ON THE AGENDA PARKS MASTER PLAN...

ON THE AGENDA

PARKS MASTER PLAN

The Planning Commission will take a look at a final parks and

recreation master plan tonight that lists a skate park as the No. 1

recreational need in the city.

Playing fields for children and adults, tot lots, playgrounds and

tennis courts are also issues that Costa Mesa residents feel strongly

about, according to the preliminary recreation master plan released

in October.

RJM Design Group Inc., based in San Juan Capistrano, released its

breakdown of the various recreation needs in Costa Mesa compiled from

hours of residents’ input, telephone surveys, interviews and analysis

of recreation trends, demands and current facilities.

Parks and recreation commissioners endorsed a recreation master

plan, while adding their own comments and suggestions and created a

Skateboard Park Planning Team to conduct more research on a skate

park.

Planning commissioners will give a similar review and provide

their own recommendations.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Commissioners are expected to approve the report.

1901 NEWPORT INPUT

Planning commissioners will collect public input tonight about

probable plans for 1901 Newport -- the striking Spanish-style

building in the heart of downtown -- including the effects of putting

homes on the property.

A mandatory report that gauges the effects of proposed

developments on the neighborhood and environment -- formally known as

the Draft Environmental Impact Report -- is now available for public

review at City Hall and Costa Mesa libraries.

The Planning Commission invited resident’s comments, as part of

the required 45-day review period. That period ended on Jan. 10,

according to a staff report. Planners say they expect the official

public hearings on the actual project to begin in February.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect some comments about the proposed multi-unit housing that

has been suggested for the northwest portion of the building formerly

known as Pacific Savings Plaza.

SPLIT OF PINK HOUSE LOT

Chad Ware, owner of the unusually large lot where the infamous Old

Pink House once stood, is asking for the parcel to be divided so he

can sell each one off.

The Planning Commission will review Ware’s request to divide the

existing 16,625-square-foot lot into one 10,605-square-foot lot --

where the newly renovated Old Pink House sits -- and another

6,020-square-foot lot.

Ware, who bought the once-dilapidated house on the corner of

Orange Avenue and Camellia Lane when it was close to being declared a

public nuisance, has decided to abandon his yearlong labor of love

for another renovation project, he said.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Commissioners are expected to approve the parcel division.

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper