Striking out at Kohl’s proposal

I was very disappointed with the Costa Mesa Planning Commission’s

decision to recommend approval of the Kohl’s department store. I live

in that area, and I think a department store would bring too much

traffic to the already congested Harbor and Adams intersection. The

streets leading into and out of the parking lots of both the Target

shopping center and the Mervyns on Adams in Huntington Beach are very

congested. Orange Coast College and the swap meet already generate

plenty of traffic during the week and on weekends. It’s difficult to

cross Harbor and Adams to go to the Mesa Verde Center now, and this

store will only make it worse.

I also don’t think Costa Mesa needs another department store. In

this economy, we should support the stores we already have and not

build another large building that may soon be vacant. I have never

found myself saying, “Gee, I wish I had yet another department store

within five minutes of my house.” Where does the Planning Commission

think all the people to support that store will come from?

I’m glad the residents on Ashwood were asked for input. That’s the

way things should be done. May I suggest the residents also talk to

the people who live behind Target and Home Depot to hear about

problems they have had. One resident on Ashwood said that he observes

loitering in he area behind his house, and that a landscaped buffer

with a 6-foot-wide pedestrian walkway would be an improvement. It

occurs to me that that might encourage more loitering and create

security issues.

And lastly, I agree that “family-friendly” businesses are what is

needed at the Mesa Verde Center. Being able to walk or ride bikes to

the movies again, watch the kids play ice hockey and bowl a few games

at a refurbished Kona Lanes would really improve the quality of life

in this part of Costa Mesa. I bet my neighbors on Ashwood would even

enjoy it.

BARBARA RYCROFT

Costa Mesa

On Feb. 22, the Daily Pilot reported “city planners have

recommended denial of the Segerstroms’ plan to build a department

store at the Mesa Verde Center.” On Feb. 26, that report changed to

“the Planning Commission’s decision to bring Kohl’s to the Mesa Verde

Center.” I am not readily convinced that a 6-foot-wide buffer could

sway homeowners to believe that this could minimize the effect of an

enormous building next to their home. I have been to a Kohl’s in New

York. It is K-Mart, Target, TJ Maxx -- the names are interchangeable.

One might ruminate that a store of its caliber in that location would

affect the value of the adjacent homes -- no matter how wide the

buffer walkway.

Costa Mesans should not conform to the lowest common denominator

when it comes to commercial and public land use. We do not need

another place to shop. We do need raising-the-standard-of-living

types of venues. Newport Beach, for example, will soon boast a new

Mariners Branch Library dedicated to one of its highly regarded

citizens. Consider honoring the Segerstrom family in the same way --

with a library branch in their name at the Mesa Verde Center, housing

a lecture hall (the movie theater), ample room for books, computers

and opportunities for encouraging lifelong learning and pursuit of

personal and social advancement.

Another department store is not the answer to the concerns of

homeowners. If we must replace the family and socially oriented

businesses like Ice Chalet, the movie theater and Kona Lanes, then it

should be with a project in which all people of all ages and

backgrounds can congregate and enjoy leisure time. The city can

achieve these goals and still foster good business and encourage

commerce that brings value-added economic growth.

KATHLEEN HANOLD

Costa Mesa

What a pity. The City Council of Costa Mesa has done such a great

job over the years, so how can this happen? Yes, Kona Lanes and the

surrounding area are in need of repair. Yes, it is a shame that the

Ice Capades Chalet is now defunct. Yes again, the movie theaters were

outdated. But you know what? Those were kids’ places. Why would the

City Council want to become Mission Viejo, or Aliso Viejo or Rancho

this or that? My goodness, if you want to be that sterile, just get a

lobotomy.

To you residents who have homes that back up to the parking lot:

Shame on you. You have only been there a couple of years. Didn’t you

know it used to be a parking lot anyway? Do you expect the whole city

to jump at your requests? Obviously, you should have expected this

when you bought there. Better yet, sell and move to one of the above

mentioned cities. You will be happier. Leave Kona Lanes there. Fix

it. Clean it up. Make it a generation thing. Another department

store? You got to be kidding. I wish I had the wisdom to spout some

famous poet or writer or something, but all that comes to mind is:

“If not for us (adults), then for the children.”

MARTIN STUKA

Newport Beach

I do not think we need a Kohl’s department store at the Mesa Verde

Center. I have been a resident here for 30 years and I remember when

that center was very busy with the Ice Chalet and the movie theater,

and now we have a new generation that needs some recreation. I would

like to see the Kona Lanes upgraded. I recently saw it on TV; they

have Kona Lanes as one of the 1960s icons.

I would also like to see the movie theater redone. Too many movie

theaters are the “mega super boss type” movie theaters. It would be

nice to have a small type movie theater there. I don’t know if people

remember when Marshalls was on Harbor Boulevard. That was just an

enormous store and it was always empty, and the parking lot was very

scary at night -- it was always empty and it was just an eyesore.

I am sure Kohl’s, after the first few weeks of excitement, will

probably be the same. People just don’t shop at night in that area.

Even Target, if someone goes into Target at night, it is empty,

terribly empty, so I don’t think we need another retail store there.

SANDRA BASMACIYAN

Corona del Mar