Emulex complex approved

Lolita Harper

Emulex officials gained unanimous City Council endorsement Monday

night for plans that will ultimately allow them to cultivate

high-tech components on a portion of the lima bean fields that

produced a Segerstrom family dynasty.

Emulex, which specializes in components that allow computers to

store growing amounts of data, presented its master plan for a

campus-like corporate command center on the northwest portion of the

Home Ranch site.

The company had outgrown its current home at Harbor Gateway and,

in April, solidified its move to the Segerstrom-owned land bordered

by Susan Street, Harbor Boulevard and South Coast Drive.

While the high-tech Emulex product varies greatly from the

agricultural harvest once grown at the site, many expect the type of

growth and success that the site is famous for producing.

Emulex officials said the move of their corporate headquarters

from Harbor Gateway to the Home Ranch site will allow the booming

company to house its engineers and laboratories in one location,

instead of being spread out over four buildings.

Council members said they were thrilled that the city could offer

Emulex a location for adequate expansion. Emulex has always been a

wonderful corporate citizen and a gem for the city, they said.

“I think this is a spectacular structure, and will be another

landmark for Costa Mesa,” Mayor Linda Dixon said.

In addition to the company’s revenue growth, officials estimate

the new site will allow them to increase their workforce, ultimately

bringing more high-level jobs to the city.

Designs propose to house these employees in three two-story

buildings, totaling 181,735 square feet, with various landscaped

walkways through the campus-like setting, a staff report details.

Although the Home Ranch project garnered a slue of public outcry

when the 93-acre development was considered for approval last year,

opposition was nonexistent Monday.

Other major components of the Home Ranch project include a

flagship Ikea store, 143 new homes and a mix of retail and office

space.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.