Project revision converts the right crew

Deirdre Newman

Developers tweaked plans for a controversial project slated for the

former Calvary Church Newport Mesa site, winning over objectors and

gaining Planning Commission approval on Monday.

The Olson Co. modified the project it has planned for the corner

of 23rd Street and Orange Avenue, reducing the density of the

single-family housing project by one home and adding open space.

Some of the staunchest opponents were members of the Brandywyne

Homeowners’ Assn., adjacent to the project. While some members say

they are not opposed to the current incarnation of the project, they

still have some concerns.

“The real problem is [the city has] got to amend the general plan

again,” Brandywyne homeowner Dee Storme said. “The in-fill property

they’re doing will add more traffic to the area. What we’re primarily

concerned about is they want to tear down the wall of our condominium

and build a new one. You don’t do that for altruistic reasons.”

Planning staff members originally recommended the project be

denied because of concerns with the crowded site design and the

isolated location of the tot lot. The commission was set to consider

the issue on April 12, but continued it to give the developer time to

accommodate residents’ concerns.

Olson Co. representatives could not be reached for comment.

The Olson Co. reduced the number of units from 26 to 25, increased

the amount of open space and increased the separation between some of

the units. It also agreed to enhance the 23rd Street entry with

decorative block walls and dense landscaping and set back the first

two houses on either side of the south end of the private drive to

provide the appearance of more spaciousness.

One opponent-turned-supporter was former Councilwoman Heather

Somers, who lives on the Eastside. While she said she is still

opposed to this type of in-fill project, the Olson Co.’s commitment

to alleviate the community’s concerns won her over.

“I think the developer went that extra mile to try and address the

community’s desire and I think they really measured up very well,”

Somers said.

Tim Celek, pastor of The Crossing Church, formerly known as

Calvary Church Newport Mesa, said the church is selling the property

to the Olson Co. The church’s headquarters moved from the Eastside

location to a larger, state-of-the-art facility on Newport Boulevard

in October 2002.

Celek said he was not heavily involved in the development process,

but is confident the end result will be well-received.

“They’ve worked quite extensively with the city to put a product

there that would be appealing and desirable to the community,” Celek

said.

Because of lingering opposition to the project, Planning

Commission Chairman Bruce Garlich said an appeal to the City Council

is likely.

“A number of neighborhood residents are against anything [there],”

Garlich said. “I don’t know what kind of density they would like to

see around there. It’s 26% below the allowable density the general

plan would allow, but some folks still don’t think it’s the right

thing for their neighborhood.”

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

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