Council approves Habitat project

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The Westside will see more owner-occupied housing in the

future as the City Council decided Tuesday to uphold a previous decision

to convert six apartments into condominiums.

Council members voted 4 to 1 to uphold the Planning Commission’s

decision, allowing Habitat for Humanity to convert apartments on Pomona

Avenue into owner-occupied condominiums. Councilman Chris Steel, who had

appealed the commission’s decision, dissented.

“This is a project that is a very big improvement for the area, and

the city has a wonderful track record with Habitat for Humanity,�

Councilman Gary Monahan said. “This is something that this dais can be

proud of.�

At the Nov. 13 meeting, the Planning Commission approved the

conversion of a six-unit apartment building into ownership condominiums.

Each two-bedroom duplex would be converted into one four-bedroom home,

and two additional three-bedroom units would be built.

During that meeting, commissioners also made exceptions to usual rules

regarding landscaping.

In addition to ensuring enough trees on the property, Steel said he

wanted to enact conditions regarding the people who would be chosen to

live in the newly converted homes.

The councilman said he wanted more diversity in an area that has

become overwhelmingly Latino -- up to 70%, he said.

“The diversity we need on the Westside is more of those who are black,

red, yellow and white,� Steel said. He also added that the people should

be English speakers only.

He also proposed that only legal Costa Mesa residents be selected and

that no more than three unrelated adults be allowed to live in one unit,

he said.

Resident Janice Davidson shared Steel’s concern.

“How can you promise me that there won’t be 30 people living in one

unit in three months?� she asked.

Mark Korando, who represents Habitat for Humanity, said the

organization would not allow two unrelated households to live in the same

condominium -- only one family per house is allowed.

If there were proof of a violation, the family would be asked to move.

Korando said despite the additional building, fewer people will be

living there under the proposed project than the 58 living there now.

Forty-two people are expected to live on the property as proposed, he

said.

Audience members were split on the issue. A handful complained that

there was not enough open space and asked that the additional building

not be created.

Others, such as Habitat volunteer Ursula Vowen, assured the public the

organization provides quality projects with quality residents.

“If any of you are unsure about the quality of the homes or families,

I invite you to visit three units under construction in Costa Mesa now,�

she said. The organization has a project underway on Del Mar Avenue.

Korando reiterated that all applicants must go through a stringent

application process, including documentation screening, two interviews

and extensive credit checks.

“We are the lenders on this project. Their ability to pay us back is

imperative,� Korando said. “We want our money back so we can build more

houses for more families.�

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .