Here are some of the items the...

Here are some of the items the Planning Commission considered Monday.

The commission included Chairman Bruce Garlich, member Bill Perkins

and interim member Sandra Genis, who was filling one of two vacancies

until the City Council appoints a full slate of five commissioners

Feb. 7.

FAIRVIEW DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER REZONING

The commission will recommend that the council rezone a five-acre

vacant piece of state-owned land at the Fairview Developmental

Center, which would change its designation from high-density

residential to institutional/recreational zoning. Commissioners voted

2 to 1 in favor of the rezoning, with Perkins dissenting.

City officials would like to see a park or recreational use on the

site, but the state has opposed the zoning change because it may want

to sell the property and could get more money for it with the

residential zoning.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council has the final say on the zoning change and will

consider the issue Feb. 22. State officials have not said the

property will definitely be sold, but they indicated it is likely. If

the parcel goes up for sale, the city might be interested -- if it

can come up with the cash.

NEWPORT BOULEVARD RESTAURANT

A new restaurant and martini bar won’t be coming to Newport

Boulevard because the Planning Commission denied a conditional-use

permit to offer off-site valet parking and operate the restaurant

until 2 a.m. with live entertainment. The restaurant is within 200

feet of residences, and neighbors have raised concerns about noise

and traffic. The commission voted unanimously to deny the request.

WHAT IT MEANS

The applicant has seven days to appeal the commission’s decision,

but as of Thursday no appeal had been filed.

WEST BAY STREET HOUSING MAP

A new housing project planned for West Bay Street moved a step

closer to construction when the commission voted 3 to 0 to approve a

tract map for the development. The 32-unit project includes

single-family homes, a tot lot and parking. It will occupy the site

of the former Daily Pilot Plaza.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council needs to approve a final map before the developer can

get building permits. The final map is usually a fairly routine item

on the council’s consent calendar, but it can take about six months

for the developer to hammer out the details and get needed approvals

from the county before bringing the final map to the council.

-- Alicia Robinson