Planning Commission approves change for Sutra, Westside

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission on Monday approved a larger space for Sutra at The Triangle.

The nightclub was permitted to move into an 11,804-square-foot space formerly used by Niketown. Sutra’s old facility, about 8,500 square feet, will be repurposed as a restaurant.

Also during the meeting, commissioners approved Westside Gateway, a 177-unit residential development at 671 W. 17th St. The 9-acre parcel was formerly used for industrial purposes.

The units will have three stories with rooftop decks and range from 1,856 to 1,998 square feet.

The bottom floors are intended to be work spaces.

Supporters said Westside Gateway will provide modern-style living for young professionals, revitalize the Westside with quality housing and clean up a property known to be heavily contaminated after more than 50 years of industrial activity.

“I think this is another shot in the arm for the area,” said Commissioner Colin McCarthy.

Dissenters decried the project’s density and potential to increase traffic.

Westside Gateway still needs City Council approval.

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Denial of antenna is upheld

Commissioners also upheld their denial in March of a nonprofit’s request to install a 70-foot broadcasting antenna off Harbor Boulevard.

The Garden Grove-based International Crusade for the Penny, which serves the homeless and people with disabilities, requested the antenna to broadcast a radio station that it wanted to set up inside a commercial center at 440 Fair Drive, near Harbor and several College Park neighborhood homes. The antenna would have been on the center’s parking lot.

International Crusade appealed the March decision, alleging unfair treatment from city officials, who denied the tower partially on grounds that it would be far too tall for the area and couldn’t be properly camouflaged.

Representatives of the nonprofit praised the group and said the Federal Communications Commission both approved the antenna and noted that Costa Mesa would be the preferred location over Garden Grove.

“This is what the FCC assigned us,” said Mary Luna, who helps run International Crusade. “We come with good intentions.”

City officials said any FCC approvals do not preempt Costa Mesa’s zoning code and the city’s ability to restrict the location of the antenna.