Cities Index.
5. Planning Commission Public Comments

Costa Mesa City Council
October 17, 2023

Document
5. Planning Commission Public Comments
Meeting
October 17, 2023
Body
Costa Mesa City Council
Original file
4.4 MB
Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on costamesa.legistar1.com. That file is the official record.

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ATTACHMENT 5
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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 10:44 AM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: Marijuana dispenser

From: chris Ford <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 8:35 PM
To: PC Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: Marijuana dispenser

To whom it may concern, to protest this negative issue for our city of Costa Mesa.

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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 10:44 AM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: Pot Store

-----Original Message-----
From: Jean Klug <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 6:21 PM
To: PC Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: Pot Store

VOTE NO…… WE DO NOT NEED MORE STORES OF THIS KIND. THERE ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH IN COSTA MESA. IS THIS THE IMAGE WE WANT TO PORTRAY FOR OUR CITY? NO MORE! CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.
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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 10:08 AM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: cannabis shop on Mesa Verde Dr

From: OOSTERHOF, NAOMI <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 7:06 AM
To: DRAPKIN, SCOTT <[email protected]>
Cc: PARTIDA, ANNA <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: cannabis shop on Mesa Verde Dr

This comment came through the “planninginfo” email.

Thank you!!!

“The City of Costa Mesa serves our residents, businesses and visitors while promoting a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community.”

City Hall is open to the public 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and alternating Fridays, except specified holidays. Appointments can be made online at www.costamesaca.gov/appointments.

Costa Mesa is launching a new permit and license processing system called TESSA in August. TESSA will replace our existing system and all land use, building and business license applications currently in process will be transferred to the new system. To learn more about TESSA, visit our FAQ page at https://www.costamesaca.gov/tessa.

The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without a written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future

From: Bev Farley <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 3:50 PM
Naomi Oosterhof
City of Costa Mesa – Development Services Department
77 Fair Drive | Costa Mesa | CA 92626
Office: (714) 754-5245
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2 To: PLANNING INFO <[email protected]>
Subject: cannabis shop on Mesa Verde Dr

I rec'd the public notice for a possible cannabis shop to be set up at 1505 Mesa Verde Dr E. The description in the notice says "request for a conditional use permit". In my mind that means that at the meeting set for August 14, 2023, we, the public, have a minute to tell the commission whether or not, or why we do or not want the business at that location. Imagine my surprise when in yesterdays, Tuesday, Aug 8th, mail, I rec'd a pamphlet notifying me of the new cannabis shop opening at 1505 Mesa Verde Dr E! If you have already granted them a permit, why have the meeting? What you have not taken in to account is the traffic. Harbor and Mesa Verde Dr E is a very busy corner. There are only 6 parking spaces and 3 handicapped spaces in front of those shops. The 6 regular spots are very often filled with cars for the beauty salons and they are very often the elderly. Cars trying to turn left after coming out of that small parking area are going to cause commotion and probably accidents. We already have cars coming out of 7-11 that want to turn left. I live across from the shopping center and so I see the traffic on a daily basis and how many cars are honking because of the almost accidents. This will just add to the mix.

I'm disappointed at the commission for letting us think that we had a voice when we do not.

Beva Farley
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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Monday, May 8, 2023 10:05 AM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: Application No. PA-22-05

From: Roxy Guzman <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 8, 2023 9:58 AM
To: PC Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: Application No. PA‐22‐05

Regarding this request for this business.

The idea of permitting another cannabis store in this neighbor is absolutely no need or wanted.

1. A new cannabis store just opening at Harbor and Mesa Verde “Stiiizy”.

2. This location “Onnyx” proposing is a known area for homeless to gather.

3. Parking is already a problem.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Concerned Neighbor

Sent from Mail for Windows

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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Monday, May 8, 2023 10:57 AM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: PA-22-05

From: John . Kathy Holden <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 8, 2023 10:56 AM
To: PC Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: PA‐22‐05

To the Costa Mesa Planning Commission:

My wife and I are writing to respectfully request that you decline this cannabis application PA‐22‐05. On April 8, 2023 you approved application PA‐22‐42 which is another cannabis retail located around the corner just 200 yards away. Both are across the street from Azulon (1500 Mesa Verde East) a senior residential community.

Mesa Verde East at Harbor is becoming a major gathering point for homeless as well a street where reckless motorcycle and speeding cars show off. This application location is also next door to a liquor store and could possibly inc rease the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

My wife and I have lived at Azulon for over six years and strongly oppose this application. We are concerned for the hair salons that would be displaced and the employees that would lose their source of income if this application is approved.

Many of the senior residents at Azulon utilize these hair salons.

