Briefly in the news

Lolita Harper

The Cost Mesa Planning Commission will look at three possible

alternatives to a proposal by C.J. Segerstrom & Sons’ plans for Home

Ranch.

Dozens of concerned residents attended a public hearing regarding the

Home Ranch project at the commission’s Monday meeting.

Although a presentation was not made by C.J. Segerstrom officials,

many residents came to address concerns about the environmental report

prepared for the project.

In fact, so many people had comments, the staff voted to close the

public hearing and continue public comment to the next meeting, Aug. 27.

Staff was concerned about the amount of time it would take to respond in

writing -- something that is mandatory in the process -- to each public

inquiry, Commissioner Bruce Garlich said.

Traffic and pollution were among residents’ main concerns, said

Commissioner Eleanor Egan, who was appointed to the commission July 28.

Although the report shows all increases in traffic would be addressed

by the recommended traffic improvements, residents were still concerned

with the amount of pollution caused by the increase in cars, Egan said.

Garlich also recommended that the commission look at other uses of

land that C.J. Segerstrom plans to develop as campus-like corporate

offices. He will present three options, designed to lower traffic, at the

next meeting.