January 21, 2025 Costa Mesa City Council Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, City Manager Raja Sethuraman, Director of Public Works 77 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Dear Members of the City Council, City Manager Farrell Harrison and Director Sethuraman: As you may recall, we sent you a letter last year setting out our goals for Costa Mesa in 2024. Today, we write to congratulate the city on the significant progress it has made to make our streets
better
for
everyone,
while
also
setting
out
new
goals
for
2025.
City Accomplishments in 2024 We were very excited to see the city take on a number of specific projects and reforms that have made
a
meaningful
difference.
These
include:
● Lowering speed limits on 30+ street segments, implementing AB 43 ● Installing leading pedestrian intervals at intersections throughout the city ● Closing the bike lane gap in front of Kaiser Elementary School ● Extending the Santa Ana Avenue bike lane south of E. 17th Street ● Making several bad intersections into four-way stops (California, Ogle, E. 18th, etc.) ● Launching Let’s Go Costa Mesa and the GOAT ● Planning for the Safe Routes to School Action Plan ● Securing a $305,000 CMPD grant to increase traffic safety ● Securing a $400,000 Federal grant to hold pedestrian safety festivals ● Reforming the city’s bicycle ordinances to address increased e-bike usage ● Hosting several bike rodeos throughout the city to educate riders on traffic safety ● Planting new trees and installed white bollards on Placentia bike lanes ● Organizing successful Walk- and Bike-to-School days ● Hosting Costa Mesa Grand Prix (Majestic Cycling) and earning a “bike-friendly city” moniker
from
the
Daily
Pilot
● Refurbishing many bus shelters and issuing an RFP for a new bus shelter contract ● Progressing plans for the Adams Avenue and Fairview Road projects ● Installing many bicycle racks in the public right-of-way and at city parks and facilities Congratulations to the City Council, City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, Public Works Director
Raja
Sethuraman,
Chief
of
Police
Ron
Lawrence
and
their
teams
for
these
wonderful
accomplishments,
and
thank
you
for
working
so
hard
to
make
Costa
Mesa
a
safer,
more
pleasant,
and
more
delightful
place
to
walk,
roll,
scoot,
bicycle,
ride
and
drive.
Costa Mesa City Council et. al. January 21, 2025 Page 2 Goals in 2025 That said, the work of making our streets better is never done. Here’s what we hope the city will enact
this
year:
1. Leverage our Pedestrian Opportunity Zones (POZs). The Circulation Element states that
POZs
are
“areas
where
the
City
will
pursue
street
enhancements
to
create
pedestrian-friendly
environments.”
We
urge
the
city
to
take
this
statement
seriously
.
Therefore,
we
call
on
the
city
to
disfavor
car-oriented
uses
such
as
new
drive-throughs
and
gas
stations
in
POZs,
which
work
against
the
city’s
mobility
goals.
We
also
urge
the
city
to
identify
intersections
in
the
POZs
to
prohibit
right-turns-on-red
and,
where
possible,
yield
left
turns.
Unaddressed,
these
traffic
patterns
allow
those
on
foot
or
bike
to get hit from three different directions while legally crossing at a signalized crosswalk. Further, studies suggest that up to half of drivers turning right do not even look for pedestrians or bicyclists, making these changes critical in the POZs.
2. Implement AB 413 (Daylighting). This state law went into effect on January 1, 2024 and
prohibits
the
stopping,
standing,
or
parking
of
a
vehicle
within
20 feet
of
the
vehicle-approach
side
of
a
marked
or
unmarked
crosswalk,
whether
or
not
the
curb
is
painted
red
.
We
recommend
that
the
city
conduct
outreach
to
drivers
regarding
this
new
law (see what Oxnard and San Rafael did), and select locations to implement physical barriers like bike racks or striping with fixed traffic delineator posts which will then further discourage fast-moving right-turn pockets.
3. Work to increase staffing and retention at CMPD to… We are particularly concerned that
the
CMPD
has
disbanded
its
DUI
unit
due
to
staffing
issues.
