COSTA MESA

More than 200 homeowners, many expressing anger and frustration toward the city, attended a grass-roots group’s first public meeting to discuss how to revitalize the west-side neighborhood.

The group distributed booklets with suggestions for cutting crime, raising property values and improving the neighborhood’s appearance. It also formed committees to press the city to increase code enforcement and policing.

Residents’ suggestions included reducing the number of soup kitchens, increasing the city’s code enforcement staff and replacing apartments with single-family homes and condos.

In 1998 the City Council committed to improving the neighborhood, which is defined by its unusual mix of homes, apartments, industry and retail.