COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

-- Susan McCormack

ISSUE: Group home standard conditions

ACTION: Approved, 4-0

SUMMARY: The council approved 22 standards for group homes. The first 14

will be applied to all group homes. These include such things as: a

6-foot wall to surround the homes and 24-hour on-site management.

The remaining standards, such as restrictions for visiting hours and the

forbiddance of detoxification services, will be applied to group homes,

depending on particular situations.

The council has been working to create the standards since summer.

ISSUE: Parking space standards

ACTION: Approved, 4-0

SUMMARY: After hearing testimony from a businessman, architect, engineer

and consultant, the council decided to slightly amend its parking space

regulations.

All future parking lots are required to build standard spaces at 9 feet

by 18 feet. Compact spaces may only be built in lots containing more than

25 cars, and only 10% of the spaces may be compact. These spaces must be

15 feet by 8 feet.

Also, council heard testimony that compact spaces are a “concept that has

come and gone” but the size of the spaces do make the job of designing

the lots more flexible.

ISSUE: Conditional-use permit for a mini-storage warehouse

ACTION: Approved, 3-1

SUMMARY: Mark Cernich was given permission to build a two-story

mini-warehouse project with 209 units at 2007 Harbor Blvd.

Council members debated four concerns with the project that resulted in

the Planning Commission denying the permit: if it was compatible with the

nearby residential neighborhood; if there was enough of a noise buffer;

problems with odor and traffic; and if seven proposed doors would enable

commercial use of the building, which is meant only to be storage space.

The council approved the permit, but required Cernich to have an on-site

manager supervise activity at the warehouse, keep limited hours,

eliminate the seven doors and fence in the facility.

Councilwoman Linda Dixon voted against, saying she disapproved of the

fact that clients could exit the facility onto a residential street.