Costa Mesa’s Critical Pets: A New home for Stray Animals
Critical pets,a nonprofit institution dedicated to pet adoption in Costa Mesa,has been actively seeking a suitable facility to care for stray animals brought in by local animal control officers since it became the city’s veterinary and shelter provider last year.
A promising Location on 16th Street
If everything proceeds as planned, the organization may have found an ideal location on an industrially zoned lot at 126 E.16th Street.This potential site received approval from planning commissioners earlier this week for a considerable 6,480-square-foot facility.
Though, the success of this endeavor hinges on the opinions of nearby residents, including those living in adjacent mobile home parks and local business owners who are concerned about possible noise from barking dogs, unpleasant odors, and parking challenges associated with the .42-acre property.
The commercial space at 1520 Ponderosa St., which was approved last year as a new veterinary suite and intake center for Critical Pets, remained unused due to disputes with property owners.
(Screenshot by Sara cardine)
A Contractual Requirement for Stability
The city mandated that Critical Pets establish a physical presence within Costa Mesa as part of its $480,000 annual contract signed in April 2024 with the Chino Hills-based no-kill rescue organization. This agreement aims to ensure that up to 50 impounded animals can be housed simultaneously while providing outdoor play areas for dogs.
Finding such a facility has proven challenging for Executive Director Lisa Set Apart. “It’s been quite difficult trying to fit this round peg into a square hole,” she remarked during discussions with city planners. “Currently operating out of our cramped 2,000-square-foot space on Newport Boulevard is not enduring; we desperately need more room.”
A Long Search Comes to Fruition
after an extensive search that began over a year before finalizing their contract, Set Apart identified another potential site—a commercial building spanning approximately 6,248 square feet located within Costa Mesa’s Mesa Verde neighborhood.
the organization paid $7,500 for utility fees related to obtaining conditional use permits and received approval from the Planning Commission last November.Unfortunately, complications arose when negotiations with property owners fell through due to legal issues surrounding lease agreements. “By the time I secured permission from them,” Set Apart explained regarding overseas landlords involved in negotiations—“the timeline had already expired.” Ultimately deciding it wasn’t meant to be led her team back into searching mode.
An Ideal Facility Design
The newly proposed location on East 16th Street previously served as an auto repair shop but appears well-suited now for accommodating animal control operations alongside essential veterinary services like pet surrenders or reunions between lost pets and their families.
Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner Angely Andrade Vallarta encouraged neighbors near the proposed kennel facility on East Sixteenth Street Monday evening; they should reach out if noise becomes problematic after construction begins.
Noisy Neighbors: Addressing Community Concerns
To mitigate potential disturbances caused by barking dogs inside kennels once established there will also be soundproofing measures implemented throughout walls surrounding these areas according to plans shared by Critical Pets representatives.
However concerns persist among some community members like Mathew Carver who operates Barn Life Recovery—a mental health treatment center sharing wall space adjacent to where new facilities would open up soon enough! He expressed worries saying: “We focus heavily upon creating peaceful environments conducive towards meditation practices so any excessive sounds could disrupt our mission entirely.”
Residents residing nearby Sea breeze Villa mobile home park echoed similar sentiments voiced earlier during public comments made before planning commission meetings held recently too! Steve Schwimer representing fellow residents stated clearly: “The city must assess weather noise levels comply adequately under existing ordinances governing acceptable limits.”
Set Apart reassured attendees stating designs aim specifically toward minimizing behaviors leading towards excessive barking amongst kenneled animals while ensuring proper management strategies remain intact both indoors/outdoors alike!
Planning commissioners acknowledged these apprehensions yet emphasized reliance upon permit conditions set forth ensuring smooth transitions occur without major disruptions occurring post-approval stages moving forward.“For those living close-by including sea Breeze across street—hold them accountable,” urged Commissioner Angely Andrade Vallarta addressing audience members present voicing concerns raised publicly regarding proposal outcomes ahead! “We possess code enforcement departments available should situations arise where things escalate beyond reasonable thresholds impacting neighboring businesses directly next door.”