Q&A; -- Costa Mesa United

Lolita Harper

1. What is the main goal of Costa Mesa United?

A. Costa Mesa United is a group of Costa Mesa citizens from all areas

of the city that support the completion of the Home Ranch project because

it benefits our community as a whole. We are residents who have chosen to

make our homes, to raise our families, do business, and to participate in

ensuring the longevity and prosperity of our city. We care about the

future of Costa Mesa and believe Home Ranch is important to maintaining

the quality of life we’ve all come to expect.

2. Why should the community support the proposed Home Ranch project?

A. Home Ranch will bring:

* $31 million additional revenue to our city over 20 years;

* $1.2 million annually in increased property tax income for schools;

* 1,500 quality jobs in a time when jobs of any quality may be very

hard to come by -- this number came from the fiscal report done by a

consultant;

* greater economic opportunity for young people buying homes;

* local employment;

* a long-term Costa Mesa property owner who listened to community

concerns, met with homeowner groups and responded with conditions right

for our city;

* owner-occupied residential;

* low-rise buildings within existing height limits;

* replacement of warehouse/manufacturing with office and higher-paying

jobs.

3. The project calls for an increase in the number of allowed daily

trips to the site. Why should residents believe traffic will not be a

problem?

A. Any development increases traffic. The real question is how to get

the maximum positive benefit for the community from the additional

traffic and require the developer to mitigate and pay for the effects.

Home Ranch pays $11.96 million in traffic improvements -- $8.46 million

immediately;

* improvements outside the project -- the entire city benefits;

* benefits the community and city identified -- priority

intersections: Harbor and Adams, Harbor and South Coast, Harbor and

Sunflower, Bristol and Baker, Fairview bridge widening;

* $3.5 million for new Susan Street offramp -- taking existing and new

traffic off local streets.

4. Developers are requesting changes to the city’s general plan to

accommodate the project. Why are plans for a flagship Ikea furniture

store and office space better for residents than industrial use?

A. The current general plan is 10 years old -- we don’t live in a

static community. Ikea will generate $1.7 million annually in increased

sales tax revenue for our city, of which $5 million is guaranteed during

the first five years. Office space provides for high-paying professional

jobs instead of lower-paying warehouse/manufacturing jobs.

Warehousing/manufacturing creates 535 diesel trucks per day.

5. If the City Council does not support the current project, what

happens next?

A. We hesitate to speculate as to what the City Council will do. They

are our elected officials, and we have confidence in their ability to

make the right decisions.

6. Any other thoughts?

A. Home Ranch is a project by the Segerstrom family. Everything

they’ve done in the city has had a positive connotation and been in the

best interest of the city. Everything they’re involved with is the

highest quality. We’re proud to have them in our city. They have a

personal interest in the appearance of the project and its benefits to

the community.

Home Ranch brings:

* benefits to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District;

* $1.2 million annually in increased property tax dollars;

* citywide traffic improvements, $11.96 million;

* fiscal benefits, $31 million in revenue over 20 years.