Thank you for your consideration,

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father and the Peace of His Holy Spirit be with you always ❤

John and Kathy Holden
John 3:16

Ephesians 1:3‐8

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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 1:21 PM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: Application PA-22-05

From: John and Kathy Holden <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:55 PM
To: PC Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: Application PA-22-05

Planning Commission

Firstl, thank you all for your public service. We know you are trying your best to do what is right for the people in our community. I love this quote from Jannette Oke “Those who are employed in public stations ought to be very sensible of the weight and importance of their work and their own insufficiency for it, and then they are qualified for receiving divine instruction by seeking wisdom from God. Please take a minute to consider this.

My wife Kathy and I live in Azulon senior apartments across the street for this proposed location. We do not want this application to be approved. We are blessed to live in a city focused on public safety. We never received notification of this proposal or the previous one that was tabled in June and has now appeared again. We understand this is a legal business in California and are dismayed by the number of young adults using Vape Pipes and cannabis edibles coming in and out of the current business (STIIIZY) just around the around the corner from the proposed location and getting into their cars. One in particular appeared to be in an altered state of mind.

This seems to have become an epidemic with people doing what they think is right in their own mind without consideration for anyone else. It is a very sad state of affairs when our first responders must carry Narcan to offset the opioids that are often laced in the cannabis. Considering Public Safety, it doesn’t seem reasonable to have a cannabis shop on every block in Costa Mesa. Weighing the cities need for additional tax revenue with the detrimental impact to its citizens is paramount. When considering the approval of application PA-22-05 please evaluate the following regarding serving the public and keeping the public safe.

1. This location is directly across the street from approximately 400 senior citizens.

2. This location currently has businesses that will be displaced or shuttered.

3. The proposed location is approximately 500 yards from another Cannabis business (STIIIZY) which the planning Commission just approved in April of 2023.

4. Location is next to a liquor store - Plaza Wine and Spirits.

5. There are homeless and mentally impaired population in the area.

6. Reckless driving and motor cycles showing off at night on Mesa Verde East.

7. Irrational behaviors of drivers who are using cannabis with potential addiction and use of other drugs.

Thank you for your consideration and we pray for Gods leading you to do what is right.

John and Kathy Holden

May the God of Peace equip
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2 you for every good work,
Heb 13:20

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1 HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
From: PARTIDA, ANNA
Sent: Monday, May 8, 2023 9:41 AM
To: HALLIGAN, MICHELLE
Subject: FW: Opposition to the Proposed Cannabis Storefront in Our Community at 1505 Mesa Verde Dr. E.

From: C. Lesgas <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 7, 2023 10:13 PM
To: PC Public Comments <[email protected]> Subject: Opposition to the Proposed Cannabis Storefront in Our Community at 1505 Mesa Verde Dr. E.

Dear Planning Commission,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my opposition to the Conditional Use Permit to allow a can nabis
storefront to operate in our community. As a resident of Costa Mesa, raising my kids and family, I believe that allowing a cannabis storefront to operate in a family friendly neighbors, could jeopardize the overall well‐being in our community.

To put this matter in context, the location of the store is in  very close proximity to schools, pre‐schools, child‐friendly public space, senior living community and thriving independently owned small businesses.

While I understand that cannabis has been legalized in our state for both medicinal and recreational purposes, it is essential to consider the potential negative conseq
uences such a store may have on our community.

Firstly, I am concerned about the potential increase in crime rates that may come with the presence of a cannabis storefront. Despite its legality, there is still a significant stigma associated with cannabis use, and this may attract criminal elements to our community. Moreover, the cash‐ intensive nature of these businesses presents a higher risk of robberies and other crimes, which could threaten the safety of our residents and local businesses.

Secondly, I am concerned about the potential impact on our children's education and well‐being. With a cannabis storefront in close proximi
ty, it may be easier for minors to access the drug, leading to increased usage among our youth. Studies have shown that cannabis use during adolescence can have long‐term effects on cognitive function, memory, and learning abilities. We must prioritize the educational success and well‐being of our children and consider how
the presence of a cannabis store could potentially harm their future.

In addition, the potential normalization of cannabis use within our community may have unintended consequences on public health. While there are documented health benefits for certain medical conditions, regular recreational use can lead to increased risk of mental health issues,
such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. As a community, we should strive to promote healthy lifestyles and choices for our residents, and the opening of a cannabis storefront could potentially send the wrong message.

Furthermore, I believe that the opening of a cannabis store may have a negative impa ct on the overall image and reputation of our community. Our town has always been known for its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and safe neighborhoods. The presence of a cannabis storefront may deter potential residents and businesses from settling in our area and could ultimately lead to a decline in  property values.

In conclusion, I urge you to carefully consider the potential negative consequences of allowing a cannabis storefront in our community. While I understand the potential economic benefits that such a business may bring, we must weigh -24-
2 these against the potential risks to our residents' safety, our children's education, public health, and our community's overall reputation.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I hope that you will take my concerns and those of our community members into account when making your decision on this proposal.

Sincerely,

Charles Lesgas, Costa Mesa Resident.

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