Trail rehearing declined

The Costa Mesa City Council had a heated discussion Tuesday night over whether to rehear a proposal by Councilwoman Katrina Foley that would convert the Paularino and Delhi flood channels into a multipurpose trail.

The council declined to rehear the proposal by a 3-2 vote, with members Bever, Mansoor and Leece voting against the motion.

Bever balked at the price tag of the project, dismissing the rough estimates of City Transportation Manager Peter Naghavi that placed the total cost of the project around $1 million to $1.5 million. According to his calculations, he said, the project could reach $25 million.

“I’ve heard an estimate of $1 million to build the trail, and I’m astounded,” he said. “It cost us $250,000 to put in one landscape median that’s maybe 100-feet long — just from a practical standpoint the numbers are astounding, and I think we can find better use for this resource, this money.”

But Foley reiterated she thought it was premature to criticize conjectured costs of the project without an assessment by relevant experts.

“We’re being premature here,” she said. “To come up with a cost estimate right now is just not possible.”

The city would pay for the initial phase of the project, a $30,000 contract with KFM Engineering to conduct resident outreach and preliminary planning, with a state grant. Final costs of the project would be calculated following KFM’s assessment.

A number of residents also made their views known to the council.

“I hope that we can reconsider this plan and do something to create a much lovelier area than what we are looking at right now,” Mesa Del Mar Homeowners Assn. President Lisa Reedy said. “People are talking about gangs back there, but I just don’t know how beautifying the area wouldn’t eliminate that kind of element, and bring in bikes and families.”

“I see this as a tremendous opportunity for Costa Mesa,” Parks and Recreation Chairman Robert Graham said. “[Paularino] is a one-mile stretch of trail that only crosses one road, a relatively minor street, and it provides people an opportunity to go off the roads and feel safe.”

Many residents, however, cited a lack of security as their paramount concern with the trail.

“I’m all for bike trails, but I think this is a bad location for one,” Martin Millard said. “This is a high crime area with murders and gang activity, the only thing that’s keeping the gangs out of the trail is that it’s locked.”

Foley repeatedly cited reports she said reputed the claims of her detractors, saying that bike trails would raise property values and lower crime.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at chris.caesar@latimes.com.