INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some...

INSIDE CITY HALL

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

Planning Commission meeting Monday.

MODEL RAILROAD

Owls and purple needle grass threatened to derail plans for local

train enthusiasts to expand their model rail road tracks at Fairview

Park, but Planning Commissioners approved the expansion, as long as

tracks meet environmental standards.

The Planning Commission endorsed adding 2,250 feet to the Orange

County Model Engineers train ride with the condition that the train

enthusiasts work with state Department of Fish and Game officials to

devise a path that does not endanger a rare breed of owl.

The model railroad train ride currently spans about 8,800 feet in

a figure-eight in the northwest portion of the park.

The Orange County Model Engineers is a club of train enthusiasts

who voluntarily run the railroad at no cost to the city. Their

request to expand the ride required an amendment to the Fairview Park

master plan.

About 45,000 to 60,000 people ride the railroad per year, and

council members have called it a distinct attraction that makes

Fairview Park a special place to visit. The railroad also hosts

schools, parent-child groups, Scout troops, Cub packs, service clubs

and other private organizations.

WHAT IT MEANS

Railroad enthusiasts will devise an expansion plan that avoids a

specific area of the park, which has been protected by the Department

of Fish and Game.

SECOND STORY CONSTRUCTION

Planning Commissioners briskly approved a request for a

second-story remodel project, saying it was something easily handled

by planning staff that should have never come before them.

Two Eastside homeowners proposed to demolish the existing

single-family home on Westminster Avenue and replace it with a

four-bedroom, two-story home that they contend will enhance the

modest neighborhood. The city zoning administrator forwarded the

request to the Planning Commission instead of making a final

determination on his own.

Paul and Laura Steiner asked for approval of a two-story,

3,343-square-foot home that would have a den, guest room, bathroom,

living room, kitchen, dining room and garage on the first floor and

three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a den on the second.

Planners said the proposed house would sit in the midst of a

predominately one-story neighborhood and would be much larger than

the surrounding houses. However, three other two-story homes are in

the vicinity and the second-story of the proposed home are designed

to have the least effect on neighbors.

Unlike previous second-story additions, which have raised the ire

of residents, this project was unopposed by any audience member and

included a petition of 19 Westminster Avenue residents who were in

favor of it.

Paul Steiner said coming before the commission proved to be a

costly process, and Foley apologized for the inconvenience.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Steiners will be permitted to demolish the existing house and

start building a two-story home.

WHAT WAS SAID

“It seems we should stick with the steps in place, instead of

skipping, because sometimes it is not necessary to come to the

Planning Commission,” Foley said.

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper