This housing is too condo-luded

The plans for mega-condo development at 1901 Newport have many people

wondering whose neighborhood is next for a jumbo development

requiring a general plan or zoning amendment.

Our general plan has a growth philosophy built into it that is

designed to manage development so that our streets are not overly

congested and our intersections continue to flow. Traffic is managed

by managing growth. Growth is managed by zoning. Zoning limits the

building density.

Costa Mesa has a good plan for development. Currently, anywhere

south of the freeway, the maximum residential density allowed is 20

units per acre, with only a few designated high-density zones. If the

developer gets the City Council to give him what he wants, he will

rezone the parking lot of his commercial building to residential and

build 161 condominium units in a four-story building. This will

create a density of 45 units per acre, more than twice the maximum

currently allowed. All the open land will be covered with

condominiums and a five (let me repeat) a five-story parking garage.

The residents of Costa Mesa have a vision of what kind of density

should be allowed in our city. Big zoning and general plan changes

like this make us nervous. Residents have a legitimate expectation

that the future development of Costa Mesa be based on what is allowed

by the zoning and general plan.

This “ain’t” happening! This is so far from Costa Mesa’s general

plan that it is like a bait and switch situation where shoppers

encounter unscrupulous merchants. They advertise one thing, but try

to sell you another.

People who want such intense urban density can move to Los

Angeles, Santa Monica or anywhere in the world where this has already

happened. So much for the quality of life in Costa Mesa.

Not every place in the county has to be heavily urbanized. Some

places such as Costa Mesa can, and should, remain community friendly.

High-density high rises do not promote community. Costa Mesa does

need more housing, but why put all in one location? Why do our

elected officials and staff think they need to fix the problem with

one project, which will turn a suburban community into an urban

nightmare? Costa Mesa does need more housing, but we need to provide

it without concentrating it in four and five-story towers at one of

the most congested intersections in the county.

When people invest their lives and capital in a home, they choose

a city and community with characteristics that they like. They want a

sense of security that these characteristics will remain intact as

the city develops. It is not fair to change the rules in the middle

of the process with no warning and no community input.

PHYLLIS ATKINSON

Costa Mesa

I cannot believe our City Council is allowing the development of

1901 Newport Blvd., which will result in an increase four times the

building mass currently on the property. It was approved by our

wonderful City Council on April 14. Thank goodness for community

organization Costa Mesa Citizens for Responsible Growth, which

appealed the action and succeeded in overturning the City Council

approval. On July 7, the City Council will again consider approving

this mammoth zoning and General Plan change for 1901 Newport Blvd.

This means the mega-development will cover the existing parking lot

of the former Pacific Federal office building with 161 condominiums -- in four-story towers -- plus a five-story parking structure! This

increase in density will contribute to ongoing pressure to build the

19th Street Bridge.

Is this the future we want for Costa Mesa?

KAREN VOIGHT

Costa Mesa

As a resident and homeowner in Costa Mesa, I’m deeply concerned

about members of our City Council considering approval for zoning and

general plan changes in order to accommodate a mammoth project at

1901 Newport Blvd. The development, as currently proposed, would

consist of 161 condominiums in four-story towers, plus a five-story

parking structure.

It would also create a residential density of 45 units per acre.

This is more than twice the maximum of 20 units per acre currently

allowed south of the freeway. I’m not opposed to sensible

development, but in this instance, the development as proposed

compromises our quality of life as residents of Costa Mesa. Sensible

development is designed to be harmonious with the community. On the

contrary, this project would literally shadow the front yards of the

one-story homes across the street.

If approved, this project would set a horrible precedent to our

quality of life and it is not the future we want as residents of

Costa Mesa. We should urge the City Council to deny or reduce the

project’s proposed density.

EDWARD MAZZARELLA

Costa Mesa