Citizens concerned about fate of garden

The Costa Mesa City Council took another step toward acquiring property at 523 Hamilton St., though much to the chagrin of some residents, the status of a popular community garden there remains unclear.

The city has been in talks with local developers Red Mountain Retail Group to purchase the land, which is bordered on all sides by property held by the group, since July. Mayor Eric Bever has expressed hope that the developer’s plans, which may include a Walgreens and several condos, will improve the parcel’s Westside neighborhood.

Recently, the City Council relinquished its right-of-way control over a five-foot sidewalk along the perimeter of the garden, saying that including it in the property sale would increase its purchase price and revenue for the city. City staff has been authorized to engage in talks with the developer, but there are no serious plans to finalize the property’s sale in the short-term.

While efforts to contact Red Mountain Vice President Eric Nelson were unsuccessful, he has previously acknowledged he would continue with the project regardless of the garden’s status, either working around it or demolishing the property.

The news has worried many local residents, who utilize the garden to play with their children, grow organic vegetables, and provide surplus to Share Our Selves. Despite Bever’s assurances that the board was not considering the status of the garden last week, local gardeners remain concerned that the cherished parcel will be demolished.

“The garden means a lot to me and my family,” said resident and Hamilton Street gardener Lynn Redman. “We live in a small condo with no room for a garden, and in addition to the vegetables and flowers, it’s a means of relaxation and exercise.”

The council has few options: Either sell the parcel outright, or make its purchase contingent on an agreement with the developer that they fund a similar green space somewhere else in the city.

“I think the community garden has been a tremendous asset to Westside Costa Mesa, and will continue to be, even if this developer builds around it,” Councilwoman Linda Dixon said. “Once open space is gone, it’s gone forever, and we can’t go back and recapture that.

“We have valuable little pockets in our community that serve a variety of our resident’s needs… and I hope when [this issue] comes in front of us, the council will keep this as a community garden.”

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at chris.caesar@latimes.com.