Costa Mesa considers legal action against sober-living company

Costa Mesa officials are considering legal action against a sober-living company they allege is violating municipal code in a Westside office building.

Solid Landings Behavioral Health, operating out of 657 W. 19th St., has continued to host group-counseling sessions in the 6,710-square-foot building after being told they could not, city spokesman Tony Dodero said on Tuesday.

The City Council denied Solid Landings’ appeal in July to conduct the sessions within the building, which it rents from owner John Morehart.

Since then, code enforcement personnel have reported observing sessions occurring there in apparent violation of the council’s ruling. Solid Landings has received three citations as a result, Dodero said.

“Because we’ve already issued municipal citations, we’re now looking at multiple legal options to cease the unpermitted use of the facility,” he said.

Dodero said pursuing a civil case would require council approval. He noted that Solid Landings did remove a gate that city officials said was illegally installed.

“Solid Landings has taken, and is continuing to take, steps to address the city’s and residents’ concerns, such as seeking permits for the gate work and addressing the traffic flow at the property at issue,” said spokeswoman Jemellee Ambrose in a statement. “Solid Landings is also exploring its legal rights and will take the appropriate next steps.”

In an email, Morehart said, “If there are issues which touch on constitutionality or legality of their use, I will let the judiciary determine this and stay out of the conflict.”

Morehart noted that Solid Landings signed a lease that has the company paying the building’s property taxes, as well as maintenance and insurance costs.

In July, the council ruled that 657 W. 19th didn’t have enough parking and that the group sessions would be an unpermitted use there. The council members were also critical of reports that Solid Landings employees illegally parked in the adjacent neighborhood, not the building’s lot.

Solid Landings contested the decision, arguing that its clients arrive by vans, so it needed fewer parking spots.

The decision did not evict the company. Solid Landings is still permitted to use 657 W. 19th for other purposes, such as an administrative office.

Solid Landings and its subsidiaries run an estimated 30 group and sober-living homes throughout Costa Mesa.

The company sued the city in an unrelated matter last year, alleging that an ordinance regulating the homes was discriminatory.