Commentary: Do not let density become Costa Mesa’s legacy

The high-density development explosion in Costa Mesa cannot be viewed in a piecemeal fashion. When examined in its entirety, it is clear that someone must stand up and advocate for a much more reasonable approach to development, and I believe I am that someone.

Projects such as East Haven, the Colleen Island annexation, the 240-unit apartment complex at 125 E. Baker St. and the Westside developments collectively will add traffic and congestion to the 55 Freeway and other major thoroughfares.

This added traffic means residents’ commutes will be longer, lessening family time. What was a 10-minute commute could become 20 minutes. Along with the added traffic, more noise and light pollution will invade neighborhoods that are now serene.

Too much development also aggravates the city’s shortage of playing fields the understaffing at the Police Department. Certain members of the council continue to throw gasoline (more development) on the fire instead of extinguishing its flames. Sound politicians fix problems before moving on to the next issue.

The question needs to be asked: Who has priority in a neighborhood? Should established residents, who have proudly invested in their homes and maintained an outstanding community, be forced to deal with increased noise and traffic congestion? Should we increase the number of students in our schools and tip the student-teacher ratio in a negative direction? We have been continually told that Costa Mesa is “built out” and will have to look at other development options, such as building up and increasing lot density.

Why do we have to build?

The criterion for progress isn’t just development. A city that doesn’t have a traffic problem is progress. A city with clean, quiet neighborhoods is progress. A city with an adequate police force is progress.

A city can be improved by means other than more high-density development. For example, the city could be improved by eliminating cut-through traffic, creating clean and safe parks, adding bike lanes and community gardens, and making sure streets are safe to cross.

Costa Mesa’s reputation and brand should not be that of a built-out and overly congested city. The obvious selling point for retaining families is having peaceful neighborhoods.

Before there is more high-density development, I suggest we address the problem of too little parking. Most of the projects lack sufficient parking, which will result in cars being parked on streets. Shorter and non-existent driveways push cars onto streets. Streets are a shared public space, belonging to pedestrians, bicycles, baby strollers and wheelchairs.

I feel compelled to stand up and advocate for a much more reasonable approach to development. Costa Mesa deserves a strong voice that will defend it from developers. I am running for Costa Mesa City Council so that I can be that voice.

Costa Mesa resident CHRIS BUNYAN is a candidate for Costa Mesa City Council.