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SPECIAL UPDATE! PART TWO — “SHAPING NEIGHBORHOODS” OPEN HOUSE
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
Cynthia McDonald
Jun 78 min read


SPECIAL UPDATE! PART ONE — CITY COUNCIL “ADOPTS” A BUDGET—OR DID IT?
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
Cynthia McDonald
Jun 711 min read


CITY HALL UPDATE FOR APRIL 2026—Part One—Tough Decisions Ahead: Budget Examined and Re-Examined; Infrastructure Decisions; Housing Policy; Ethics and Public Trust; and Fairview Park
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
Cynthia McDonald
May 2334 min read


CITY UPDATE FOR JANUARY 2026 - MAJOR CHANGES TO HOUSING AND REZONING AHEAD
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.
Cynthia McDonald
Feb 2031 min read


SPECIAL UPDATE: NOVEMBER 18 CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 🍃FAIRVIEW PARK MASTER PLAN UPDATE🍃
Special Update: November 18 City Council Meeting: Fairview Park Master Plan Update
Cynthia McDonald
Nov 21, 202529 min read


🧨SPECIAL UPDATE RE CHAOTIC CITY COUNCIL MEETING 🧨
On July 15, 2025, the Costa Mesa City Council met for its regular meeting. Nothing controversial was on the Agenda, but that didn’t mean...
Cynthia McDonald
Jul 19, 202510 min read


Update from Costa Mesa First - IHO, Cannabis Regulations and FDCSP
A lot has been happening in Costa Mesa recently! Here’s an update: INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE (IHO) . The IHO, nearly gutted by the...
Cynthia McDonald
Jan 28, 20247 min read
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