Here are some of the decisions...

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

Planning Commission on Monday.

CARSMETICS

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the conversion a

former framing shop on Harbor Boulevard to accommodate a new business

that specializes in touch-up car paint jobs .

The owners of 2861 Harbor Blvd. will introduce Costa Mesa to

Carsmetics, a specialty auto painting business that repairs minor

dents and scratches. The business does not do major collision work, a

staff report shows.

Automotive businesses surround the building in question, except

for apartment buildings to the rear. A parking lot and alley separate

the auto shop from homes and, therefore, planners said it would not

negatively affect them, a staff report shows.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Carsmetics will be permitted to perform minor touch-up repairs

provided that no major bodywork, frame straightening or mechanical

repairs are done at the site.

WOOFERS AND TWEETERS

Costa Mesa Courtyards Center will have a new tenant in Tweeter

Home Entertainment Group as the commission unanimously approved the

car installation business for the old Crown Books site.

Tweeter Home Entertainment Group sells home and car stereo systems

and requested permission to also install the car stereos from the

9,505-square-foot site in the courtyard. Commissioners approved a new

service bay to be built in the rear of the store, for the purpose of

stereo installation.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The electronic store will be permitted to install car stereos,

provided none are done after 7 p.m., to ensure neighbors’ peace and

quiet.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Commissioners unanimously endorsed the introduction of a

nationwide energy-saving program to the city to power up their

efforts to begin new conservation techniques.

Planning commissioners have outlined energy conservation as one of

their chief goals and have formally recommended the City Council pass

a law that encourages new city buildings to take part in the

Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program. Private

buildings would also be encouraged to take part but participation

would not be mandatory.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The City Council will now consider whether the city should take

part in the Energy Star program.

-- Compiled by

Lolita Harper