City’s general plan named top in county

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- The city on Thursday received an Award of Merit for its

2000 general plan, one that city officials describe as a “vision for the

future of our community.”

The award, given annually by the Orange County Chapter of the American

Planning Assn., recognizes outstanding local planning projects.

Costa Mesa’s general plan is a 20-year master plan for the city, a

comprehensive document that provides a foundation for governing bodies

such as the Planning Commission and City Council to make decisions on

various development issues, Deputy City Manager Don Lamm said.

“We’re very proud and honored by this award,” he said. “Our citizens

should be happy to know that we have one of the finest plans for the

future and an excellent staff. It’s a very comprehensive and

well-thought-out plan -- a good 20-year vision we’re all working toward.”

Lamm said 18 cities in Orange County competed for the award. Costa

Mesa’s plan was drafted in 2000 after three years of work. It received

Planning Commission and City Council approval in 2001.

The awards committee, in a written statement, complimented the plan

for its “excellence of quantitative analysis, writing and ethics in the

planning process.”

The committee also recognized the plan as one that incorporates “the

community’s diverse evolution of residential neighborhoods, its regional

commercial influence, and its wide array of cultural, educational, social

and recreational activities.”

Planning Commission Chairwoman Katrina Foley said she believes the

plan won the award because it incorporated several categories specified

in state law as optional, issues such as growth management, open space

and recreational activities.

“Our general plan is also prepared in a way that’s easy for the

community to understand and follow,” said Foley, who has announced her

intention to run for a City Council seat in the fall.

The award is also a morale booster for the city and the Planning

Commission because it is a document that “dictates how we plan our

community,” Foley said.

Councilman Gary Monahan described the award as a “very big compliment

to our planning staff.”

“They put together the best plan,” he said. “It shows us that we can

trust the staff when it comes to providing council members with

information we need to make important decisions.”