COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

Lolita Harper

COUNSELING CENTER APPEAL

Councilwoman Karen Robinson has requested an appeal of the Planning

Commission’s approval for a conditional use permit for a counseling

center.

Planning commissioners approved the opening of a counseling center in

an industrial building at 2950 Airway Ave. Conditions were placed on the

facility, however, including a mandatory staff member to supervise

building and parking lot activities.

Discussions were heated about whether the counseling center should be

allowed to stay in the building on Airway Avenue.

People with businesses in the same building asked the commission not

to support the center, saying the clients were a nuisance. They said the

counseling center’s patrons were often drunk and urinated in the parking

lot. One owner suggested the commission require a security guard -- paid

for by the owner of the center -- to supervise the actions of the

clients.

Planning Commissioner Eleanor Egan agreed the center was a potential

problem and suggested the commission not approve the permit. Egan also

hoped other commercial landowners in the city would recognize the

business and not deny tenancy.

Chairwoman Katrina Foley argued that if the center were forced to move

out of the building, it could easily open in another commercial site,

without allowing the commission to place conditions on the business.

WHAT IS EXPECTED: The council is expected to continue the item to

Dec. 3.

U-HAUL HEARING

Eugene Chan, the owner of a storage facility on Newport Avenue, is

asking the City Council to rehear his request for U-Haul rentals at his

property.

On Oct. 15, council members upheld the Planning Commission’s decision

to deny a permit to rent six trucks at Chan’s storage facility at 2458

Newport Blvd.

Chan was not at the meeting because he said he was misinformed about

the starting time. Rhonda McClune, Chan’s authorized agent, was present.

Chan is asking the council to rehear his request at a time when he can

be present.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The council is expected to deny Chan’s request for

a rehearing.

FYI

What: City Council meeting

When: 5:30 p.m. today

Where: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Information: (714) 754-5123