Costa Mesa nears quick approvals for remodels

Deirdre Newman

It could take as little as a week to gain approval for a residential

remodel if city officials ultimately approve preliminary changes the

Planning Commission made Monday.

Now it can drag on eight to 10 weeks, minimum.

The changes are part of a slew of modifications the commission

made to the city’s zoning code and residential design guidelines,

covering issues such as floor area ratios, second-story construction

and design review procedures.

The commission on Monday gave direction to staff to make the

changes that will be reconsidered at a future commission meeting. The

City Council will also eventually have to put its imprimatur on the

changes.

The new expedited process has its advantages and disadvantages,

commissioner Katrina Foley said.

“The benefit is, it makes the process more efficient for

residents, because it doesn’t take as long,” Foley said. “The

disadvantage is that we’re now considering eliminating any notice to

anybody that the remodel is going to occur.”

Councilman Gary Monahan was the first to initiate review of the

zoning code and guidelines. The hearing on Monday was the second

public hearing the commission has conducted on the issue. It has also

held two study sessions on the comprehensive topic.

The process for residential remodels used to include giving notice

to neighbors within 500 feet, a minor design review by the zoning

administrator and possibly a public hearing.

The process the commission would like to see is an established

threshold for floor area ratio and a percentage of second story over

the first story. If this threshold is met, Planning Department staff

can approve a project without notifying the neighborhood, Foley said.

The commission also directed staff to slash the pesky language of

“harmony and compatibility” and replace it with “design excellence”

in areas including site planning, landscaping, location of windows

and “any other applicable design features.”

In addition, Foley added the requirements of preserving a

sufficient amount of open space and considering established

neighborhoods.

“I think we still have to look at the underlying neighborhood

because something might be a beautiful design, but might be too much

for that neighborhood.”

For second-story side setbacks, the commission recommended an

average of 10 feet, but no closer than 5 feet from the side property

line.

Foley suggested an exception for an “established pattern in the

neighborhood” since there are a lot of neighborhoods where these

patterns exist, Foley said.

Commissioner Bill Perkins said he is satisfied with the way the

changes are going.

“I just think the staff did a good job on [them],” Perkins said.

“I think they really need to streamline the process and think that’s

what we’re doing. I’m happy with the majority of the alternatives.”