COSTA MESA

The City Council last week upheld the Planning Commission’s decision not to allow the Lease Outlet, at Newport Boulevard and Commercial Way, to display cars in front of the business.

John Cotcher, president of the Lease Outlet, said he was seeking a permit so he could provide a service to leasing customers by displaying their old cars for sale. He said he does not make a profit.

Other business owners said Cotcher is running a used-car lot that just doesn’t fit in with the mostly marine-oriented area. Councilman Joe Erickson said the applicant would have been in better shape if he had been forthright. “In my opinion, it is a used-car lot,” Erickson said. “It just wasn’t what he said it was going to be. His entire lot was covered with cars for sale.”

Cotcher said 95% of his business comes from leasing vehicles and the majority of transactions are done by phone or fax. Those cars are delivered directly to customers. The only cars on the lot are used cars that he sells for customers and “sample” cars from dealers.

Cotcher said he intends to keep the cars on the lot while he pursues legal action.