We have a young family, and if anyone ever wanted to have a

pool, the lot wouldn’t be large enough to build one.

I think smaller lots, which result in people living so close together

that your neighbors could reach out and borrow cereal in the morning if

they needed to at the kitchen window, are really too tight for

residences.

The new development on Adams Avenue at Harbor Boulevard, across the

street from the post office, is [built] too close and there’s no lot.

There are no yards, front or back. I’ve been in those models. So I think

smaller is not better.

DONNA SWIFT

Costa Mesa

Koll Center a good test of Greenlight

Koll Development’s plan to test Greenlight in its effort to build out

Koll Center is a step in the right direction (“Koll ready to become first

Greenlight test,” June 1).

The Newport Beach city planners’ approval of the project is correct.

I hope the voters on the referendum approve the project. I believe the

thrust of Greenlight is to maintain the quality of life in and near

residential areas, and maintain reasonable traffic flows everywhere.

Koll’s project will benefit Newport Beach and is located in the

appropriate location.

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach

Koll project would make traffic worse

I am vehemently against Koll Center’s proposed 250,000-square-foot

expansion near MacArthur Boulevard and Jamboree Road.

It will make traffic, which is now bad enough, even worse. And the

impact will not be “very little,” but very big.

EVA SACHS

Newport Beach

City officials must get priorities right

Regarding Rick Rogers’ “Community commentary -- Council losing touch

on affordable housing in Costa Mesa” (June 5), I am also a resident of

Costa Mesa.

I continue to reside here because it satisfies my needs, or perhaps I

am just a creature of habit. The thing we must face is this is still Goat

Hill and will be until we put in place some city leaders who are

dedicated enough to do the job they were put there to do.

As an example, the taxes I pay provide for a bark park, but when I

inquire about repairing the streets and potholes, which of course are

hazards, there’s not always a response. My impression is that this is the

responsibility of our city fathers, who should assume the fault.

Am I correct? The leaders should be made aware: first things first.

Fix the streets, then spend money on frivolous items.

LEE HINSON

Costa Mesa

Thanks for all the wonderful coverage

I want to tell you, you guys have done such a marvelous job at your

paper.

The Westside story -- I could put it to music -- and also this Pilot

Cup series that we just had for all the children was a great success. My

grandson played in it and I was so proud.

You folks have done a great job. I just want to compliment you.

GINO BOERO

Costa Mesa

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gino Boero has lived in both Newport Beach and Costa

Mesa since 1937.