Judge orders limits on group home residents

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- An Orange County Superior Court judge decided this week

to restrict an Orange Avenue group home to no more than six residents per

house.

Costa Mesa alleged the home violated city codes that prohibit more

than six people from living in a residential service facility. Because

Coastal Recovery Living is run out of two homes -- at 1976 and 1978

Orange Ave. -- the total number of tenants will be 12.

The judge also ordered owners Robert and Tracy Tameny to pay for the

city’s court costs. The Tamenys could not be reached for comment Friday.

Councilman Gary Monahan said the ruling marked a victory for the city,

which has been trying for years to limit the number of residents at

Coastal Recovery Living LLC, also known as the Orange House.

“We won. It’s taken a long time, but the city has been successful,”

Monahan said.

More than a year ago, city officials dropped criminal charges against

the home but filed a civil lawsuit in its place, asking for damages and

an injunction to stop the Tamenys from operating the home.

Monahan said the group home did not fit in a residential neighborhood

next to a preschool and a church. Although the house is not being shut

down, the number of residents will at least be reduced, he said.

The house at 1976 Orange Ave. has eight bedrooms and the one at 1978

has four, Coldwell Banker employee Roger Davis said last year when the

homes were up for sale.

Orange House resident Paul Daoy said he shared a room with another man

for $110 per month.