Costa Mesa’s Eastside grows, but into what?

Deirdre Newman

The controversy that plagued a second-story addition on Broadway

in recent weeks illustrated an increasing struggle for Eastside

residents: How to maintain the charm of their neighborhood while

accommodating the desire of growing families to expand their homes to

meet their needs.

It also raised significant questions about the rights of property

owners and their neighbors.

On Tuesday, the City Council approved a second-story addition for

the Dewan family, which involves remodeling their 1,200 square-foot

home into a 2,143-square-foot, two-story home. The majority of the

second story would be built over the breezeway between the house and

the garage.

The Dewans cleared numerous obstacles in their quest for the

second-story addition. Approval seesawed back and forth, making the

city seem schizophrenic in its opinion of how homes ought to

redevelop.

Ultimately, the Dewans’ struggle symbolized the city’s challenge

as it wrestles with its future.

“I think Costa Mesa needs to refine its process, because

neighborhoods are changing, with small homes that will invariably get

larger,” Steven Dewan said.

LOOKING FOR ROOM TO GROW

The Dewan family -- Steven, his wife and two young daughters --

moved to Costa Mesa more than eight years ago and settled into a

modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom house on Broadway.

They said they bought the lot with the intention of remodeling, a

feeling affirmed by the camaraderie among their neighbors that

convinced them to stay in the area.

Dewan, an architect who specializes in residential design, studied

more than 20 concepts, created a plan within the existing guidelines

and made a dedicated effort to meet with 50 households in the area

for feedback.

Their initial request was denied by city zoning administrator

Perry Valantine. Although it met all the standards, it did not fall

within Valantine’s estimation of harmony and compatibility because of

where the second story was going to be built -- over the breezeway

between the Dewans’ home and their garage, which would affect the

neighbors’ back yards.

That denial was appealed by Councilman Gary Monahan. The Planning

Commission then unanimously approved the plan, an approval appealed

by Councilman Chris Steel. On Tuesday, the council approved the

expansion 4-0, with Mayor Karen Robinson absent.

CHARM OF THE EASTSIDE

Eastside residents say the area’s charm comes from its premium on

open space.

“What I think we value about the Eastside over other areas is,

it’s one of the few areas where you have large front yards and large

back yards and haven’t had that large mansionization, like in Newport

Heights,” said Dana Halle, who lives on 18th Street.

The Halles are in a situation similar to the Dewans’, with three

kids of their own in a three-bedroom house. But they were concerned

that the Dewans’ design did not mesh with the neighborhood.

“We need more space, [too], but the character of the neighborhood

seems to be incompatible with this,” Bill Halle said Tuesday. “I’m

uncomfortable opposing the project, but it could put [us] on the path

to the Newport Heights area.”

Other residents said that if the council had denied the expansion,

it would have sent a message to young families that they are not

welcome in Costa Mesa.

“We moved back to Costa Mesa because we wanted to grow our

family,” John Cornuke said. “I would hate to have the message that

the city discourages that.”

The controversy with the Dewans’ remodel also exposed the burdens

that the current design guidelines impose on residents, who have to

go through a subjective design review. The guidelines are being

examined by city staff.

Many residents expressed their support for letting property owners

to do as they like with their expansions as long as they are within

the guidelines, without having to go through the approval process.

“I do not support the diminishment of property owners through

restrictive zoning,” said Margaret Taylor, whose mother lives next

door to the Dewans.

Also most expansions improve the neighborhood as a whole by

increasing property values, said Robert Milliken, a neighbor of the

Dewans’ and a real estate agent who specializes in selling properties

on the Eastside.

The lengthy City Hall process can also be avoided, said Chris

Blank, who has lived in Costa Mesa for the past 14 years.

Blank suggested that neighbors of residents who want to add a

second story also have rights and can exercise those rights if they

don’t like a particular design by negotiating with the owner and

purchasing his right to expand.

“That can be enforced legally without any rigmarole,” Blank said.

While the Dewans’ proposal had the most direct effect on their

neighbors, residents from all around the vicinity chimed in. By the

time their plan got to the City Council, they had received 65 letters

of support and eight in opposition.

With all that input, some residents suggested the city should give

more weight to residents closest to the property.

“How about a map recognizing where the input for and against is

coming from?” Doug Sutton said. “Maybe you should prioritize [the

opinion] of the homes in the immediate area.”

EASTSIDE NOT ANOTHER

NEWPORT HEIGHTS

Councilman Gary Monahan, who lives on the Eastside, said he does

not believe that his neighborhood is turning into another Newport

Heights.

“I think there’s plenty of room for growth,” Monahan said. “We’re

talking some pretty big lots on much of [the area]. The Dewans is an

example. The open space left over is more than double what you’d find

in any place, including Newport Heights.”

But Monahan said more can be done to make the city hospitable to

growing families.

“We’re working on it,” Monahan said. “I think once our standards

get set and people can build what’s allowed in the code by right

rather than subjective approval, that will be a huge step.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].