We
call
on
the
City
Manager
to
work
with
the
CMPD
to
ensure
this
critical
unit
is
reinstated
as
soon
as
possible.
Additionally,
so
long
as
we
solely
rely
on
a
high-attrition
body
of
sworn
law
enforcement
officers
to
handle
our
city’s
moving
violations,
we
are
going
to
struggle
to
enforce
run-of-the-mill
traffic
laws.
We
encourage
the
city
to
innovate
with
respect
to
traffic
enforcement,
including
considering
the
use
of
non-sworn
personnel
to
issue
low-level
traffic
and
parking
citations
and
to
free
up
sworn
officers
for
more
critical
tasks.
4. … more effectively enforce traffic and parking laws. This includes cars blocking traffic
(queuing
drive-throughs,
for
example),
cars
blocking
bike
lanes
(queuing
school
dropoff/pickup
lines,
for
example),
violations
of
the
parking
permit
program,
reckless
driving,
speeding,
and
red-light
running
.
Additionally,
we
ask
that
the
city
reconsider
its
stance
on
force
multipliers
like
red
light
and
speeding
cameras,
which
we
think
would
produce
equally
dramatic
and
positive
results.
5. Adopt modern and innovative land-use and parking policies. We urge the city to develop
a
more
liveable
Costa
Mesa
through
smart
land-use
policy
changes,
including:
activating
the
public
right-of-way
by
orienting
doors
and
windows
to
the
street;
removing
unscientific,
government-mandated
parking
requirements;
eliminating
FAR;
easing
DU/A
Costa Mesa City Council et. al. January 21, 2025 Page 3 and setback limitations; auditing the parking permit program to ensure it can address legitimate
parking
overflow
concerns;
adopting
innovative
development
rules,
such
as
tying
traffic
impact
fees
to
the
number
of
provided
parking
spaces
or
requiring
the
unbundling
of
parking
from
for-rent
units;
and
implementing
paid
street
parking
in
appropriate
commercial
areas,
like
Randolph
Ave
and
Permian
Way.
6. Move to phase 2 for protected bike lanes. The city has done a great job of creating new
Class
IV
separated
bike
lanes
using
K72
bollards
as
protection
for
cyclists.
We
believe
that
it’s
now
time
for
the
city
to
move
to
these
bike
lanes
to
the
next
phase,
following
the
lead
of
cities
like
Santa
Ana,
Irvine,
and
Long
Beach,
and
lay
the
groundwork
to
convert
them
to
concrete-protected
bike
lanes.
Long
Beach,
for
example,
has
gone
further
and
adopted
a
straight-to-permanent
approach
because
doing
so
is
more
cost-effective
than
continuously
replacing
bollards.
We
challenge
the
city
to
figure
out
how
we
can
reflect
our
city’s
commitment
to
active
transportation
and
vibrant
public
spaces
through
more
permanent
and
visually
appealing
design.
7. Utilize the Major Accident Investigations Team to analyze street infrastructure.
When
major
collisions
happen
or
when
people
are
seriously
hurt
or
killed
on
our
streets,
all
factors
contributing
to
these
events
should
be
analyzed.
We
call
on
the
city
to
expand
the
mandate
of
the
Major
Accident
Investigations
Team
to
include
an
examination
of
the
infrastructure
factors
involved
in
a
collision
in
addition
to
the
primary
cause
of
the
crash.
This
analysis
should
include
a
formal
report
of
these
findings
to
the
Public
Works
Department
and
the
City
Council.
Not
only
will
being
proactive
about
high-profile
incidents
show
that
the
city
is
responsive,
but
it
will
also
insulate
the
city
from
negligence
claims
by
instilling
a
culture
of
constant
evaluation
and
improvement.
Once again, the city made great strides in improving our streets in 2024. We look forward to continued
progress
in
2025
and
beyond.
