What’s the most important issue facing the...

What’s the most important issue facing the city?

I think the major issue at this point is land

use/development/zoning. What we do concerning this has a trickle-down

effect. It affects the whole city and for a very long time. We ought

not to allow overdevelopment. We should encourage, where and when

possible, single-family housing. When multi-family housing is called

for, we should require the maximum in parking spaces and likewise for

commercial projects. Parking, as well as traffic, has become a major

problem in this city. Also, many neighborhoods are losing their

character due to “super-sizing” new housing and remodels. We should

encourage and obtain open space when financially feasible. It may be

time to review the general plan, because we seem to be changing it

piecemeal in it current form. All this affects the city financially,

too, which I think is a very close-second issue.

What do you think of the city’s joint-use agreement with the

schools for use of playing fields?

I think the agreement is good in principle. However, it is

apparent that both parties need a clearer understanding, or at least

a refreshing, of what is required of each. This will help alleviate

overzealous enforcement and scapegoats. There are apparently some ad

hoc meetings taking place that should be open to the public. It will

be informative to know what the recommendations and results are.

Additionally, it has been indicated that the fields at Costa Mesa’s

high schools are in much poorer condition than the ones in Newport

Beach. This is something that should be addressed.

What would be the most effective way to improve the Westside?

Probably the most effective immediate improvement would be

infrastructure improvements. Many residents on the Westside complain

their streets are terrible compared to other parts of the city.

Granted, repairs and landscaping are taking place, and more are

planned for 19th Street, but more needs to be done in the

neighborhoods. Subpar housing should be looked at for code

violations, and some of the shopping centers need face-lifts. Perhaps

low-interest loans would help, but private investment should be

encouraged first. A zoning overlay may be worth considering, but any

new development would have to recognize the preexisting rights of

those already there. The industrial component is grandfathered in,

and while it might be nice to see it changed, I would not force

condemnation. Noxious fumes, which I’ve heard complaints about,

should be investigated and controlled. Also, halfway houses should be

monitored to make sure they are not overly congregated and are run in

an orderly manner.

Are city leaders doing a good job handling the budget and

pressures on it from the state?

The city administrators have done a good job with what they have

to work with. However, the City Council has some tough decisions

ahead. The state’s playing with the revenue stream has certainly

muddied the waters, but our spending has outpaced revenue. We have

drawn from reserves for the last three years to meet budget.

Obviously, this cannot go on forever. The only time it might be

warranted is when major capital projects are involved. Orange County

just approved an enhanced retirement plan for its employees. This

puts pressure on cities to adopt similar plans. We need to be very

cautious in our negotiations with the Costa Mesa employees union. We

do not want to join a growing list of bankrupt or near-bankrupt

cities. Would I raise taxes or fees? Yes, but only after careful

consideration. Some of them, such as the business-license fees, have

not kept with the times.