COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Compiled by Lolita Harper

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council agreed Monday to proceed with the staff’s

recommendation to alleviate traffic problems on Newport Boulevard between

17th and 19th streets.

Officials were advised by staff that traffic problems on the busy

stretch through downtown can no longer be ignored. Staff recommended

starting the process to work with the community and with Caltrans on the

possibility of adding a northbound lane to Newport Boulevard between 17th

and 19th.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The City Council will form an ad hoc committee to collect data from

the community on the downtown traffic problems.

VOTE: 5-0 to go forward with staff recommendation

WHAT THEY SAID:

Councilwoman Linda Dixon said she wanted to ensure the community was

included and informed about the proposed changes to Newport Boulevard

before anything was approved.

“I just have a real problem going through with this before we’ve gone

to the community with it,” Dixon said.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council held a public hearing about the pre-zoning of

unincorporated islands proposed for annexation.

The council in April adopted a resolution to annex all remaining

unincorporated land in the city’s Eastside. In response, many residents

in those areas have expressed concern about becoming residents of Costa

Mesa.

Affected residents came to the meeting to reiterate their concern.

Mayor Libby Cowan said that at this point in the application process

concerns about annexation should be addressed to the Local Agency

Formation Commission. The council’s reason for the hearing was to get

community feedback about the preliminary zoning of their property, Cowan

said.

WHAT IT MEANS:

In light of concerns brought up at the hearing, the City Council will

continue the rezoning issue at the Sept. 17 meeting.

VOTE: 5-0 to continue the issue

WHAT THEY SAID:

Jessica Chang, a resident of one of the unincorporated areas proposed

for annexation, said she did not agree with Cowan that her property

values would not be affected.

“So, I bought a Lexus and now you’re telling me I have to get it

serviced at Toyota?” Chang said.

Cowan responded:

“Well, I drive an Avalon and I love it, so welcome to Costa Mesa.”

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council rejected a motion to screen a request from Hudson

Properties to put apartment buildings at 1901 Newport Blvd.

The Spanish-style building on the corner of 19th Street and Newport

Boulevard is on 7.1 acres and is occupied by a three-story office

building, but it has been vacant for the past several years. The site is

undergoing renovation.

Councilman Gary Monahan said the apartments would be too dense and too

high.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Hudson Properties will not be allowed to build dense apartment

buildings at the site.

VOTE: 3-2 to reject the screening request

WHAT WAS SAID:

Monahan said he wanted to stop the process before the developers

invested more resources into a project that will never happen.

“I don’t see apartments there, and I wouldn’t want to waste your time

on something that would be dead on arrival,” he said.

NEXT MEETING:

What: Regular Costa Mesa City Council Meeting

Where: Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20