City planners reject proposal for development

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- The Planning Commission on Monday night narrowly rejected a

local developer’s request to build 90 homes in Mesa Verde as more than

100 residents from the area pressed city officials to block the project.

The commission voted 3-2 against Costa Mesa-based Standard Pacific’s

plans to develop a vacant lot on Adams Avenue and Mesa Verde Drive, even

though city planners said the project conformed with city codes. The lot

is actually designated for more than 90 homes, said Perry Valantine, an

official with the city’s planning department.

But more than 100 residents flooded council chambers to oppose the

project Monday night. Approximately 30 homeowners told the commission

that the project would fill the neighborhood’s small streets with cars,

the nearest elementary school with extra children and the landscape with

homes that didn’t match.

“The neighborhood came together and made them realize they needed to take

a closer look at the project,” said Robin Leffler, a Mesa Verde

homeowners’ board member who has been a vocal opponent of the project.

Michael Battaglia of Standard Pacific did not return calls for comment.

However, city officials said they expect he will appeal the decision to

the City Council.

Planning Commissioner Tom Sutro, who voted to approve the project, said

Mesa Verde residents are being unrealistic in what they expect for the

lot.

“People don’t like change, of course,” he said. “The lot has been vacant

for some time. They don’t remember that there used to be a gas station

there. But no matter what you put there, including a park, it’s going to

generate more traffic.”

Sutro also said the Newport-Mesa Unified School District concluded that

nearby Adams Elementary School would adequately absorb children from the

new development. But Karen Robinson, another project opponent, said the

data was bogus.

“They said the 90 homes would yield only 24 elementary school-age

children,” she said. “That just didn’t add up.”