Concerned Costa Mesa Citizens

According to the information available, the IKEA store at the Home Ranch project will double the traffic volume that is currently allowed with the existing general plan. Claims are being made that the traffic impact will be mitigated, but that is very hard to believe given the current state of traffic today. It is nearly impossible to get out of our tract on the weekends now. Imagine the problems if the volume of traffic doubles on Fairview and on Harbor.
They also claim that the city will recieve sales tax revenues from the project that will allow the city to improve the traffic and reduce smog. Who believes that the city will spend any money on fighting smog. That also assumes that the state will allow the taxes to cometo Costa Mesa. The State has the authority to redirect tax revenues to cities that need additional funds to repair streets orhighways. Orange County is already a ''donor tax county'', so if you believe the extra tax dollars will be used for our benefit, it is likely not going to happen.
The project is not a ''done deal'' at this point, and our voices need to be heard at City Council meetings and Planning Commission meetings.
Please join the fight to limit the Home Ranch Project to the current general plan specifications.

It's time to pull together

It's quite apparent from the article in the Daily Pilot today (8/11) that Paul Freeman, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, and Government Solutions are very busy trying to make sure that the only message heard is their message. Nothing about the negative impact through increased traffic and pollution the project will have on the quailty of life in our City. The amount of money they are spending to assure that the Home Ranch project goes through must be staggering. To say the the General Plan would need ''some tweaking'' to accomodate their so called changes based on public input, is a huge understatement. They are masters at spinning a story. They use smoke, mirrors, and carrots. It's is extremely important that we do not lose the momentum of the meeting on the 8th. The upcoming Planning Comission meeting and the next City Council meeting will be crucial. Tell everyone you know to come down to city hall and pack the chambers. If there is enough public outcry they will have to listen.