COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

SOBER-LIVING CERTIFICATION

The City Council will consider adding one more weapon in its limited

arsenal against some problematic sober-living homes tonight as council

members review a county program designed to monitor the clean-living

environments.

The county certification program -- four years in the making -- was

developed by a multi-juristictional task force in hopes that it will help

officials more closely monitor sober-living facilities.

The Board of Supervisors approved the Orange County Adult Alcohol and

Drug Sober Living Facilities Certification Process in December and it is

scheduled to take place in October, officials said.

Some of the recommended guidelines outlined in the county’s program

include specific requirements regarding staff, admission, intake,

building and grounds, monitoring, review and a “good neighbor” policy.

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission wholeheartedly endorsed the

guidelines, saying the program would benefit everyone involved.

What to expect:

The city has taken an aggressive stance against a number of group

homes it viewed as problematic and the council is expected to echo that

sentiment by overwhelming supporting the certification program.

AVIEMORE TERRACE VIEWS

The proposed two-story addition on Aviemore Terrace that sparked

widespread neighborhood opposition, a possible view ordinance and

subsequent infighting among city leaders will come before the City

Council tonight for another go around.

John Clark, the owner of a home in the 1100 block of Aviemore Terrace,

has been asking to build a second-floor master suite and expand the

ground floor for a breakfast nook, kitchen and study and his request

keeps getting kicked from government entity to government entity.

In February, the city zoning administrator approved the addition of

second story to a home on Aviemore Terrace, as well as the expansion of

the ground floor. According to a staff report, the proposed change

required a review because it called for a 1,154-square-foot master

bedroom suite on the top floor and the city needed to ensure the “remodel

[was] compatible with its neighborhood.”

Councilman Chris Steel appealed the zoning administrator’s decision

and brought it in front of the City Council. Council members voted to

transfer it to the Planning Commission. Planning commissioners

reluctantly approved the addition -- saying there was no city code

prohibiting it -- and also asked planning staff to look into the

possibility of an ordinance that would protect homeowners views.

Councilman Gary Monahan appealed the commission’s action to review a

“view ordinance,” saying the commission overstepped its bounds as an

advisory committee. Furthermore, Steel also appealed the commission’s

general approval of the project, which, once again, brings the

second-story addition on Aviemore Terrace before the council.

What to expect:

A large crowd of residents pleading for officials to save their ocean

views. The council’s action, at this point, is unpredictable. The only

consistent thing about this issue is the fact that no one seems to be

able to agree.

RAYMOND AVENUE CLOSURE

The council will review a proposal to convert a portion of Raymond

Avenue to a one-way street to minimize the negative effects of

cut-through traffic on the Eastside.

City traffic officials recommend the council approve a one-way street

in the southbound direction between Cabrillo Street and 17th Place.

Because of an increase in commercial use on 17th Street -- which runs

parallel to Cabrillo and 17th Place -- many cars have been using Raymond

Avenue and Cabrillo street to avoid busy traffic spots on the main

thoroughfare, a staff report outlined.

Residents on Cabrillo have complained about the number of cars

traveling down their otherwise quiet residential street and asked to city

to create a change. The one-way designation would allow traffic from the

residential portion of the Eastside to travel south on Raymond to access

the commercial portion of 17th Street but would not permit returning

traffic beyond 17th Place, the report read.

The report also suggested speed “humps” -- smaller version of speed

bumps -- for 17th Place to reduce speed.

What to expect:

The council is expected to approve the one-way street and

corresponding speed “humps.”

FYI

* WHO: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. tonight

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

* INFORMATION: (714) 754-5223