Habitat project too much for neighborhood Regarding...

Habitat project too much for neighborhood

Regarding the Habitat for Humanity proposal to build eight homes

in Costa Mesa, it is important to note that nearby residents are

opposing the Habitat low-income proposal for the same reasons that we

opposed a project of expensive homes on the same parcel a couple

years ago: too many people, too many cars, not enough parking and

removal of the one meager mitigation our street received for the

continuing disturbances coming from Home Depot and the closing off of

Wake Forest Road to through traffic.

The wall and berm between Home Depot and College Drive were an

integral and important part of the Harbor Center plan approved by the

City Council, and it would be hard to accept the removal of any of

this protection for Home Depot’s long-suffering neighbors.

Adding to the aggravation of ongoing noise, Habitat will impose a

construction period of 18 months, including Saturdays, with all

activity coming through our residential streets. Requests for the

same kind of protection the previous prospective builder offered have

been refused.

Add to this the fact that the parcel suggested is a lousy place to

live. Imagine this real estate ad: “This property is nestled snugly

within 14-foot-high, prison-like walls and mere feet from the

entertainment of dropping pallets, back-up beepers and air brakes.

The percussion of regularly circling helicopters reverberating from

the 14-foot walls will enhance the quiet enjoyment of your homes.”

No for the sake of the current neighbors, and no for the sake of

prospective residents. The city must protect its residents, and

Habitat must protect its clients.

TAMAR GOLDMANN

Costa Mesa

A neighborly welcome for Humanity homes

We have been dismayed by the ignorance and negativity of some of

the letters to the Daily Pilot opposing the proposed Habitat for

Humanity housing project. As residents of College Park and supporters

of Habitat, we welcome the idea of the project.

Habitat for Humanity has a proven record of practically and

successfully implementing the biblical command to “love your neighbor

as yourself.”

We believe that if the project is approached by all with an open,

problem-solving attitude, it can turn out to be a boon for Costa Mesa

and provide high-quality housing for some deserving families in a

fine neighborhood.

PAUL AND SHERRY EKLOF

Costa Mesa

Draft environmental report is defective

The draft environmental report for the luxury resort hotel at

Marinapark is fatally flawed, as the traffic analysis in the appendix

restricted its analysis to seven intersections, starting with Newport

Boulevard and 32nd Street and proceeding northward to the

intersection of Newport Boulevard and Hospital Road.

This specifically eliminated from the traffic analysis

intersections from 30th Street toward Balboa Boulevard and continuing

easterly to the end of Balboa and Ocean boulevards.

In other words, all of the Balboa area of the peninsula was

eliminated from consideration, thereby fatally flawing the traffic

analysis.

DOUGLAS M. WOOD

Balboa Peninsula

Other finalist deserved Newport council seat

I was shocked when I read in the paper last week that the Newport

Beach City Council had selected Leslie Daigle when they clearly,

clearly all agreed that Barry Eaton was the more knowledgeable of all

the candidates running. Why in heaven’s name would they appoint

someone who is not as knowledgeable and I do not think can be as

effective to the City Council? It just blows my mind.

I’m just disappointed with the city’s decision. I don’t think

they’re looking out for the best interests of their constituents,

when they could have clearly gotten a candidate who is extremely

knowledgeable, very well-qualified, knows governmental affairs, and

they choose a woman to take Gary Adams’ seat. I don’t know what her

qualifications are, but according to the article in the paper, all

the City Council people agreed Eaton was the most knowledgeable. Why

they didn’t appoint him, I can’t understand. It’s stupid, in my

opinion, to have them do such a thing.

ESTHER FINE

Newport Beach