ON THE AGENDA

CONVERSION OF APARTMENTS INTO COMMERCIAL USE

On behalf of South Coast R.E. Investments, the applicant, The Regents

Group, wants to convert an apartment building at 248 Victoria St. into a

commercial building.

The property has been zoned commercial since the building was built in

1956, but residential uses were allowed at the site. Later, the city

outlawed the apartments, which have been vacant since 1996.

What to expect: City staff has recommended 16 parking spots, reduced

from 24, with the addition of three compact parking spots. Also, the

staff has added a modification to allow a 1-foot-by-3-inch trash bin to

be built in front of the building.

GOLD COAST COUNSELING CENTER

Bruce H. Corzine, the owner and applicant, wants to legalize

counseling and instructional services for drug and alcohol abuse within

an existing industrial building at 2950 Airway Ave.

Though the 2,239-square-foot suite hosted counseling services since

1978, it wasn’t discovered until recently that there are no records

permitting such a use.

What to expect: Staff has recommended the commission adopt a

resolution subject to conditions for the center that staff feels most

resembles a trade or vocational school. Gold Coast Counseling is licensed

by the state to provide counseling services for drug and alcohol abuse.

Staff has visited the site and doesn’t anticipate any parking problems as

a result of the center, contrary to a neighboring tenant’s concerns.

CHEVRON GAS STATION

Applicant Andrea Fiscus of G&M; Oil wants to convert a

1,402-square-foot photo processing business into a convenience store at

the existing Chevron station at 195 E. 17th St.

What to expect: Staff recommends the commission allow the conversion.

Sales of alcoholic beverages would not be permitted at the store because

the closest residences are 300 feet away. The existing cashier pay booth

would be removed, but the gas pumps and canopy would remain unchanged.

FYI

* WHO: Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive