COSTA MESA

The City Council has denied a rehearing request from the Lease Outlet, which wants to sell cars on its Newport Boulevard site. The Planning Commission and City Council have both previously denied the request of owners Martina Rau and John Cotcher to sell cars at their business on Newport Boulevard. Historically, all car sale lots have been on Harbor Boulevard.

Rau and Cotcher argue that 95% of their business comes from leasing cars, which are not stored at the site. The cars kept on-site belong to customers and are sold by the Lease Outlet as a service, the owners have said. Since the City Council’s denial, the Lease Outlet has been cited for improper motor vehicle sales. Rau said she will continue to challenge the city’s decision as well as the citation.