Redevelopment needed on Westside

It seems in this ongoing eminent domain debate, some are either for

it or, the majority, against it. Let me be the first to create a new

splinter group: “The Conditionals” -- as in a conditional

redevelopment. Yes, folks, it’s time that common sense rear its ugly

head. Here are my points:

*I say yes to redevelopment -- but with a caveat. Industrial use

does need to go (the land here is just too valuable, and it’s only

going to become more so in the years ahead), as it severely detracts

from what could be a wonderful area of homes and families. Should

industry or homes be located just a mile from the ocean? We have put

up with noise, pollution and people looking over our fence long

enough. Just because the city granted industrial use way back when,

doesn’t mean it is a good idea today.

As for Douglas Templin’s assertion on Aug. 24 that Ila Johnson is

inaccurate with her claim of industry fouling our air with toxic

carcinogens is itself wrong (“Reader should rethink redevelopment”).

I would like to inform Templin that for the last three nights we have

had to endure the surely unhealthy belchings of burnt plastic/rubber

from the Cla-Val plant several blocks down the street. It was so bad

Saturday night that my eyes were watering, I was hacking with an

irritated throat, and it actually was painful to breathe.

I had to close all the windows to avoid the skunky smell. Is that

anyway to have to live? I have even called the police before because

we did not know what it was. Can you say class-action lawsuit? I

couldn’t care less if this plant was founded in 1936, it is time for

it to go. Such a business (and don’t get me started about the

on-every-corner liquor stores) is not appropriate for a

community/family-oriented California coastal city. This is not

Allentown, Pa.

*I say no to uprooting any homeowner or tenant. Towne Street is a

great example of homes that people are beginning to fix up as they

are recognizing the enormous potential of this area. Yes, homes

belong in Costa Mesa, not industry. Isn’t that why God made

Irwindale? Riverside County?

*I say yes to redeveloping the shopping area at Placentia Avenue

and 19th Street. It is definitely an eyesore and needs major

upgrading. Something similar in appearance to the strip malls on 17th

Street is fine with me. For I am not suggesting an area like Fashion

Island. That would only bring about similarly priced homes and

townhomes. And if there is one thing we do not need in Orange County,

it is more outrageously over-priced homes that only the richest 10%

can afford. No, how about an area of clean, safe, modern and

aesthetically pleasing housing and shopping that real Americans --

the working class -- can afford? Let Towne Street show the way ...

middle class homes and shopping for middle class people. Why is that

so hard to imagine? A great example of this is downtown Glendale.

We must overcome this its-always-

been-this-way-so-it-can-never-change mentality in Costa Mesa. We do

need redevelopment change as long as people are not shooed from their

homes. Certainly, some businesses would make productive members of

the new landscape, others like Cla-Val will simply need to relocate.

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Jeff Sabini is a Costa Mesa resident.