NO-PLANNING COMMISSION TURNS DOWN TWO EATERIES AT OLD PASTA CONNECTION LOCATION
At its regularly scheduled meeting last night, the no-Planning Commission heard most people say that they liked the new building that replaced the Pasta Connection at the corner of Harbor and 19th, but that two new restaurants shouldn't be allowed to occupy the space because the property only has 23 parking spaces, and under today's codes there should be 45.
On a four to one vote, with newbie Commissioner Stephen Mensinger voting to allow the restaurants, the no-Planning Commission turned the deal down. The applicant now has seven days in which to appeal to the City Council. Count on that happening.
Details
I was going to put in a long wonkish report on the details here, but I'll spare you.
Suffice it to say that this matter is a little more complicated than indicated above and on appeal will turn on historical records of any existing CUPS or variances (since they run with the land) and exactly what they covered, as well as the fact that there are actually two separate parcels involved.
Well, okay, just a few general details
The old Pasta Connection, which had occupied the site for many years, had adequate physical parking when it opened many years ago. The buildings on the site were built in the 1950's and 1960's.
Over the years, as more and more cars hit the road, the City of Costa Mesa correctly started requiring additional parking spaces for businesses in the City. (Restaurants now require 10 parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet of restaurant space).
Even though the on-site parking at the Pasta Connection eventually became inadequate, the parking problems in that immediate area were livable because there was physical parking on Harbor Blvd. that took the overflow.
Then, Harbor Blvd. was widened and the parking went away. When that happened, customers and employees of the Pasta Connection started parking in the strip center just to the north of the Pasta Connection and this caused problems for the businesses in that center.
About a year ago, a new company bought the Pasta Connection site, tore down the building and put in the new building that is there now and wanted to put in two restaurants whose square footage is 447 square feet larger than the Pasta Connection.
The new owners apparently thought that since the Pasta Connection was there with 23 parking spaces, that the new building could also occupy that space with a restaurant or two and also only have 23 parking spaces. As indicated above, the no-Planning Commission didn't buy that argument last night and turned down the applicant's request.
--Developing--
What's with Mensinger?
Some are asking what's with this newbie Commissioner Stephen Mensinger. He missed the very first meeting of the Commission two weeks ago, and now he votes to stuff 45 pounds of cars into a 23 pound bag.
Jim Righeimer appointed as no-Planning Commission Chair
As we predicted, the Commission passed over long time Commissioner Jim Fisler for the Chairmanship of the Commission and appointed Jim Righeimer to lead the body. Fisler was again voted in as Vice Chair.
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CORRECTION
In CM PRESS # 617, we reported that City Councilmembers each receive a pension payment (completely paid for by citizens and with no contribution from the Councilmembers) of $5,633.07 per year.
Actually, that pension only starts in the fifth year that a Councilmember is in office, so a Councilmember in his or her first term doesn't get the pension payment.
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BAD COPS HEADING TO JAIL
Broke into house, killed old woman, lied and planted drugs to cover it up. LINK
The question that should be asked by all police departments: If a cop is willing to lie about small things, will he or she later lie about big things?
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SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ON DEATH WATCH
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Those are our opinions. Thanks for reading them.
