Commissioners approve dividing Cecil Place lots

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The owner of an usually large Eastside lot won a partial

victory Monday night as the Planning Commission unanimously approved a

two-parcel division despite the outcry of a dozen neighbors.

Planning commissioners voted to allow property owner Michael Schrock

to divide his 18,889-square-foot lot into two parcels. A

7,792-square-foot parcel will be located immediately behind an

11,097-square-foot parcel that faces the 200 block of Cecil Place and

houses an existing two-story home.

As a condition of approval, Schrock had to agree to not allow any

other “livable units” to be built on either property, thus limiting

further density on the two large lots.

The decision was a “compromise” to previous Schrock proposals to

divide the lot into three parcels and build two additional two homes -- a

suggestion that prompted harsh criticism from neighbors and the City

Council.

Planning commissioners each supported the project, saying the decision

to reduce the density from three to two was responsible and responsive to

the community.

“I feel that Mr. Schrock has jumped through several hoops and this is

the best compromise,” Commissioner Bill Perkins said.

Schrock and his business partner Fritz Howser have gone in circles

with planning staff, the Planning Commission, the City Council and

neighbors, altering their proposed project according to various

recommendations. A rezoning permit was ultimately denied, and the

developers chose the option to subdivide the large lot into three and

then conceded to two.

Monday was the sixth time in six months Schrock presented some sort of

alternative for his property.

Each time, an organized and persistent group of residents voiced their

disapproval of each project. The same held true at Monday’s meeting.

Neighbors’ major concern was the proposed development wouldbe

incompatible with the surrounding community. About a dozen residents

urged the Planning Commission to deny any plans that would put a home

behind another home, saying the majority of the neighborhood was

one-story houses on large, residential lots.

Neighbor Marty Bradbury said he was pleased that the number of houses

was reduced but was still concerned the additional house would be “in the

backyard.”

“I don’t think anybody’s position has changed no matter how many

houses you are talking about,” he said. “We are vastly opposed to putting

a house behind a house.”

Bradbury supported a planning staff alternative that calls for

demolition of the existing house, dividing the lot in two and building

new houses that both front the street.

Schrock said it was not an option to tear down his home. He and his

family have spent $100,000 and countless hours renovating the old ranch

house and they are moving in Saturday.

Planning Commissioner Bill Davenport said it was not feasible to tear

down the existing home, regardless of Schrock’s investment.

“I don’t think it makes any sense to tear down a house of that size or

that age,” Davenport said.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Katrina Foley agreed and hoped the

neighbors would grow to accept the “quality project.”

“I believe as time passes this lot will be . . . valued by the

neighborhood as something that will bring your property values up,” Foley

said.

The City Council still has to approve the project.