BIZ BITES

City Council to vote on Wyndham project

The Costa Mesa City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the Wyndham Orange County hotel’s expansion plan, which would close the hotel for more than a year and add numerous renovations and a neighboring residential tower.

The expansion for the Wyndham, located on the Avenue of the Arts near South Coast Plaza, would be the largest of its kind undertaken by any hotel in Costa Mesa. The proposed changes include a new lobby and restaurant, a spa facility and a 23-story high-rise residential tower in the place of the existing parking structure.

The Planning Commission approved the plan in September, although the county’s Airport Land Use Commission ruled last month that the Wyndham plan was inconsistent with land use plans for the area around John Wayne Airport. The council will need a four-fifths vote to override the ruling.

The council meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

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Island Hotel to kick off annual toy drive

The Island Hotel by Fashion Island plans to start its annual holiday drive Wednesday to gather toys and proceeds for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign.

The hotel, located at 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach, will accept donations through Dec. 13.

The lobby of the hotel will feature a Santa-and-reindeer sculpture and a six-foot-high holiday greeting card made entirely of confections by the hotel’s executive pastry chef, Michael Owens.

Donors may bring new, unwrapped toys valued at $10 or more, or purchase stamps or sponsorships. Call (949) 759-0808 for more information.

— Michael Miller