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Changes Part Two
April 24, 2008
It’s interesting to see that Huntington Beach is looking to save, by virtue of a zoning overlay, what’s left of the historic flavor of its main drag. Sadly, traditional craftsman homes with big front porches are giving way to stucco McMansions fueled by a seemingly never-ending reservoir of home equity.
The grass roots movement there is the brainchild of local homeowner Nuuana Robinson. Distraught over the remodeling frenzy and what it will do to Huntington Beach’s charm, she laments that soon, “you won’t know if you’re in Irvine or Tustin”. Yikes. Should we be smug or horrified that our fair hamlet has been figuratively attached to our intensely manicured southern neighbor? Read more
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The More Things Change
April 24, 2008
Over the years, I’ve watched a few council sessions and planning workshops where at issue was just how strict the city should be when granting businesses the right to move into Old Town. At present, merchants must largely be able to prove themselves a viable retail operation.
All concerned want the most amount of foot traffic possible downtown, preferably foot traffic that is predisposed towards visiting multiple establishments and spending some money. For things like restaurants and coffee shops (I wish), it’s an easy call. However, things get dicey when, say, real estate or dental offices want to sign a lease. Read more
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My Kingdom for a Plan
April 23, 2008
I came across something interesting recently. After months of consternation over the fact that no unified Plan blueprinting the future for Old Town seems to exist, what should appear in my mailbox but a nicely bound, official looking 45 page booklet entitled, “Tustin, Visions of Old Town”. Perhaps the post office is justified in raising the rates for stamps. The book is dated September 1991. Read more
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Parking Redux
October 4, 2005
Tustin News Column originally published 10/4/2005: Flashback to the film LA Story starring Steve Martin. In one scene Martin’s character jumps in his car to visit his next door neighbor 30 feet away. As expected, feedback on our Just Park It column (Tustin News 8/24) was heavy. Not expected was the preponderance of email in favor of booting (or at least moving) the Farmers Market and turning that piece of dirt into another white-striped SUV farm. Read more
