Motel in Costa Mesa Might Become a Satellite Jail

COSTA MESA —  The city will review plans next month to locate a satellite jail for low-risk criminal offenders at a Harbor Boulevard motel.

City officials said Wednesday that the Orange County Youth and Family Services organization has submitted an application to the city to convert the Ana Mesa Inn to a 100-bed work furlough center. The organization has been contracted by the county to find a jail facility to house selected criminal offenders.

The application marks the third attempt by the organization to find a jail location agreeable to residents and city officials.

Earlier this year, the group dropped one plan to put the jail at a Days Inn site at Newport Boulevard and 21st Street, and another for a location on Maple Street. Residents of the areas had voiced opposition.

But Councilman Peter F. Buffa said he was hopeful that an agreement could be reached on the Ana Mesa property, since its location at 3697 Harbor Blvd. is not near homes or other businesses. Also, the current business has presented troubles for city police.

“This is a motel that’s been a real problem for us,” Buffa said. “I think it’s a situation where, for the Ana Mesa, it can go nowhere but up.”

The city Planning Commission is expected to review the jail proposal next month.