Costa Mesa : Preliminary Plans for Home Ranch Get OK
The Planning Commission has approved some preliminary plans for the controversial Home Ranch project, a move opponents criticized Tuesday as untimely.
“They’re putting the cart before the horse,” said Scott Williams of Citizens for Responsible Growth. “A lot of things have to happen before this decision has any meaning. We felt the timing wasn’t appropriate.”
Last fall, the group filed a suit that blocked construction of the $400-million project. The group has also qualified a referendum for a citywide vote.
The Planning Commission late Monday unanimously approved a draft environmental impact report for the start of the project and a preliminary development plan for the 94-acre commercial development. Both reports now go to the City Council.
Home Ranch, planned for construction along the San Diego Freeway at Harbor Boulevard, would eventually have 3.1 million square feet of office space for 11,000 workers. Opponents contend it will clog city streets, add to pollution and change the residential nature of north Costa Mesa.
Superior Court Judge Seymour H. Tully is not expected to issue a final ruling until next month on whether C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, developers of Home Ranch, can proceed with the project. And the City Council has yet to set a date for the referendum vote.
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