Sounding Board -- Joel Faris

City activism seems to be in full swing. Residents of Costa Mesa are

speaking up for each other and initiating action that should bring

improvement throughout our city. Various activist groups are addressing

the City Council, networking through the Web and participating in

community events in an attempt to fix current problems and guide future

planning.

City activists, like the population as a whole, come from diverse

backgrounds and adhere to a range of political and social thought. The

one overriding principle we try to adhere to, however, is the building of

a solid future for Costa Mesa that challenges us in an attempt to reach

our full potential.

A recent editorial (“Westside improvers need to pick better battles,”

Feb. 3), however, chastised certain activists when they, in the writer’s

view, attacked Habitat for Humanity’s proposed project at 1925 Pomona

Ave. The editorial went on to say that “passions turned ugly and attacks

were made on undeserving targets.” The writer apparently took comments

made, grouped them together as one and used them to create a warped

picture in which activists are seen as vicious and careless in their

quest to control the destiny of the Westside.

It seems to me and to others who made comments to me that the writer

was either being unfair or lacked the drive to state the whole, unbiased

truth.

At a recent council meeting, Habitat for Humanity’s proposal to

convert apartments into condominiums was presented, questioned, discussed

and voted on. It followed the regular procedures. Activists, as well as

neighbors who usually do not participate in city affairs, questioned Mark

Korando, Habitat’s coordinator for this project, and presented him with

their concerns.

The issue I addressed dealt with the building of an additional

structure on the property, thus cutting down considerably on open space

for children. (The condos are being marketed to large families.) Without

open space, these children will undoubtedly be out on Pomona Avenue, a

stone’s throw from two liquor stores, a pawn shop, a soup kitchen and an

alley (not the ideal playground).

Councilwoman Karen Robinson shared similar concerns. Korando rebutted

by saying that the additional unit was necessary, and that was the end to

that discussion. At that point, I still supported the project.

The whole exchange was common; just about every project considerable

in size is challenged by someone or some group, with the end result

usually being better-planned projects. I would dread to think how much

worse things would be if the Home Ranch project went unchallenged. Also,

picture the nightmare 17th Street would be if the city got its way and

widened it.

Activists from throughout the city have fought and continue to fight

for what most residents and business there want: a street with a

village-like atmosphere that takes into consideration those who are most

impacted.

The history of planning in Costa Mesa has been at times a sad, twisted

joke. There are schools and homes adjacent to polluting industry, traffic

patterns that favor commuters from neighboring cities over Costa Mesa

residents, so many liquor stores along 19th Street that it could

justifiably be renamed Jack Daniel’s Avenue, homes next to freeways and

industry along the coastal bluffs, etc. I am sure others could add to the

list.

Two goals that are common among citywide activists are to correct past

mistakes when possible and to plan wisely for the future. While Habitat

is an incredibly worthy organization (its attributes are seemingly

endless), they also require some oversight. (Apparently this is their

first rehabilitation, as opposed to their usual practice of building

single-family, detached homes.

It is my opinion that they are making improvements to the city and

should be praised. The project could have been better, of course, but it

still remains an improvement. There are others who would disagree and say

that this kind of improvement is the wrong way to go. Those people have a

right to fight for an even better project, and it could be argued that we

would be better off for it; however, the council has made its decision,

and it may be time to focus energies elsewhere.

I hope the current trend continues and more and more people join the

fight in preserving what is good in Costa Mesa and arguing the point for

wiser planning. As the Westside continues to shape a vision for some

degree of redevelopment, and other areas of the city target specific

problems, I hope that vigilance will remain and that our leaders will

listen.

Of course, at times, not everyone will agree with every aspect of what

improvement really consists of; however, the democratic process is

amazing and some appreciation should be acknowledged for Costa Mesa

residents who support that process.

* JOEL FARIS is a Costa Mesa resident and potential candidate for City

Council.