ON THE AGENDA Here are some of...

ON THE AGENDA

Here are some of the issues the Planning Commission will consider

today.

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

The applicant requests a permit to establish a martial arts school

in an existing industrial complex at 775 W. 17th St. The applicant

chose this site instead of a commercial site because this site

already has a large open area that would work well for the studio.

Staff has determined that there is enough parking for this use.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Staff recommends approval. “I visited the site,” Chairman Bruce

Garlich said. “It seems to be noncontroversial. I think it will get

approved, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

TOWN CENTER DRIVE MASTER PLAN

This is a conceptual plan for the improvement of the portion of

Town Center Drive between Park Center Drive and Avenue of the Arts as

a pedestrian-oriented, public plaza linking the major arts venues

with the South Coast Plaza Town Center Theater Arts District. The

plan is the result of a design focus group conducted in November

2002. Participants included major stakeholders -- Orange County

Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory -- city staff and a

support consultant team. The plan provides for vehicle drop-off and

valet parking areas, a pedestrian crosswalk and a central public

plaza. A major goal is to create a unified “Arts Campus” through the

development of a significant public space, while maintaining adequate

access to developments north and south of Town Center Drive.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Staff recommends approval since the improvements have been

designed to provide a major public space without sacrificing access

and circulation requirements.

SPECIFIC PLAN CHANGE

This would incorporate the Theater and Arts District Plan into the

North Costa Mesa Specific Plan. The applicants are the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory, CommonWealth Partners

and South Coast Plaza. Staff has been working with the affected

landowners over the past several months to define and develop the

Theater Arts District Plan. The first draft was submitted in January

2003 with a second draft in March 2003. The plan contains elements

such as public right-of-way improvements, private improvements and

special events.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Staff recommends approval since the plan is required by the three

applicants’ development agreements for the South Coast Plaza Town

Center area. The plan would create physical improvements and a

marketing program to improve the identity of this area as a major

arts venue. But staff does have some concern about proposed

improvements to the public right-of-way in terms of implementation

and funding.

“I have some problems with the [plan],” Garlich said. “There are

some things that are missing, some inconsistencies between what’s

written in the development agreements and the plan ... I don’t want

to send a plan to the council that’s in the shape that this one is in

right now. I’d rather we try to work out those issues as best as we

can.”

-- Compiled by Deirdre Newman