Sincerely,
The Board of the Costa Mesa Alliance for Better Streets Alec Daigle Kathryn Hoist Mike Lingle Flo Martin David Martinez Ralph Taboada Jenn Tanaka Russell Toler Marc Vukcevich CC: Brett Atencio Thomas ([email protected]) Brenda Green ([email protected])
From: Joel and Rose-Ellen
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Objection to approval of conditional use permit for Westend Bar Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 1:27:31 PM
I am an owner/partner in two businesses in the Vista Shopping Center.
I object to the approval of the conditional use permit for the Westend Bar.
The removal of parking spaces will leave only one parking space for the business.
Because the Westend Bar will provide no parking, you are assuming free access to the parking lot of the Vista Shopping Center across 19th Street by the patrons of the bar with no permission of the owners of this private property. The parking lot of Vista Shopping Center is for the CUSTOMERS of the businesses in the Vista Center. It is not a public parking lot.
In November I inspected the Vista Center Property. I watched for a 30 minute period . I observed 5 cars and 8 people park in the Vista Center lot and jaywalk across 19th Street, ignoring the signs prohibiting non-customer parking. They all walked into the Westend bar.
To approve this conditional use permit without addressing the parking and the unauthorized use of the Vista Parking lot by the patrons of the Westend Bar will cost us expenses we should not have to bear. Increased liability insurance costs, increased parking lot security costs to prevent unauthorized and misuse of the privately owned Vista Parking lot. There will be bad neighborhood feelings when non-customer cars are towed. I repeat. The owners of the Vista Center have not given any permission or authorization for use of our parking lot by the patrons of the Westend Bar.
I urge you to reject this conditional use permit until the Westend Bar solves its own parking problem by providing its own parking facilities within 100-200 feet of their business.
Thank you for your consideration,
Rose-Ellen Leonard
From: Michael
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: West End
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 8:21:10 AM
Dear Costa Mesa City Council,
I’d like to take a moment to shine a light on West End Restaurant, one of Costa Mesa’s standout dining spots. Its eclectic vibe, exceptional cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere make it a true reflection of our city’s vibrant spirit.
The menu at West End is always impressive, with dishes that showcase creativity and a commitment to quality. The staff adds to the experience, making every visit enjoyable and memorable. It’s a place where Costa Mesa’s unique energy comes alive, bringing people together in a space that feels both exciting and inclusive.
West End embodies the eclectic charm that sets our city apart, and I hope we can continue to support businesses like this that add so much to our community.
Thank you for your time and for all you do to support local businesses.
Sincerely,
Michael Geraghty
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kylee Floodman
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: West End Letter of Support
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 11:04:15 AM
Dear Costa Mesa City Council,
Ahead of tonight’s city council meeting, I wanted to reach out in support of the approval of Westend‘s agenda item.
Westend is a true example of Costa Mesa‘s spirit of being inclusive, creative and a genuine community. Since the reopening about a year and a half ago, I feel all who have visited Westend both before their closure and after can wholeheartedly say there has been an impressive
shift in the level of excellence, professionalism and responsibility of being a Costa Mesa business, all while maintaining their brand, unique vibe and commitment to excellent service, food and drinks.
Westend’s proposal to continue to grow in a way that embodies the spirit of Costa Mesa is one that I would love to see the City Council support. There are not many businesses that are still able to provide a space for expression, artistry, and community the way that West End does and is hoping to do through their expansion.
Westend is an example of a small business that has done everything they can to stay alive through the challenges during the pandemic and post. This expansion helps ensure a small business in Costa Mesa can continue to thrive and create a welcome space for the community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
Kylee
From: Chelsea Jarrell
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: West End Costa Mesa
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:09:35 AM
To the City Council of Costa Mesa,
Hello,
As a long time patron of this establishment, I’m writing this in support and the community which it fosters.
This restaurant is more than a place where you come in to grab a bite to eat. If you have been lucky enough to have experienced West End before, it’s a special place for people to come together and share.
