Property might fit dealer to a Model T

Paul Clinton

Theodore Robins Ford is nearing closure on a deal to purchase land on

Harbor Boulevard as an expanded lot.

The veteran Costa Mesa auto retailer, which has been based in

Newport-Mesa since the 1920s, expects to wrap up an arduous 18-month

escrow process within the next 30 to 60 days, dealership President

Bob Robins said.

Robins is waiting for state environmental regulators to approve

the current owner’s plan to clean up petroleum contamination caused

by an former auto wash and gasoline station.

“Ideally, we would be using a portion of the back property for

excess inventory,” Robins said. “[We’re considering] developing the

front part for used vehicle sales.”

On July 23, Robins secured approval from the Planning Commission

to use the site for that purpose. Soon after, Robins entered escrow

on the 44,000-square-foot property, across the street from the

dealership at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Bay Street.

With the approval, Robins agreed to limit access to the property’s

rear on Charle Street to one driveway. Also, the Charle Street

entrance, in a residential neighborhood, can only be used between 8

a.m. and 4 p.m., city records show.

If Robins closes the deal on the property, he would fill a vacant

lot now sprouting weeds and grass. Robins declined to disclose

purchase terms of the deal, which will not be public until it is

filed with the county clerk upon close of escrow.

The Beacon Bay Auto Wash and El Chinaco restaurant used to occupy

the site. The auto wash also sold gasoline.

El Chinaco moved to 560 W. 19th St. about two years ago.

Patrick Shea, who owns and operates 12 other Beacon Bay locations

in Orange County, has promised to clean up the contaminated soil as a

condition of the sale, Robins said.

On Dec. 9, the Planning Commission granted Robins’ development

arm, Robins Properties, and Shea’s Beacon Bay Enterprises Inc. a

one-year extension of the auto-sales conditional use permit.

The vacant property is at 2059 Harbor Blvd.

Robins, Ford’s sole licensee in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, has

been at the current location since 1966. It He is one of only 14 Ford

dealers in Orange County.