REBUTTAL

In response to the article published in the May 11 issue of the Daily

Pilot, I believe the community should also hear from the residents of

East Side Costa Mesa (“17th Street project prompts new grass-roots group”

May 11). The East 17th Street Ad Hoc Committee consists of six business

owners and only four resident representatives. Of the four

representatives, only one or two consistently attend, providing the

business owners opportunity to ignore the needs of the community and

satisfy their personal issues.

Ignoring the transportation planning needs of the community in favor of a

few business owners is a disservice to the residents, taxpayers and

commercial patrons of the city.

Contrary to Dan Perlmutter’s comments in the article, 17th Street is a far cry from most other greatly improved commercial areas in Costa Mesa.

With a few exceptions, it consists of mostly 1950s-era commercial

buildings that have poor visibility, poor design and poor parking. While

his interests may exhibit that of a group of business owners on 17th

Street, they do not represent the views of the citizens of Costa Mesa and

Newport Beach -- the majority of patrons that frequent the properties

that he and others own.

17th Street has the potential to be a successful commercial area, but

only if it is planned in a thorough and intelligent manner. Most of the

business owners on this committee have vehemently expressed views to

either leave 17th Street “as is” or at most add minimal cosmetic

improvements that will not adequately address traffic issues. If the

improvements made to 17th Street are not made in conjunction with the

County Master Plan, Costa Mesa will lose its $4 million in funding from

the county and end up paying for these “minor improvements” with strictly

city funds. It would be selfish to forego this funding in favor of a few

business owners.

Much time is wasted in these meetings addressing the personal issues

related to the project. I am not downplaying the necessity to include

property owners in the decision-making process. While many complaints are

aired regarding landscaping, reality shows that the city of Costa Mesa

already owns the majority of the land required for the expansion of 17th

Street to six lanes.

In a recent article in another local paper, it now appears that

Perlmutter has garnered an environmental voice to bolster his “Not In My

Back Yard” group.

Although I am not the official voice of the residents of East Side Costa

Mesa, I can reasonably assume that not one resident wants this project to

result in a “concrete jungle” and dramatic decrease of landscaping.

Rather, by intelligent conversation and equal representation, I hope we

can provide the city of Costa Mesa a service that will both alleviate

traffic problems and beautify and grow the businesses on this corridor.

DAVID GUDER

Resident Representative

East 17th Street Ad Hoc Committee