Small businesses are the heart and pulse of our community. To me, my family and friends, West End has always been a fantastic gem to share laughter and a warm meal. The staff there has always been enjoyable and brought much comfort and amazing atmosphere. The food is fantastic, and the music, along with old timey pictures and records lining the walls serves as a reminder of the common thread between us all.
Thank you for your continued support of our beloved team of people who run this restaurant. They deserve every bit of it. In the recent fires West End has made it their duty to reach out to locals for donations and help for the needy. It is overwhelming how many people have come through and given their resources. This is because of trust and loyalty. I will continue to love the community there and remind you that we have to keep working together as much as possible for the benefit fo somewhere as special as West End.
Thank You for your service and dedication.
Chelsea Jarrell
From: Tracy James
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Urgent! Westend Restaurant in Costa Mesa
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 11:21:45 AM
Dear Costa Mesa City Council,
It has come to my attention that the City might be trying to close Westend Restaurant in Costa Mesa. I'm shocked and dismayed!
Westend is an phenomenal addition to the Costa Mesa restaurant scene. It is such a warm, welcoming and unique environment that greatly compliments the entire area. The staff is warm, friendly and kind. The food and drinks are creative, amazing and delicious.
Westend also contributes to the community in other ways. Recently, they've even done what they can to help the LA fire victims by offering them food and collecting clothing and items for them.
I hope you can help this wonderful small business thrive! Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Tracy James
From: Dan Mages
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Support for Westend’s Entertainment Permit and Outdoor Seating Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 10:49:30 PM
Attachments: Video.mov
Dear City Counsil,
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the reinstatement of Westend’s entertainment permit and outdoor seating. Before its closure in 2020, Westend was my favorite spot in all of Orange County—a place where I connected with friends over memorable food, craft cocktails, and enjoyed its uniquely candle-lit, artsy atmosphere. It was a vibrant hub that brought life and energy to the community, offering a much-needed space for nightlife and social engagement.
Having lived in the area for nearly two decades, I can confidently say that the absence of Westend has left a noticeable void. Without its late-hour presence, the area has felt dull and lacking in character. Westend contributed greatly to the cultural and social fabric of our community, and its return is something I, along with many others, eagerly anticipate.
I urge the city council to uphold the ruling in favor of Westend’s entertainment permit and outdoor seating. Reviving this beloved venue would not only enrich our local social scene but also support the economic and cultural vitality of the area.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am truly excited and grateful for the opportunity to welcome Westend back into our community.
Best regards,
Dan Mages
PS I think you should be aware that their neighbor Semi Tropic Wine is doing all of the above already without an entertainment permit since they opened (live Jazz on Thursdays etc). See attached video.
From: anna ekstrand
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Regarding West End Restaurant
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 9:57:07 AM
Dear Costa Mesa City Council,
I’m writing to express my appreciation for West End Restaurant, one of the standout establishments in our city. This place has a special energy that truly captures the essence of Costa Mesa.
The food is consistently top-notch, blending creativity and quality in every dish. Beyond that, the staff creates an atmosphere that’s warm and inviting, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. West End isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a space where people come together to enjoy great food and great company.
Businesses like West End play a big role in what makes Costa Mesa such a wonderful place to live. I hope we can continue to support establishments like this that bring so much value to our community.
Thank you for your time and for your dedication to our city.
Best regards,
AnnA
WESTEND
814 W 19th St Costa Mesa, CA 92627 [email protected] January 2025 Dear Costa Mesa City Council members; Mayor John B Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, Mike Buley,
Loren
Gameros,
Jeff
Pettis,
Arlis
Reynolds,
Andrea
Marr,
City
Attorney;
Kimberly
Hall
Barlow
&
City
Manager;
Lori
Ann
Farrell
Harrison.
My name is Kayleigh Brunner, and I’m the operating partner of Westend Costa Mesa. I took on this role 2 months
prior
to
the
reopening
in
June
2023,
but
my
history
with
Westend
goes
back
much
further.
I’ve
been
a
proud
member
of
the
community
of
Costa
Mesa
since
2013,
and
have
been
with
Westend
since
2017.
Even
when
life
took
me
to
the
East
Coast
from
August
2019-August
2021,
my
heart
stayed
here.
When
the
opportunity
came
to
reopen
Westend
my
partner,
Tyler
Hertzske
and
I
with
our
shared
passion
for
Westend
and
our
City
of
the
Arts,
Costa
Mesa,
knew
we
had
to
make
it
happen.
The
community
we
had
built
over
the
years
brought
us
so
much
joy
and
purpose
and
we
were
so
excited
to
reopen,
and
then
June
2023,
we
were
open!
Before I get into anything else I want to start off by acknowledging that there have been some challenging times
in
Westend’s
history,
and
while
I
was
not
in
a
leadership
role
of
Westend
at
that
time,
I
am
taking
full
accountability
on
behalf
of
the
business.
I’ve
made
a
commitment:
over
the
past
year
and
a
half
since
the
reopen;
to
the
Westend
name,
the
community
and
neighborhoods
surrounding
us
and
the
city
of
Costa
Mesa
as
a
whole
to
ensure
that
we
set
a
higher
standard,
one
with
integrity,
accountability,
and
focus
on
safety,
one
that
has
no
tolerance
for
stepping
outside
of
the
guidelines
that
have
been
set
for
us
as
a
business.
We
hope
to
stay
and
continue
growing
in
Costa
Mesa,
as
we
are
committed
to
doing
so
,
we
understand
that
rebuilding
our
reputation
and
trust
with
the
community
and
our
City
leaders
must
remain
a
top
priority.
And yes we are a restaurant and a bar that is requesting extended hours, however that does not mean anything
will
change
on
our
end
with
respect
to
the
level
of
standards
we’ve
set
since
our
reopening
in
June
2023.
Despite financial challenges since reopening, the support of our community, staff, family, and friends has been
overwhelming.
It’s
pushing
us
to
keep
going
in
spite
of
the
challenges
and
difficulties
we
have
faced.
The
positive
feedback
we’ve
received
reminds
us
of
the
joy
and
purpose
Westend
brings
to
Costa
Mesa.
Upon reopening we quickly got to reconnect with our long-time patrons, some of them who have been supporting
us
since
day
1,
We
welcomed
new
faces
and
built
relationships
with
our
neighboring
businesses,
even
the
neighborhood
dogs
out
for
their
daily
walks
always
stop
to
say
hello
when
passing
by
us.
Westend
has
become
a
hub
for
connection,
support,
and
celebration,
and
for
that
we
are
deeply
grateful
for
the
love
and
positivity
that
fills
our
establishment.
You know as a business you’re doing something right, when something is broken or needs fixing and before
you
even
turn
around
one
of
your
customers
is
already
fixing
it
without
even
asking.
That
to
us
is
the
definition
of
community
and
that
is
what
we
are
all
about.
I know that our team as well as the patrons of Westend have been eager and praying that we can start doing
our
live
entertainment.
So
I’m
here
because
I
believe
live
music
and
extended
hours
would
allow
us
to
do
more
for
Costa
Mesa,
by
hosting
live
entertainment
like
art
shows,
comedy
nights,
karaoke,
live
bands
and
vinyl
dj.
These
things
are
not
just
about
boosting
business,
they’re
about
bringing
people
together,
giving
local
talent
a
platform
and
creating
a
vibrant
space
where
the
community
can
connect
and
thrive
together.
As a small business we are not a big corporation driven by only profits. We are regular working class people
trying
to
make
a
living
by
doing
what
we
love:
serving
our
community.
From
being
one
of
the
only
late
night
kitchen
in
the
area
that
isn’t
a
fast
food
service(
We
also
are
currently
working
hard
to
be
one
of
the
cleanest
eating
establishments
in
Orange
County,
and
are
in
transition
into
being
a
seed
oil
free
restaurant).
And
not
limited
to
but
also
supporting
our
local
artists
and
hosting
meaningful
events.
Westend
is
about
so
much
more
than
food
and
drinks.
It’s
about
people,
connection
and
giving
back.
To address and acknowledge the concerns about the limited parking and how this could potentially affect neighboring
businesses,
We
are
fortunate
to
have
secured
the
two
different
parking
lots
at
the
Electric
Bike
company
off
Placentia
Ave,
on
their
off
hours
which
will
provide
ample
parking
on
weekends
and
after
5pm
weekdays,
and
only
just
around
the
corner
from
us
with
the
proximity
being
under
500
feet
away
from
our
front
door.
And
we’ll
make
sure
to
include
clear
signage
and
directions
as
well
as
a
security
guard
on
site
to
keep
everyone
safe.
Lastly for any noise concerns we are lucky enough to have a team of musical and audio design professionals
that
can
ensure
the
project
for
live
music
and
outdoor
dining
is
done
properly
and
the
sound
is
contained
and
not
affecting
the
closest
residents
or
disturbing
the
public.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and hear my story. I hope you’ll consider allowing us to bring live
music
and
extended
hours
to
Westend.
It
would
mean
the
world
to
us
and
our
community.
I
look
forward
to
meeting
with
you.
With Gratitude, Kayleigh Brunner
Proud
small
business
owner
Westend
Costa
Mesa
From: Lexi Geraghty
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: 1/21/25 City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:59:03 AM
I’d like to take a moment to highlight West End Restaurant, a true treasure of Costa Mesa.
This exceptional dining spot not only offers an eclectic vibe and outstanding cuisine, but it also embodies the heart and soul of our city. West End’s warm, welcoming atmosphere perfectly captures the vibrant spirit of Costa Mesa, making it a standout in our community.
The menu is always a delight, featuring creative dishes crafted with the highest quality ingredients. But what really sets West End apart is its staff, whose genuine hospitality ensures that every visit is not only enjoyable but memorable. It’s a place where people come together, where our city’s unique energy comes alive, and where both locals and visitors feel at home.
Beyond being a top-notch restaurant, West End is also deeply committed to giving back to the community. Its charitable efforts and support for local causes further demonstrate its dedication to the people and places that make Costa Mesa so special.
West End truly embodies the eclectic charm and community spirit that define our city. Let’s continue to support businesses like West End that make Costa Mesa such an extraordinary place to live and thrive.
Thank you for your time and for all the work you do to uplift our local businesses.
Lexi
From: Mike Hannegan
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: 1.21.25 city meeting
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 9:16:44 PM
Hello,
I would like to add this to the record for tomorrow's meeting in support of West End restaurant.
Thank you,
Mike
Dear Members of the Costa Mesa City Council,
I am writing to express my appreciation for one of our local gems, West End Restaurant. This establishment is more than just a place to dine—it embodies the spirit of Costa Mesa through its exceptional food, warm staff, and the inviting, mom-and-pop atmosphere that makes it a true cornerstone of our community.
The food at West End is consistently outstanding, crafted with care and showcasing a commitment to quality that rivals the finest dining experiences. From creative dishes to comforting classics, every meal feels thoughtfully prepared and genuinely satisfying.
Equally impressive is the staff, who go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels welcome. Their kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail create an atmosphere that turns a simple meal into a memorable occasion.
Perhaps most special is the sense of community West End fosters. It’s a place where neighbors gather, friendships are formed, and the values of small business and local connection thrive.
The restaurant’s mom-and-pop charm is a refreshing reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses that contribute so much to the unique character of Costa Mesa.
West End Restaurant is a shining example of what makes our city special, and I hope we can continue to celebrate and support businesses like this that bring so much value to our community.
Thank you for your time and for your continued efforts to support local businesses in Costa Mesa.
Sincerely,
Mike Hannegan
20+ year Business owner in Costa Mesa