Planners Ok Costa Mesa Towers Project

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission, by a 3-2 vote, Monday night approved a proposed $90-million dollar commercial development that would include construction of three large office towers along the San Diego Freeway.

The Metro Pointe proposal by Arnel Development Co. calls for the three office towers to be built on 12 acres of farmland bordered by South Coast Drive, Bear Street and the freeway.

The proposal, which is the second phase of an overall plan by Arnel Development, has drawn opposition from neighborhood groups that say the project would cause further problems to the already unstable water table in the area.

Dan Gott, a member of the North Costa Mesa Homeowners Assn., told the five-member commission Monday that the project was “an ecological monster.”

Gott said the foundations of homes near the proposed construction site would be damaged by the movement of heavy machinery.

More members of Gott’s organization and other opponents were scheduled to speak late Monday night before the commission was to vote on the project.

The proposed project would include a 4-story, a 6-story and a 12-story structure totaling 460,000 square feet. Two parking structures--one that is four levels and the other six levels--are also proposed.

The project’s first phase, which is now completed, included construction of the Cape--an apartment complex just west of the proposed development site--and two 2-story office buildings, just north of where Metro Pointe would stand.

If the commission approves the project, it will go to the City Council for final approval.

Plans for the third and final phase of the project are expected to be submitted to the commission later.

Arnel Development is one of four developers proposing massive commercial development projects along the San Diego Freeway between Harbor Boulevard and the Costa Mesa Freeway. The three other developers are C. J. Segerstrom & Sons, Sakioka Farms and Curci-England/Transpacific Development Co.