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Planning commission approves two‑unit townhome project at 121 Cecil Place with amended tree placement condition
Summary
Costa Mesa planners approved a two‑unit townhome condominium project at 121 Cecil Place March 9, requiring replacement trees and an amendment to condition 17 directing two replacement olive trees be placed as close to the sidewalk as feasible to enhance canopy.
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission on March 9 approved design review, a tentative parcel map and development review for a two‑unit common interest development at 121 Cecil Place, finding the project exempt from CEQA per local code and state guidelines.
Assistant planner Gabriel Villalobos summarized the proposal: demolition of an existing 1927 single‑family home and construction of two two‑story townhomes, each with roughly 2,938 square feet of living area, four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and a 444‑square‑foot two‑car garage. The application includes a shared common lot for landscaping and driveway maintenance; staff said the project complies with residential design guidelines and parking requirements.
Commissioners probed entitlement jurisdiction (design review plus tentative map caused commission review), right‑of‑way and sidewalk needs, and landscape/tree replacement. Staff explained the project requests a 3‑foot right‑of‑way dedication to help provide a 4‑foot clear sidewalk consistent with city standards. The applicant, Josh Martinez of OSA Homes, confirmed he had reviewed conditions and that frontage improvements and a city‑standard sidewalk would be constructed per conditions of approval.
Concerned commissioners discussed the street‑facing massing (two garage fronts facing Cecil Place) and asked staff to pursue more pedestrian‑oriented design in future code updates. Commissioner Andrade and others pressed for locating some replacement trees nearer to the sidewalk to build canopy; the commission amended Condition 17 to add the words "removed or replaced" and directed that two of the replacement olive trees be placed as close to the sidewalk as feasible, subject to arborist and public‑works review. The motion to approve the project with the amended landscaping condition carried 7‑0.
The approval allows the applicant to proceed to building plan check and permit submittal and requires coordination with public works on sidewalk construction details and the city arborist on tree placement. The decision is final unless appealed to City Council within seven days.
