COSTA MESA PLANNING COMMISSION PREVIEW

Feb. 13, 2006 12 AM PT

Here are some items the Planning Commission will consider Monday.

URBAN PLANS

The commission will hold the first of several public hearings on four much-heralded urban plans, three of which could remake the Westside as a mixed-use community where chic residential developments mingle with businesses. Two of the Westside plans lay out details of new zoning proposed for the area, and one would encourage home ownership.

The fourth plan is the unique “So BECA,” or South Bristol Entertainment and Cultural Arts plan. It would create a pedestrian-friendly district that centers on dining, entertainment and commercial developments as well as living spaces such as artists’ lofts.

City Council and Planning Commission members peeked at the Westside plans late last year, but today’s meeting will be their first step toward an eventual vote by the council.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Since the plans are still fresh off the drawing board, planning staff members recommend starting discussions and continuing them at a March 13 meeting.

SPORTS BAR PERMIT

The commission could revoke a permit that allows the Corner Office Sports Bar and Grill to offer live entertainment as well as pool tables and video games. After numerous police visits to the bar in 2005, the commission reviewed its permit in October and set more conditions for the bar’s operators.

After two recent incidents -- an assault and an overcrowding problem -- at the bar, planning staff members recommend revoking the permit. If the commission agrees, the bar’s owners would have to remove the pool tables and stop using a banquet room expansion, and they would have to close at 11 p.m. rather than 1 a.m.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The recommendation is to revoke the permit, but the bar’s owners likely will want to plead their case to the commission.

Compiled by Alicia Robinson

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IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

* WHERE: City Council chambers, City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

* INFO: (714)754-5245 or www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us