Counseling center can stay at Costa Mesa site

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Council members agreed Monday to allow a counseling

center that aids drunk drivers to remain at its 20-year location in the

city, but not until after picking apart the center’s business operation.

After nearly an hour of debate and discussion, the City Council voted

4 to 1 to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a

conditional-use permit for Gold Coast Counseling Center in an industrial

building at 2950 Airway Ave.

Councilwoman Karen Robinson asked to reexamine the decision at

Monday’s meeting. Robinson said she had substantial concerns with the

property stemming from complaints she had heard from neighboring business

owners.

Robinson listed problems with parking and loiterers.

“This is not just trash, but health and safety issues,” she said.

In the course of the discussion, council members asked property owner

Bruce Corzine if the center had sign-in sheets, how many bathrooms were

at the center and if the contract with patrons specified that children

could not be present.

Councilman Gary Monahan rolled his eyes as the barrage of questions

continued and broke in to defend the applicant.

“You have no control if someone’s spouse has come to drop them off and

is waiting with their children in the parking lot,” Monahan countered.

Corzine said the center had been operating in the building for the

last 20 years and was recently told of a requirement for a

conditional-use permit. Planning staff confirmed the city learned of a

lack of permit after a complaint was filed with code enforcement.

The property owner said responsibility for parking and litter problems

are shared by all tenants of the industrial center and that the

counseling center should not be singled out.

“I personally go around picking up trash,” Corzine said. “Who’s to say

it’s all from the counseling center?”

Discussions were heated about whether the counseling center should be

allowed to stay in the building on Airway Avenue. Neighboring business

owners claimed the center attracted “a bad element” that has driven away

potential customers. They said the counseling center’s patrons were often

drunk in the parking lot.

One of the most vocal neighbors declined to state her name for the

record.

Costa Mesa resident Mitch Barry had a different take on center

patrons. Barry said he had to attend a similar counseling center after

being convicted of driving under the influence in 1993. He said he was a

property owner, an overall good citizen and is grateful for the

counseling he received from a center like Gold Coast.

“I’m the kind of person who uses these centers,” he said. “It doesn’t

reflect well on us that we are debating this issue for a center that

helps people like me.”

Planning commissioners approved a permit for Gold Coast Counseling

Center in September. However, conditions were placed on the facility,

including a mandatory staff member to supervise the building and parking

lot activities.