Costa Mesa looking for resident input

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Residents’ quality of life is not for sale, city

officials say.

With more than $15 million in community benefits being touted with the

proposed Home Ranch project, city officials say they want to hear from

residents before being swayed by dollar signs.

After negotiating a development deal with C.J. Segerstrom & Sons for

the Home Ranch project -- which includes traffic mitigation projects, a

sales tax revenue guarantee, an educational fund, preservation of the

historic Segerstrom Ranch and possible funding for a new fire station --

city staff has recommended approval of the project with some minor

adjustments.

The benefits are considerable, said Planning Commissioner Chairwoman

Katrina Foley. But she wants to make sure she hears the public’s opinion

before she makes her decision.

“I really, really think it is important for the community to be

involved in this process, giving us information,” Foley said. “I want to

hear from as many residents as possible about their opinions on the

project and how they think it will impact their quality of life.”

Also concerned with resident input, C.J. Segerstrom officials said

they did substantial community outreach in order to modify the plan to

where it would work to everyone’s benefit. Their plan, however, still

calls for changes to the city’s general plan.

It is those changes, along with concerns about traffic and pollution,

that make residents like Cindy Brenneman disapproveof the project.

Brenneman encourages residents to speak out about the project, whether

they are for or against it, she said.

“We don’t have the money the Segerstroms have to influence opinion.

All we have is our voices and our passion for the city,” Brenneman said.

“Now is the time to voice your opinion. They will listen but you have to

come out and speak.”

Plans for the site -- a lima bean farm bordered by the San Diego

Freeway, Fairview Road, Harbor Boulevard and Sunflower Avenue -- must be

approved by the Planning Commission before being reviewed by the City

Council, which will make the final decision.

City Council members said they are looking forward to reviewing the

project but are nowhere near a decision.

“I personally think this is a project that deserves review, scrutiny

and consideration,” said Mayor Libby Cowan, when asked about the project

earlier this month. “I commend them for doing the kind of outreach and

listening that I think they are doing.”

The Planning Commission will review the project tonight and listen to

community input, but are not yet expected to make a decision.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .