Costa Mesa

On Tuesday, October 20, the Costa Mesa City Council will consider sweeping changes to the General Plan, Zoning Code, and Measure K implementation that could reshape our city for generations. In an email message submitted to the City Council, Costa Mesa First argues that while Costa Mesa must comply with state housing laws, the City should not lose sight of neighborhood character, environmental protection, public participation, and local control in the process. Among the conce

One of the final public hearings on the agenda could affect residents citywide by rezoning properties throughout Costa Mesa.

Costa Mesa's Next Big Investment? Council Reviews $15.5 Million Technology Roadmap Fairview Park Steering Committee to get Master Plan Update

The Costa Mesa City Council meets next Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Several items on the agenda may add to the length of the meeting, so I don’t expect it to be a short one.

Growth, Surveillance, and Local Control: The Issues Shaping Costa Mesa's Future We attended a bunch of meetings in September, some with surprises! We have already written about the September 14 Planning Commission meeting and the September 15 City Council meeting. Our special report can be found here. Here is a summary of the activity at City Hall in September: Council, Commission and Committee Meetings: City Council: Two additional meetings were held, including a Study Sessi

PLANNING COMMISSION PREVIEW: MEASURE K, 20 CONTROVERSIAL AMENDMENTS, AND A LOST MOBILE HOME PARK

We only attended a handful of meetings in August, but there were some important decisions made. We have already written about the August 10 Planning Commission meeting. You can find that report here. Here is a summary of the activity at City Hall in August: Council, Commission and Committee Meetings: City Council: One meeting was held; Planning Commission: One more meeting (a Special Meeting) was held; Pension and Finance Committee: one meeting held Here’s our report: AUGUS

PLANNING COMMISSION HOLDS BACK ON SENDING MEASURE K REZONING TO CITY COUNCIL, AND CITY COUNCIL RESTRUCTURES FDCSP BEFORE VOTING TO APPROVE A PROJECT WITH REDUCED IMPACTS

The Elephant in the Room: Access, Density, and the Second Roadway.

🏢Costa Mesa Planning Commission Special Meeting – Monday, September 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM 📍 City Council Chambers, 77 Fair Drive📄 View the Agenda here. Attend in person or by Zoom, watch on TV, or on YouTube. Instructions are in the Agenda. 🎤 PUBLIC COMMENTS: This is the time for YOU to comment for THREE FREE minutes on ANYTHING that is not on the agenda. There will also be a public comment period for each Agenda item. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CI

CITY HALL UPDATE FOR JULY 2026: A MONTH OF CONTROVERSY, PLANNING, AND MAJOR POLICY DECISIONS

🏢Costa Mesa Planning Commission Special Meeting – Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM 📍 City Council Chambers, 77 Fair Drive 📄 View the Agenda here. Attend in person or by Zoom, watch on TV, or on YouTube. Instructions are in the Agenda. 🎤 PUBLIC COMMENTS: This is the time for YOU to comment for THREE FREE minutes on ANYTHING that is not on the agenda. There will also be a public comment period for each Agenda item. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY

Monday's Planning Commission meeting was one of the most consequential meetings of the year. Thank you to the many Costa Mesa residents who attended and took the time to provide public comment. However, an even more important meeting is still ahead. The City Council will soon consider and potentially approve the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, the largest housing development proposal in Costa Mesa's history and the primary focus of the Planning Commission's meeti

The Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan (FDCSP) is moving toward a decision point. The Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on August 10, after which it could advance to the City Council.

On July 16, 2026, the State of California (State), through the Attorney General and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), filed a lawsuit against the City of Costa Mesa for failing to comply with state housing law requirements. The lawsuit aims to enforce state housing law, ensure Costa Mesa meets its housing obligations, and set a precedent for local government accountability in addressing California's housing crisis.

City Hall was busy in June due to several long meetings, two of which we have already delivered reports to you. Due to the length of the meetings, this report is divided into two parts. Below is a summary of the remainder of City Hall activity for June 2026.

City Hall was busy in June due to several long meetings. We have already provided a report on two meetings at the beginning of June. Due to the length of the meetings, this report is divided into two parts.

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