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Public nuisance could have broader definition in Costa Mesa

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The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday will consider an ordinance designed to take on problem properties.

The public nuisance abatement ordinance would expand the city’s ability to cite property owners for conditions such as hoarding, disruptive noise or excessive crime, according to a staff report.

Right now, the city’s code limits its nuisance abatement ability to only property maintenance issues, the report stated.

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In addition to expanding the definition of what is a public nuisance, the new ordinance details an inspection and appeals process.

Council members originally considered the ordinance in June when it met stiff opposition from public speakers and one council member questioned whether it ran afoul of 4th Amendment rights.

At that meeting, council members asked that the ordinance be brought back for further consideration at a later date.

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Fairview Park appeal

Council members will also decide whether to hear an appeal of a commission’s decision about a parking lot at Fairview Park.

Last month, Costa Mesa’s Parks and Recreation Commission OK’d the design of a 10-space parking lot at the end of Pacific Avenue.

At that meeting, 21 members of the public spoke out against the plan.

Councilwoman Sandy Genis has asked her fellow council members to review the commission’s decision, citing concerns such as the lot’s effect on park resources, its impact on the surrounding community and its consistency with the master plan.

If a majority agrees to grant the appeal, the issue would be brought back for a hearing at a later date.

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Model Engineers user agreement

A Fairview Park user agreement for the Orange County Model Engineers is also on the agenda.

A 25-year user agreement for the nonprofit, which operates five miles of model-train tracks at the park, is expiring this fall, according to a staff report.

OCME asked for a 25-year extension to mirror its previous agreement, but the council will be considering a one-year extension instead as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The regular council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, 77 Fair Drive.

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