May was much less busy than March and April at City Hall, but it didn’t come without some contentiousness. The meeting schedule was lighter, but we were still reeling from the news in April that the City spent $7 million more than projected in 2025-2026. Below is a summary of City Hall activity for May 2026. Council, Commission and Committee Meetings: City Council: three meetings held; Planning Commission: no meetings held (That’s right! No meetings!); Finance and Pension Adv

Two meetings held last week deserve closer attention from Costa Mesa residents. Because of their importance—and how they connect—this will be a two-part update, so be sure to read both parts. PART ONE — CITY COUNCIL “ADOPTS” A BUDGET—OR DID IT? At the Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Regular Meeting, the Costa Mesa City Council voted to adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. On the surface, that may sound routine. But a closer look raises an important question: was a complete and mea

Two meetings held last week deserve closer attention from Costa Mesa residents. Because of their importance—and how they connect—this will be a two-part update, so be sure to read both parts. PART ONE — CITY COUNCIL “ADOPTS” A BUDGET—OR DID IT? At the Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Regular Meeting, the Costa Mesa City Council voted to adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. On the surface, that may sound routine. But a closer look raises an important question: was a complete and mea

In some respects, April was a calmer month at City Hall, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t controversy. The meeting schedule was lighter, but there were a few long meetings, with some of the items being controversial. At the end of the month, the City released the draft environmental report on the Fairview Park Master Plan Update, which disclosed the City’s site choice for the relocated fly field. Below is a summary of City Hall activity for April 2026. Council, Commission, a

In some respects, April was a calmer month at City Hall, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t controversy. The meeting schedule was lighter, but there were a few long meetings, with some of the items being controversial. At the end of the month, the City released the draft environmental report on the Fairview Park Master Plan Update, which disclosed the City’s site choice for the relocated fly field. Below is a summary of City Hall activity for April 2026. Council, Commission an

March was an exceptionally busy month at City Hall. So busy, in fact, that this report is divided into two parts. In addition to a heavy meeting schedule (we attend as many as we can), the City released the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, a nearly 300‑page document. After a thorough review, we submitted a detailed 24-page comment letter addressing key concerns. We’ve already reported on several March meetings (links included below). Unfortunately, one of our writ

March 2026 Costa Mesa City Hall Update Part One--If you blinked, you might’ve missed a lot

Monday, March 30, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. marks the final workshop for the City of Costa Mesa's Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan (FDCSP). This last meeting is virtual, and you can attend via Zoom.

February was a busy month! We’ve already reported on the February 9 Planning Commission meeting because of the surprise withdrawal by Segerstrom of its properties from the Housing Element. Here’s an update on the rest of the month: Council and Committee Meetings: City Council held two meetings; Planning Commission met twice; Active Transportation Committee met once; Fairview Park Steering Committee held one meeting; and Finance and Pension Advisory Committee was schedule

We attended the Measure K Rezoning Outreach meeting on Monday evening at the Norma Herzog Community Center, and while the discussion was worthwhile, the light turnout highlighted an ongoing challenge: public awareness and engagement.

f you want to skip to the item that will most likely have the most impact on your daily life, go to the Planning Commission New Business item near the bottom.

But Mousie, thou art no thy-lane, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men Gang aft agley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, For promis’d joy! From “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns Translation: But little mouse, you’re not alone, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid plans of mice and men Go oft awry, And leave us only grief and pain, For promised joy! A PLANNING PROCESS IN DISARRAY If grief and pain were on dis

Besides the early December meeting of the City Council, things were somewhat calm at City Hall. Here’s an update: Council and Committee Meetings: City Council held only one meeting on December 2, and we already covered it in a special update since it concerned the Draft Fairview Park Master Plan Update. Please read that dispatch here: https://www.costamesa1st.com/post/city-update-for-november-2025-and-the-december-2-2025-city-council-meeting-fairview-park-master Planning

November was a dynamic month for governance in Costa Mesa. Here’s an update: Council and Committee Meetings City Council held two meetings in November—we already covered the November 18 meeting in a special update about the Draft Fairview Park Master Plan Update, but it met again on December 2, with that same subject on the Agenda; Planning Commission met once; Active Transportation Committee met; and Finance and Pension Advisory Committee (FiPAC) also held a meeting. NOV

Special Update: November 18 City Council Meeting: Fairview Park Master Plan Update

CITY HALL UPDATE - FDCSP, OCPA AND LAND USE ELEMENT UPDATE

All Commissioners were present, except for Jake Husen (District 1) and Cristian Garcia Arcos (District 4). At this meeting, the only item acted on was the Draft Fairview Park Master Plan Update (MPU) Recommendations . The meeting lasted more than four hours and drew significant public interest. Chair Kelly Brown (District 5) thanked the public for written comments and spoke at length about the reasons why she requested that the Commission review this item. She said she value

FAIRVIEW PARK STEERING COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING

Costa Mesa City Hall Update for September 2025 - Orange County Power Authority, Placentia Cell Tower, Legal Assistance for Immigrants, At-Fault Eviction Registry, and more!

The City Council had one meeting in August. The Planning Commission met twice. The Active Transportation Committee and the Fairview Park Steering Committee also had meetings.