Inside CITY HALL

Jennifer Kho

ANNEXATION PREZONING

The Planning Commission will consider recommending prezoning

designations for approximately 278 acres of unincorporated areas along

the eastern edge of the city.

The areas -- county islands entirely or partially surrounded by the

city limits -- are being considered for incorporation into Costa Mesa.

The prezoning, if passed by the council at a future meeting, will

become the official zoning for the areas if they are annexed into the

city.

Zoning establishes how land can be used, such as for housing,

business, industry or recreation.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Planning Commission is expected to recommend most

of the areas south of Mesa Drive to be used for low- and medium-density

housing.

City staff is recommending that one site at 2651 Irvine Ave. be designated as a neighborhood commercial site.

North of Mesa Drive, staff is recommending that areas be prezoned for

medium-density housing and that the Santa Ana Country Club be prezoned

for institutional and recreational use.

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY

The commission will review a request for South Coast Repertory to

expand approximately 34,000 square feet to include a 301-seat auditorium,

a stage and ancillary support space.

The preliminary master plan for the theater was approved Feb. 5 as

part of the Town Center project.

The project, a collaboration between South Coast Plaza, the Orange

County Performing Arts Center and Commonwealth Partners LLC, includes a

pedestrian-oriented Theater Arts District bordered by Bristol Street,

Sunflower Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and the San Diego Freeway.

It also calls for a new symphony hall, expansion of South Coast

Repertory Theater, an art museum or academy, restaurants, an improved

parking area and office space.

The proposal includes minor changes from the preliminary master plan

because the proposal includes three stories instead of two stories, but

with a lower height of 55 feet, rather than 160 feet.

The expansion will also add 301 seats, not 336 as was originally

proposed.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The commission is expected to recommend the project to

the City Council for approval.

FYI:

WHAT: Regular Costa Mesa Planning Commission meeting

WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

INFORMATION: (714) 754-5245