Planners mull Westside’s future

FOR THE RECORD

A story Monday, “Planners mull Westside’s future,” incorrectly cited 330 acres as the rough area of Costa Mesa’s Westside being considered for a new zoning plan. The actual area is more than 600 acres.

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Urban plans that would overhaul Costa Mesa’s Westside, allowing the leveling of industrial space and the building of live/work developments and upscale lofts, could take their first step toward approval tonight.

The planning commission will discuss the plans and likely take action on them, possibly sending them to the City Council for final approval.

The plans are the culmination of years of efforts to upgrade the Westside, a mix of apartments, small shops and restaurants, and industrial operations ? an area some people think is run-down. If the innovative urban plans are approved, they will allow industrially zoned properties to be turned into condos and new spaces for small businesses.

Officials expect the new zoning to open the floodgates to economic development, driven by the private sector.

City planners are projecting that if 50% of the 330-acre Westside is redeveloped by 2025, it will mean: