1. HOME RANCH FINALLY APPROVED: After 19 years, three project
proposals and a failed referendum campaign, all signs finally point to
the development of the last sizable piece of vacant land in Costa Mesa,
more commonly known as Home Ranch.
In November, the City Council overwhelmingly approved the Home Ranch
project, which calls for a flagship Ikea furniture store, 192
owner-occupied homes and a mix of commercial and industrial use. Included
in the package was a cool $2 million for Costa Mesa schools, $250,000 for
the historic Huscroft House and more than $8 million in traffic projects
to offset inevitable congestion.
"After months of listening and studying and talking to members of the
community, I believe this is a quality project that will be good for all
of Costa Mesa," Councilwoman Linda Dixon said.
Although the project was supported by four of five council members and
all planning commissioners, many residents said the latest incarnation
was still not the right project for the city. Opponents pointed to the
city's general plan -- which designates half the land be used for homes
and the other half for industrial buildings -- as a good model to follow
for development.
Costa Mesa Citizens for Responsible Growth and some vocal Westside
residents loudly opposed the Home Ranch project -- namely the Ikea store
-- saying it was much too big for the city.
The general plan "calls for lower density and more open space -- and
those are good things for Costa Mesa," opponent Robin Leffler said.
Opponents went as far as to organize a referendum campaign in the
hopes of gathering enough signatures to put the project on the ballot and
eventually overturn the council's decision. Many of these same residents
were instrumental in thwarting the two previous Home Ranch proposals, but
this year's effort came up short on names.
Barring any further legal challenge, the Segerstroms look to start
building on the former lima bean farm in the upcoming months.
2. BYE, BYE, COVE: The families who had fought so hard to keep their
slice of paradise waved a celebratory goodbye to Crystal Cove State Park
this year, as they held their annual Fourth of July party on the beach.
Those residents of 40 of the 46 beachfront cottages -- six had lain
vacant -- left their homes July 8, after agreeing to abide by eviction
notices sent out by California State Parks in the spring. It was an
historic day indeed.
The state, which bought the 3.5-mile coastline from the Irvine Co. for
