Commission sets lot-size standards

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- The Planning Commission approved a new set of codes this

week that would establish a 3,500-square-foot minimum lot size for houses

in the city, with an average lot size of 4,000 square feet.

The codes -- which would have a less restrictive minimum lot size

requirement than staff proposed -- must be approved by the City Council

before they are put into effect.

Not only are many houses in the city occupying lots smaller than the

proposed minimum, but more restrictive requirements would prevent some

odd-shaped lots -- such as the El Camino Shopping Center lot -- from

being developed at all, commissioners said.

“I wanted larger lot sizes, but I will support [smaller ones] because,

if we push for something too big, we’re going to end up with something

not compatible with the neighborhood at all,” Commissioner Katie Wilson

said. “I want to be sure we have [enough housing] while preserving the

look and feel of the neighborhood.”

If the City Council approves the proposed codes, which have been in

the works since June, they will require:

* bigger lot sizes;

* larger driveways;

* more off-street parking;

* more distance between main buildings;

* a more extensive review process for both new developments and

remodeling projects.

The revisions also would reduce the maximum building height, increase

the amount of landscaping required and require developers to follow

stricter architectural design standards, including having more variety in

building heights and roof forms, more offsets and building projections in

home facades and enhanced detailing.

In June, the council established a temporary moratorium on small-lot,

multifamily developments throughout the city in an effort to preserve the

Eastside’s neighborhood character.

Jeff Pratt, one of the owners of the El Camino Shopping Center, spoke

in favor of the scaled-down minimum lot-size requirement.

Pratt said the triangular shopping center, set for development into

medium-density housing, will be impossible to convert if the city adopts

a 3,500-square-foot minimum.

The council approved the project, backed by the Mesa Del Mar

Homeowners Assn., in December.