Council turns down Eastside development

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Plans to add two homes to an oversized Eastside lot

withered away Monday night as council members decided the development was

not compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

The council unanimously denied a rezoning permit that would allow the

two homes to be built, each on 5,200-square-foot parcels behind an

existing two-story house in the 200 block of Cecil Place. Councilman Gary

Monahan, who had been a vocal supporter of the “small-lot” development,

abstained because of a possible conflict of interest.

“This is a poorly designed project, and the rezoning creates a

precedent for other projects like this,” Councilwoman Linda Dixon said.

“It is not compatible nor harmonious with the rest of the neighborhood.”

Even with Monahan’s support, Michael Schrock and his partner, Fritz

Howser, said they knew their plan was doomed. The partners said they will

meet today to finalize their next proposal under different zoning

requirements.

Schrock said the next step is to submit an application to divide the

lot. Unlike the previous proposal, this application does not allow the

city to scrutinize the design or architecture of the houses being built.

It merely draws lines to divide the property, he said.

Each lot will be about 6,400 square feet, and Schrock will reduce the

backyard of the existing house to 20 feet to accommodate the larger lots.

Once divided, each lot will be considered low-density residential use --

or R-1, as it is called by planners -- and can be built on without design

approval.

Council members still have the final say on whether they will allow

the parcel division, but if they deny it Schrock and Howser may sue.

Schrock was not shy in saying how things went wrong for his project,

which has swung from having city backing to Monday’s final denial.

Their first mistake, he said, was trusting city staff. When Schrock

and Howser first approached the city about the development, city planners

suggested they ask for rezoning instead of subdividing the

18,000-square-foot parcel and building under regular low-density

residential zoning standards.

The reason for that suggestion was to allow for a better project and

give the city more control over the design and architecture of the

project, staff reports stated.

Schrock and Howser complied with staff’s request, only to be met with

a barrage of resident outcry at a Planning Commission meeting.

While the two men are business partners, Schrock and his family will

move into the existing two-story house.

After planners’ recommendation, the Planning Commission narrowly

endorsed the project -- sending it on to the City Council for the final

decision. After opposition to the project mounted, the planning staff

changed course and recommended denial.

At a council meeting in September, where the opponents to the project

greatly outnumbered the supporters, council members expressed their

disapproval of the proposed design. However, council members chose to

continue the item to allow Schrock and Howser a chance to come back with

a project that fit better with surrounding houses.

For the second go around, the duo hired attorney Jennifer Friend to

represent them. The project was slightly changed and once again gained

the recommendation of the planning staff.

Friend gave an eloquent presentation, in which she reminded council

members that political motives should not overshadow the fact that the

plan is well within Costa Mesa codes.

“To merely state that it is nonharmonious is not a sufficient basis,”

Friend said.

The project was not without support, which grew from the first hearing

before the council and Monday’s meeting. Thirteen people spoke in favor

of the development, while 16 spoke against it. Opponents reiterated their

privacy and noise concerns, while those in favor said it would give the

neighborhood a much-needed face lift.

Opponent Russell O’Hare, who lives behind the property, said he didn’t

understand how the houses could beautify the neighborhood and raise

property values when they could not be seen from the street.

“It’s only going to be me, lying on my hammock, staring at these

houses, who is going to get the beautiful experience,” O’Hare said.

Despite the outcome, Schrock and O’Hare joked and laughed together

outside the council chambers, talking about how much they had in common

and how fun it would be to be neighbors.

Schrock assured O’Hare they would be neighbors, as he and his wife

plan to move in as soon as the renovations to the existing house are

complete.

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

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