-- Compiled by Lolita Harper
Here are some of the decisions made at Monday's Costa Mesa City
Council meeting.
U-HAUL STORAGE
WHAT HAPPENED: The City Council denied a request from a local business
owner to store U-Haul rentals on his Newport Boulevard property.
Eugene Chan, the owner of a small storage facility, presented his case
-- for the third time -- to store up to six trucks on his property,
saying it would be more convenient for his customers to be able to load
and park their cars at the storage facility. Chan reduced the number to
four U-Haul trucks because of space concerns.
His concession, however, did not sway three council members and his
request was narrowly denied -- an action that was met by boos from a
spirited council audience.
On Oct. 15, council members upheld the Planning Commission's decision
to deny Chan a permit to store six trucks at his storage facility at 2458
Newport Blvd. Council members said the large rental trucks were not
appropriate for the site, which runs along an alley. Councilwoman Karen
Robinson was concerned about room for emergency vehicles if up to six
trucks were parked behind the storage units.
Chan was not at the Oct. 15 City Council meeting because he said he
was misinformed about the starting time, so he was granted a rehearing by
the council so he could be present.
During his rehearing Monday, photographs of his business were shown,
sparking Councilwoman Libby Cowan to question if his sign was legal.
Councilman Gary Monahan reminded the council how hard it was to
develop that area of Newport Boulevard until Chan devised a workable
solution to develop the land.
WHAT IT MEANS: Chan will not be allowed to store any U-Haul vehicles
on his property.
VOTE: 3 to 2 to deny his request.
WHAT WAS SAID: Monahan, who owns a local restaurant and bar,
sympathized with Chan, saying he understood that customer convenience was
essential to an increase in business.
"If I don't have hamburgers on my menu and my customers ask me for
hamburgers, I'm going to do my best to give them what they want," he
said.
JIM'S TOWING
WHAT HAPPENED: Council members unanimously upheld the Planning
Commission's decision to allow Jim's Towing to add an impound yard, but
they added a few more conditions to ensure compatibility with neighbors.
The council allowed what was described as a "glorified parking lot" as
long as no structures were built, the additional land was landscaped to
match the rest of the property and that the owners of Jim's Towing work
