COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Here are items the council considered Tuesday.

TEMPORARY FENCES

If property owners want to fence in vacant land parcels, they’ll now need building permits for the fences, and the city can review what fencing materials will be used, the council decided. Putting fences around vacant sites is generally not required by the city, so the change was aimed at making sure fences look good and are maintained when they are installed.

The council voted, 4-1, with Mayor Allan Mansoor dissenting, to require a building permit for temporary fences and also to require opaque screening with chain link fencing.

WHAT IT MEANS

Property owners must apply for a building permit if they choose to fence their vacant properties.

HUSCROFT HOUSE

John Morehart, who in late 2003 took the historic Huscroft House off the city’s hands and moved it to the Westside, was given a permit to encroach on the city’s right-of-way with a wall in front of the house. Since putting the house on his Bernard Street property, Morehart has worked to restore the house.

The city allowed him to move the sidewalk closer to the curb, and he misunderstood this as permission to build a low wall at the front of the property. He was subsequently denied a permit to use city right-of-way and he appealed the decision. The council decided in a 3-2 vote, with Mansoor and Councilman Eric Bever dissenting.

WHAT IT MEANS

The wall in front of the Huscroft House can stay, but Morehart must get $1 million in liability insurance because the wall is on city property and the city could be sued if someone is injured by it.

TEWINKLE PLAYGROUND

The council unanimously voted to apply for a grant that would pay for a rubberized playground surface under new equipment proposed for the tot lot at TeWinkle Park. The playground equipment will be donated by Angel’s Charity.

Grants are provided by the California Integrated Waste Management Board to pay for products made from recycled tires, including the playground surface.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will seek a $100,000 grant. If the grant is awarded to Costa Mesa, the city can put a soft surface under new, handicap-accessible playground equipment.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Next City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6 p.m. Nov. 15

* WHERE: Council chambers, City Hall,

77 Fair Drive

* INFO: (714)754-5221 or www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us

-- Compiled by Alicia Robinson