INSIDE CITY HALL Here are a few...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are a few items the City Council considered Tuesday.

CHANGE IN PERMIT PROCEDURES

The council gave its final approval for a law that would replace

the modifications committee with a zoning administrator. The

committee has authority over small zoning-code issues.

The zoning administrator will be a Planning Department staff

member appointed by the planning director. The intent of the change

is to improve communication between the city departments and enhance

decision-making, council members said.

WHAT IT MEANS

The committee will be disbanded, and one person will take over the

role.

LOAN INCREASE

The council unanimously voted to increase the amount of a loan to

the developer of the Lower Bayview Landing affordable-housing project

for seniors by $250,000 to cover the jump in construction costs that

has occurred during the time the Coastal Commission was reviewing the

project. The homes are expected to go in the area near the

intersection of Coast Highway and Jamboree Road. The Irvine Co.,

which owns the land, has agreed to increase its contribution to the

project by $250,000 and wants the city to do the same.

WHAT IT MEANS

The project will move forward.

CONVERSION REVIEW

The council approved the conversion of a seven-unit apartment

building, located at Bayside Drive and Marguerite Avenue, to

condominiums.

Councilman Dick Nichols opposed it. The project was approved by

the Planning Commission.

WHAT IT MEANS

Property owner Maclovio Espinoza can proceed with the conversion.

PARK RANGER POWER

The council passed a law giving park rangers the authority to

enforce permits for parks and other city facilities. For years,

residents and youth-sports teams have bought permits to reserve

picnic shelters and park areas, but there has been no way to enforce

them if someone without a permit shows up first.

The law also enables the city to establish safety zones for its

after-school programs at parks, where city employees can ask anyone

not involved to leave the area.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Park rangers can now tell people to vacate an area if someone else

has a permit.