Costa Mesa City Council Meeting September 15, 2026

The City of Costa Mesa held a City Council meeting on September 15, 2026, primarily focused on the Fairview Developmental Center (FDC) specific plan, a major housing and redevelopment project. The council received extensive public input on the proposed housing density, affordable housing requirements, open space provisions, traffic and emergency access concerns, and impacts on the local golf course. Staff presented detailed background, community outreach efforts, environmental impact findings, and financial feasibility analyses. Key procurement-related discussions included the adoption of the specific plan, certification of the environmental impact report, and considerations for a master developer selection. The council debated unit counts ranging from 2,000 to 4,000, affordable housing targets (notably 920 units to meet state requirements), open space minimums (proposed increase to 25 acres), commercial space allocations, and the necessity and location of a secondary access road, with emphasis on avoiding cutting through the golf course. Motions were made to approve a plan with 2,300 units, 920 affordable units, 25 acres of open space, 15,000 square feet of commercial space, no golf course cut-through, and prioritizing negotiations for secondary access via Marramac Road. The council also discussed establishing an advisory committee for ongoing FDC oversight and incorporating minor text amendments to strengthen the plan. The meeting reflected a balance between meeting state housing mandates, community concerns, and future procurement and development activities related to the FDC project.