Council set for spin control

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The city’s planning department has done a 180-degree

turn, leaving property owner Michael Schrock spinning.

Earlier this summer, Schrock applied for a petition to rezone an

18,000-square-foot lot -- which he purchased for $800,000 -- in order to

build two more houses behind the existing two-story house, he said.

The Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 on Aug. 27 to recommend the

rezoning application to the City Council based on advice from the city’s

planning department.

The City Council will review the issue tonight.

Under current residential zoning standards, Schrock could have

rearranged the property lines and built all three houses that satisfied

an R-1 zone, Planning Commissioner Bruce Garlich said after recommending

the project earlier this month.

But the planning department recommended that Schrock apply for

rezoning in order to create a better product, Garlich said.

Now the same department is recommending denial of the project, which

is in the 200 block of Cecil Place.

“We never would have submitted for a rezone if the staff hadn’t

recommended it to us,” a shocked Schrock said. “We’re doing everything

they’ve asked us to and now they turn around and deny approval. It just

doesn’t make any sense.”

But there’s no backing out now, Schrock continued. Escrow on the

property has closed and he and his wife plan to move into the existing

house next month.

“We’re going to be in a world of hurt financially if this thing isn’t

approved,’ Schrock said.

According to a staff report, Schrock’s plans did not accurately

portray where two open parking spaces for each unit would be located.

After further review, staff has determined there would not be enough room

for the required parking spaces, the report showed.

Public concern was also cited as a reason for the planning

department’s about-face.

The report compared the 24 people who spoke in opposition to the

project at the Planning Commission meeting to the eight who spoke in

favor. It also noted 144 people have written letters or signed a petition

against the development and only 29 support the project.

Residents opposing the project also hired an attorney.

Shrock’s future neighbor, Russel O’Hare, whose fence backs up to the

massive property, is one of the individuals who petitioned the city to

deny approval.

O’Hare said the houses would crowd the neighborhood and cheapen its

character. He said he is resentful of developers who buy property on the

Eastside only to build multiunit housing to make a quick buck.

“I want to stop these greedy builders from subdividing all these lots,

making a profit and then pretending they’re one of us,” O’Hare said.

But Councilman Gary Monahan disagrees with O’Hare’s portrayal of

Schrock. Monahan said the houses will probably sell for $500,000, raise

property values and be built on lots larger than most of those who are

complaining live on.

“I’d love to be able to afford one of those new houses he’s going to

build and I’m sure those neighbors would too,” Monahan said.

The councilman said he is “sick to his stomach over the whole

process.” Monahan said he can’t remember another time staff has revoked

its own recommendation. He will try to continue the item to give both

sides the opportunity to come to a reasonable conclusion.

“This thing is getting bigger and bigger by the minute. The project

isn’t bad but everything around it is like a big soap opera,” Monahan

said.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .