COSTA MESA PLANNING COMMISSION WRAP-UP

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper

Here are some of the decisions coming out of the Costa Mesa Planning

Commission meeting on Monday.

FARM SPORTS COMPLEX

WHAT HAPPENED:

Planning commissioners postponed a decision about common field

scheduling practices in regard to the Farm Sports complex until the full

panel of officials were present at a meeting.

Three commissioners were present at Monday’s meeting, with Chairwoman

Katrina Foley and Commissioner Walt Davenport absent.

Recreation Department officials had asked that the commission review

the practices, which were questioned by some soccer parents, to ensure

they were in line with the original conditions imposed by the City

Council when the facility opened.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Planning Commission will review the issue at the July 22 meeting.

Vote: 3 to 0, to postpone the decision

EASTSIDE SUBDIVISION

Commissioners unanimously approved an Eastside homeowner’s request

Monday to split in half a 10,000-square-foot lot in a low-density

residential area.

City code requires a minimum of a 6,000-square-foot lot for a

subdivision, but planning staff recommended approval because of special

circumstances.

Michael Keeler, the owner of 2258 Orange Ave., requested the

subdivision in 1998 and it was granted. Keeler then had two years to get

a parcel map for the divided property but was unable to do so because of

problems stemming from a death in the family, a staff report shows. He

asked for a year extension, and it was granted, along with another

approval of the subdivision for two 5,000-square-foot lots.

Keeler was still unable to process his request in time because of the

delays in the probate process, the family’s agent explained.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Keeler has permission to split the lot.

Vote: 3 to 0, to approve the lot split.

ARTIST’S STUDIO

A Westside property owner will wait another two weeks before a

decision is made about his request to forgo a potential parking space to

build a pool and a two-story garage that includes a recreation room and

an artist loft upstairs.

Kirk Norton, the owner of 439 Flower St., initially spoke with

planning staffers about the additions to his property and was asked to

submit alternative designs.

Commissioners postponed any action on the existing designs to allow

Norton a chance to submit something feasible.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Norton will return to the commission with revised plans for his

property.

Vote: 3 to 0 to postpone the decision

NEXT MEETING

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. July 22

WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

INFORMATION: (714) 754-5245