ON THE ISSUES

* NEW CODE REGULATIONS

The Costa Mesa City Council approved a number of code revisions

earlier this year in response to residents’ complaints about property

maintenance.

Faris supports code enforcement efforts, but thinks there are still

bugs in the code, such as when property owners are cited for short-term

violations.

“The mission of the code enforcers should be to cite ongoing problems

and major violators, such as is seen throughout the city but more so on

the West Side,” he said.

* WEST SIDE SPECIFIC PLAN

Since 1998, the city has targeted the aging, rundown West Side for

intense revitalization. Faris said he supports landscaping 19th Street

and Placentia Avenue, redeveloping Vista Center and adding senior

housing.

* 17TH STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN

The city has proposed widening 17th Street from four to six lanes, but

residents and merchants say adding lanes would devastate business and

ruin the character and viability of the street.

The plan also includes bus turnouts and turn lanes.

Faris said alternatives, such as extending the Costa Mesa Freeway to

Coast Highway, should be exhausted before East 17th Street is altered.

Even then, he said, the street should only be enhanced for safety

reasons and aesthetic improvement.

* CITY BUDGET

To increase revenue, Faris said he is in favor of Measure O and said

he would consider candidate Dan Worthington’s plan to seek bids for trash

collection.

* TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Faris said the residents of neighboring cities use Costa Mesa roads as

cut-through routes.

“Huntington Beach and Newport Beach need to find solutions that hold

themselves responsible for the traffic they create,” he said. “Costa Mesa

needs to be responsible for holding firm to lot sizes and restricting the

future building of high-density units.”