COSTA MESA : City Works Toward Housing for Needy

The City Council has asked its staff to work out agreements on room sizes, parking and security for single-room occupancy buildings for the working poor.

Developers have expressed interest in converting a motel into either an SRO or housing for senior citizens.

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission has proposed regulations to increase the size of the rooms to 175 square feet from the 150 square feet proposed by developers. The commission also asked that half of the rooms be set aside for people classified as earning a “very low” income. The SROs would also have to provide one parking space for every two units.

Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis said the parking requirement may be too low and asked that it be brought back for discussion at a council study session. She also urged other council members not to proceed hastily simply because affordable housing is a good idea.

“I think sometimes we fall into this because it’s for poor people,” she said.

Councilman Peter F. Buffa, however, said the developments would provide badly needed housing for people who have been thoroughly screened for their job and credit histories.

“SROs are not projects, and they’re not charity cases. This is not public housing,” he said. He also noted that SROs typically are considered temporary housing until the tenants can afford security deposits and move into some form of permanent housing.

Along with parking requirements and the size of the rooms, the council asked that staff work out a proposal to make 5% of the units available for daily rental instead of the 10% that was previously discussed.