REZONE APPLICATION The council will consider rezoning...

REZONE APPLICATION

The council will consider rezoning a property at 2436 Newport

Blvd. from business to multi-family, medium-density residential. The

new zoning, if approved, would allow a maximum of 10 units on the

site.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Planning staff members recommend approving the rezone since it

would provide more homeownership opportunities in the city. They

would prefer the development be attached homes, like condominiums, as

opposed to single-family detached homes because the area is so

commercial. Detached homes would result in an isolated residential

development surrounded by motel uses and apartments.

NEW REVENUE SOURCES

The council will consider four new revenue sources: a sanitation

franchise fee, a fire-medical subscription fee, an increase in the

business-license tax and an increase in the transient occupancy tax.

Any increase in the two taxes would require a city-wide vote.

The business-license tax rate -- a maximum of $200 regardless of

gross receipts -- has not changed for more than 20 years. Similarly,

the transient-occupancy tax rate of 6% has not changed for more than

22 years. Costa Mesa is one of only three cities in the county that

doesn’t assess a sanitation franchise fee. The fire-medical

subscription fee would be voluntary and is intended to improve the

quality of emergency medical services.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Director of Finance Marc Puckett recommends the council consider

implementing all four new revenue sources at a moderate level so the

city stays competitive and doesn’t place too much pressure on any one

part of the community. Puckett specifically recommends the council

put into place the sanitation franchise fee and the fire-medical

subscription fee in the near future by directing staff to work with

the associated groups on the structure of the new revenue and return

to the council within four months for action.

For the increase in the two taxes, Puckett recommends putting them

on the ballot on the first available election date in 2005.

MOSQUITO AND FIRE ANT ASSESSMENT

The council will consider an assessment by the Orange County

Vector Control District, which protects public health by controlling

flies, mosquitoes and other similar threats. In April, the district’s

board voted to go ahead with a benefit assessment countywide to

support programs targeting the West Nile virus and the imported red

fire ant.

Costa Mesa would be charged a total of about $477 for 88 parcels.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council will have to weigh paying the assessment with the fact

that the city already has contracts and personnel for pesticide

application based on the major amount of property under city

ownership.