Inside CITY HALL

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Planning Commission on Monday approved an expansion of Plums

restaurant and catering business, at 369 17th St., to provide more

seating and kitchen space.

The commission also approved longer business hours on Saturdays for

the eatery.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The commission recommended that the council allow the restaurant to

expand and to be open for longer hours on Saturday for the expansion.

The restaurant requested a 1,331-square-foot expansion for seating and

a 1,998-square-foot prep kitchen addition for the catering business.

VOTE: 5-0 to approve

WHAT HAPPENED:

The commission approved a request to allow the Lease Outlet, an

existing car sales and leasing business at 1545 Newport Blvd, to sell

cars to walk-in customers as well as via the Internet.

The Lease Outlet conducts most of its business using the Internet,

mail and fax machines and does not rely on walk-in business.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Lease Outlet will be permitted to store and display vehicles

outside and detail the cars it sells.

The City Council will not review this request because the Planning

Commission has the authority to make final decisions in this situation.

In 1998, the business owner applied for a permit to allow retail sales

and leasing of automobiles.

The business is a low-key business with little or no customer traffic,

according to a city report.

The business must comply with a number of conditions, including

putting up signs indicating it is not generally open to walk-in business.

The commission will review the business in six months to determine if

it is complying with the conditions.

VOTE: 5-0 approved

NEXT MEETING:

WHAT: Regular Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting

WHERE: 77 Fair Drive

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. March 26

PHONE: (714) 754-5345