COSTA MESA Planning Commission adopts possible...

COSTA MESA

Planning Commission adopts possible redevelopment zone

The Planning Commission unanimously approved initial boundaries

for a 434-acre redevelopment zone roughly bordered by 15th Street,

Whittier Avenue and East 19th Street.

Independent consultants established the preliminary boundaries

after an initial study of the area. If the boundaries are approved by

the Redevelopment Agency on Feb. 10, the consultants will embark on

an in-depth, parcel-by-parcel assessment of the about 627 properties

in the zone to see which ones are blighted and which need to be

included to ensure a contiguous redevelopment.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.

NEWPORT BEACH

Back Bay boardwalk proposal will be studied

A scientific study of the Back Bay will determine whether a wooden

boardwalk should be built to carry visitors through the Back Bay to

prevent them from damaging the delicate environment. The boardwalk,

if built, would connect with existing legal trails on the bluffs to

allow pedestrians to get close to the water.

A request by a new pizza parlor to deliver beer and wine along

with food was denied by the City Council. Citing concerns that the

business might create easier access for minors to alcohol, council

members approved every facet of the restaurant’s permit request

except for beer and wine deliveries.

As attorneys begin the complicated process of trying to trace

Newport Coast tax money, they now realize that statutes of

limitations could leave their hands tied. City officials are looking

into how the county spent millions in assessment district taxes.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.

POLITICS

Locals praise Bush’s

State of the Union

Local politicos turned out to area watering holes Tuesday evening

for President Bush’s historic State of the Union speech.

Christine Parker, a registered Democrat who recently moved to

Costa Mesa from Massachusetts, said she was impressed with Bush’s

show of leadership, even if she is opposed to a war with Iraq.

“If he’s going to lead us into war, we couldn’t find a better

leader,” said Parker, 49.

As Bush steps up the drumbeat of war, other Republicans are

falling in line. The Young Republicans of Orange County also

scheduled a “support our troops” rally, which came off Saturday. It

was a response to antiwar protests near South Coast Plaza, near

Bristol Street and Anton Boulevard.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Gang-rape suspects must stand trial, judge rules

Three teens accused of gang-raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl in a Corona del Mar home last July must stand trial, a judge ruled on

Wednesday.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Everett Dickey said sufficient

evidence exists to order Gregory Haidl, 17, and Kyle Nachreiner and

Keith Spann, both 18, to trial. The judge watched a 20-minute video

tape the teens reportedly made that captured the incident, and heard

testimony from police detectives as well as arguments from the

prosecutor and seven defense attorneys representing the boys.

The three Inland Valley teens -- all 17 at the time -- face 24

counts because Dickey dismissed one count of digital penetration

against each defendant. Haidl, son of Orange County Assistant Sheriff

Don Haidl, and Nachreiner face additional enhancements for allegedly

inflicting great bodily injury to the victim and using a deadly

weapon -- in this case -- a pool cue, to penetrate her.

As a result, the two face a maximum of 104 years to life while

Spann faces up to 154 years in prison. Haidl and Nachreiner face life

sentences because they “personally” used the cue. The three Rancho

Cucamonga High School students will be tried as adults for the July 6

incident that reportedly happened in Don Haidl’s Corona del Mar home.

The boys are free on $100,000 bail each and are scheduled to be

arraigned in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on Feb. 11.

In other news, a 50-year-old man died after firefighters rescued

him from his burning apartment Monday morning, officials said. Peter

Schwartz of Costa Mesa was pronounced dead at Hoag Hospital, Orange

County Coroner officials said. An autopsy was performed, but

officials say they still do not know the cause of death. Toxicology

reports will now be performed, but results may take up to six weeks.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.