HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 - NB-1 - Attachment 2 - 1/21/2012ATTACHMENT
November 1, 2013
Mayor James Righeimer; and,
Members of the City Council
CITY OF COSTA MESA
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-1200
Subject: "Lighthouse" Single Family Homes
1620 1624 1644 Whittier Avenue
Mesa West Bluffs Urban Plan Screening
Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
We are pleased to submit "Lighthouse", a new single family housing tract to be built in
the Westside at the terminus of Whittier Avenue and West 16th Street. Responding to
the area's for sale housing needs, we are proposing to construct 89 "medium density"
single family detached homes to replace the deteriorated "Ametek Aerospace" buildings
abutting Banning Ranch in Newport Beach. The property is currently zoned General
Industrial and located in the Mesa West Bluffs Urban Plan overlay zone, which
encourages reuse of this land as an incentive for private reinvestment in Costa Mesa.
Rather than remaining a 1960's style manufacturing -industrial property, greatly in need
of new construction, a beautiful new development of ownership housing and live -work
units will be built with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean.
Ametek Aerospace is a Pennsylvania based public company with vast property holdings
across the country. Their Costa Mesa facility exceeded its useful lifespan, and
therefore, it was sold to us for redevelopment. Rather than replacing deteriorated
industrial buildings with another "big box" structure, good land plan dictates residential
reuse is far superior when considering the views across Banning Ranch and immediate
adjacency of a future Newport Mesa Elementary School on land owned by the District,
yet located on Banning Ranch.
"Lighthouse" will be an extraordinary infill project addressing the market needs for job
related housing in the middle of employers, business entrepreneurs, and a multitude of
business opportunities that will support these dwellings. Basically, this project is a
perfect example of "horizontal mixed-use" encouraging "live -work" in the Westside.
Fresh new "ownership" housing is in high demand as currently evidenced by the
immediate purchase of all first phase homes in "Seahouse", a similar mixed-use
housing community at the west end of 18th Street. Impressive sales are proving that
"small lot" fully deeded homes, with two or four bedrooms and double car garages and
ample guest parking, are an exciting alternative to more traditional homes on the
Westside. Furthermore, with the abundance of rental and manufactured housing in the
immediate area, detached ownership housing will clearly meet buyer needs.
—
Acquisition and master planning of this and an adjacent property has transpired over the
past eleven months. After multiple concept plans and designs, the plans for your
consideration reflect our belief that "medium density" detached housing is the right fit for
this property. While high density residential could be proposed, "Lighthouse" will have a
lesser impact on the local infrastructure and City services.
Our home designs reflect two distinctly different concepts. However, all will be three
stories with small roof decks for extraordinary views from Palos Verdes to Catalina
Island to Crystal Cove. Live -work units will take advantage of several "tech areas"
envisioned as outdoor gathering places with full WiFi connectivity. The project also
includes a large open recreational area in the center of the project, walking paths, a
garden and art area. Homes sizes will average 1,800 sf on the south half of the
property oriented towards 16th Street, and 2,150 sf on the north half oriented towards
Whittier Avenue.
"Lighthouse" represents the largest new home development on the Westside over the
past thirty years. Integrating this new product type, amongst business properties, is the
future of this coastal bluff community. To live, work, shop, and recreate, all within one
mile, is highly desirable to young professionals and active adults of all generations.
"Lighthouse" is leading the way to Costa Mesa. We look forward to working with City
staff, Planning Commission, and City Council, and attending your City Council meeting
to present the project.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Bryan G. Coggins
MW Bluffs Owner, LLC
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