Community garden reseeding possible

Deirdre Newman

A proposed community garden on Hamilton Street will get its day in

the sun after the City Council agreed Monday to reconsider the

project.

The council voted 4 to 1 in favor of a rehearing after it was

rejected at the May 5 City Council meeting. Mayor Gary Monahan

opposed the rehearing.

The approval was a victory for Councilwoman Libby Cowan, who

supports the project and brought the request to the council.

Residents, however, are divided on the issue. Although the council

only considered the request for the rehearing Monday, many residents

couldn’t resist the opportunity to weigh in.

“Part of what makes Costa Mesa unique is its eclectic aspect,” Jim

Kerrins said. “The garden fits in with this perfectly.”

Opponents are concerned about the $71,000 price tag.

“I don’t feel taxpayers should be responsible for funding this,”

Beth Refrakus said. “I’d rather see this type of action come more

from the community.”

The city bought the site in 1975 with the idea of using it as some

type of park. In 1999, staff began exploring the site for

construction of a skateboard park.

Because of safety concerns of neighbors, the council has looked

into other options, including determining if there was any interest

from adjacent property owners in purchasing the property.

During the hearings for the skateboard park, city leaders decided

that a community garden would be best suited for the site, to

preserve open space and avoid the parking and safety concerns raised

by the skateboard park.

Forty-two plots were planned for the garden, and 40 gardeners had

expressed interest in them.

Although $75,000 had been budgeted in this year’s Capital

Improvement Program for the garden, Councilman Allan Mansoor took

issue with the $71,000 bid for construction because of the city’s

$4-million budget deficit.

The burden during a request for a rehearing is that the appellant

have new information. Planning Commissioner Katrina Foley reminded

the council that it had very limited information on the garden itself

when it rejected the bid for construction.

The city already operates a community garden on Del Mar Street.

Some residents who have plots there say another community garden

would provide more recreational opportunities for the city.

The loss of recreation suffered another blow with the closing of

Kona Lanes bowling alley last month.

“Not only is this a place for recreation, but it’s a place for

constructive recreation,” Mike Lodigar said. “As the area continues

to develop, it will become a jewel.”

Cowan said she is glad there will be more debate on the garden.

“At least it allows the community to understand -- if something is

rejected, they will have had an opportunity to listen to the debate,

and I think that’s the most important piece of that,” Cowan said. “I

think it’s something that can be done relatively inexpensively.”