Building their positions

Costa Mesa’s first City Council candidates’ forum of the season Thursday was a tame one.

There was no arguing, no shouting and no fist-pounding as the candidates tried out their responses to questions that they will undoubtedly hear many more times before November’s election.

But the debate, sponsored by Mesa Verde’s Homeowners Assn., did bring to light some significant differences in policy among the nine council hopefuls vying for three open seats in the fall.

Foremost on the minds of the audience members writing the questions appeared to be the issue of development. A vast majority of the questions centered on the subject — everything from what will happen to Banning Ranch, what action to take on the Westside and where the line is drawn between too much and too little development.

Although Banning Ranch is not technically a Costa Mesa issue — the 400-acre parcel of land falls under Newport Beach’s sphere of influence — it’s clear that Costa Mesa streets and the 55 Freeway would be used for transportation to and from any new development there. The property is also right next to the Westside of the city, divided by only a 1-foot strip of land.

Chris Bunyan, Katrina Foley and Chris McEvoy were the most adamantly opposed to developing the area, saying it would better serve the community as undeveloped coastal park land that could be used by residents. All three quickly raised their hands when asked whether they didn’t want to see the land developed; the other six candidates did not.

“We’re not going to realize what we have until it’s gone. Just imagine 50 years down the road when we have a big beautiful piece of land that’s like our Central Park,” McEvoy said, echoing a sentiment that Bunyan has been advocating for a long time now as part of the Save the Banning Ranch Task Force.

Bunyan said the proposed development — which would include 1,300 homes, a 75-room hotel and businesses — would have a devastating effect on traffic throughout the downtown Costa Mesa area and into the Westside as well as stripping the city of a chance to have coastal view hiking trails and natural scenery.

Bill Sneen and Lisa Reedy were less vociferous on the issue, but said that they would try to minimize the development of the area.

Eric Bever, Gary Monahan and Jim Righeimer disagreed, saying that the city planned for the extra traffic the project would generate. Bever said that the city already has access to plenty of open space, like Talbert, Canyon and Fairview parks, and doesn’t need to preserve Banning Ranch.

In Monahan’s opinion, developing the area would encourage redevelopment of adjacent Costa Mesa neighborhoods.

“We have a golden opportunity here. If you put up 900 or 1300 very modern, classy homes right next to the Westside it’s going to do one thing. It’s going to raise the comps and increase the property values on the Westside,” Monahan said.

Redeveloping the Westside has been a city issue for years now, and it was posed to the candidates in multiple questions at the debate. All of the candidates said that improving the neighborhood was a priority, but they brought separate methodologies to the table.

Bever highlighted the program currently in place — a system called overlay zones, which allow developers to use land not previously available for housing to put up residential projects.

“The streets have been fixed in the Westside, the city has done its part. The rest is up to the development community to bring in residential and live/work,” Bever said.

Foley agreed that the overlay zone policy was a good one, but said that conversations with Westside business owners convinced her that the policy alone was not enough and the city needed to put forward a comprehensive vision for what the area should look like.

“I supported the overlay zones, but it’s just the start it’s not the solution. We don’t have a clear vision,” Foley said.

Costa Mesa’s city television station taped the debate, and it will be available in its entirety within the next few days.

Check the city’s website, www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us, for more information.

IN THEIR WORDS

“I would not support in any case using eminent domain to take over private property. I think it’s been shown over and over again that it’s not a good way to get things done.”

Eric Bever

“I pledge once again that if elected I will give my salary for a library.”

Chris Bunyan

“I’ve made public safety my top priority. I have lead the effort for a gang- elimination program.”

Katrina Foley

“We have to be careful not to push out the culture that has developed on the Westside.”

Chris McEvoy

“If we were to do a second skate park — and I’m saying if — the best location has always been Lions Park.”

Gary Monahan

“I think all our city departments are very capable of operating with a small budget cut considering how much of a substantial increase they’ve received over the last few years.”

Nick Moss

“I’m not a politician. I’m a proud resident of Costa Mesa. I pledge to be respectful and listen to other people’s contributions.”

Lisa Reedy

“We need to put in a plan for infra- structure.”

Jim Righeimer

“I’ve talked with some of the Westside business owners. We have land owners in the city that are noticing added value because of the closeness to the beach.”

Bill Sneen

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.