What Costa Mesa is about to decide

Costa Mesa posted two agendas for this date: a closed session at 4:00 PM and the regular City Council and Housing Authority meeting at 6:00 PM, both at 77 Fair Drive. Public hearings begin at 7:00 p.m. under Resolution No. 05-55. These are pending decisions from the posted agendas — not outcomes. Every item links to the official record.

Sources: regular meeting agenda (PDF) · closed session agenda (PDF) · Legistar: regular meeting · Legistar: closed session

✅ What actually passed (per the draft minutes): The city’s draft minutes of this meeting — attached to the October 6 agenda for approval, not yet adopted — record all seven members present and every roll-call vote 7-0 (Buley, Gameros, Marr, Pettis, Reynolds, Chavez and Stephens). The Fairview Developmental Center plan was approved with changes, 7-0, on a motion by Mayor Stephens, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez: the council adopted Resolution No. 2026-51 certifying the Environmental Impact Report with the Statement of Overriding Considerations, adopted Resolution No. 2026-52 amending the General Plan Land Use Element for the 110-acre site, and introduced Ordinance No. 2026-08 adopting the specific plan. The changes in the motion, as the draft minutes list them: “Reduce the maximum units from 4,000 to 2,300 with no change to the number of 920 affordable units”; increase the minimum open space from 14 acres to 25 acres, to include lighted parks and sports fields; raise the minimum non-residential square footage from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet “with a 35,000 maximum”; “Prohibit a route cutting through the Mesa Linda Golf Course”; require an updated transportation study identifying when a secondary access road is necessary; incorporate 22 non-substantive text amendments; direct staff to continue talks with the state over public use of Merrimac Way and to “request a minimum of 30 million of state subsidy” toward hazardous materials remediation; and create a City Council ad hoc committee and a citizens advisory committee. The ordinance still needs a second reading — it is on the October 6 agenda for adoption. The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and Safety Element update were not adopted: the council first voted 7-0 to move the item to November 17, then reconsidered and voted 7-0 to open the public hearing and continue it to October 20, 2026. The Consolidated Master Fee Schedule hearing was opened and continued to October 20, 7-0, at the department’s request. The consent calendar passed 7-0, including Resolutions No. 2026-48 and 2026-49 ordering summary vacations of excess right-of-way at 296 and 405 East 19th Street and Resolution No. 2026-50 with a $275,500 appropriation for the Office of Traffic Safety enforcement grant. The City Attorney reported no reportable action from closed session. We will update this when the council adopts the minutes.

The headline: the 110-acre Fairview Developmental Center site at 2501 Harbor Boulevard reaches its land-use decision. The council is asked to certify an Environmental Impact Report with a Statement of Overriding Considerations, redesignate 95 acres to a new Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan and the remaining 15 acres to Institutional and Recreational, and introduce the ordinance adopting the plan. Separately, the council would adopt a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and a Safety Element update, and the Consolidated Master Fee Schedule is set to be continued to October 20.

🏗 Fairview Developmental Center: 110 acres, decided

Certifying the EIR — with overriding considerations. A resolution would certify the Environmental Impact Report and adopt “the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan Project.” A statement of overriding considerations is the finding a city makes when it approves a project despite significant environmental effects it cannot fully mitigate. Item 3
The land use split. A second resolution would amend the General Plan Land Use Element and land use map to change the designation of the 110-acre site at 2501 Harbor Boulevard from Multi-Use Center “to refer to the 95 Acre FDC Specific Plan (FDCSP)” and to change “the Remaining 15 Acres to Institutional and Recreational (I&R).” Item 3
The ordinance. The council would introduce an ordinance adopting the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, amending Sections 13-20, 13-28, 13-30, Chapter V, Article 7 of the Zoning Code, adding a new Chapter XVIII “Specific Plans” to Title 13, and amending the zoning map for the site. Introduction is a first reading — a second reading would be required before it takes effect. Item 3
Three state agencies are on the record. Attachments include an August 21, 2026 letter from HCD (the state Department of Housing and Community Development), a September 4, 2026 letter from DDS (Developmental Services), and a July 2, 2026 letter from the Department of General Services. The agenda does not summarize their contents. Item 3

🌍 A climate plan and a safety element

Safety Element Update (PCTY-25-0002), Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (PCTY-25-0009) and Environmental Justice Policy Review (PCTY-26-0002). The Planning Commission recommends the council find all three exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) — and additionally find the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan categorically exempt under Sections 15307 and 15308 — then adopt a resolution approving the Safety Element and Environmental Justice policy updates. Item 2
Staff separately recommends the council adopt a resolution approving the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The commission’s recommendation came via Resolution PC-2026-23 at its August 10, 2026 meeting, after a July 27 study session. Item 2

💵 Fees deferred, a grant accepted

The Consolidated Master Fee Schedule is not being decided. Staff recommends the council open the public hearing and continue the item to the October 20, 2026 meeting, “pursuant to the department’s request.” Item 1
$275,500 in traffic enforcement money. On consent, the council would ratify the grant application to the state Office of Traffic Safety for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program for the grant period October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, and authorize an appropriation to revenue and expenditure of $275,500 in the Office of Traffic Safety Fund (Fund 220). Item 7
Warrant Resolution No. 2760 would be approved, with a summary check registration dated 8-20-2026 attached. The agenda states no total. Item 3, consent

🚲 Two right-of-way vacations on 19th Street

296 East 19th Street — a resolution ordering the summary vacation of a portion of right-of-way, with the Mayor and City Clerk authorized to execute a quitclaim deed. The agenda’s attachment list for the item references a Class III bicycle facility. Item 5
405 East 19th Street — the same action for a second parcel of excess right-of-way, also referencing a Class III bicycle facility. Both resolutions are numbered “2026-xx” on the posted agenda. Item 6

⚖ Closed session at 4:00 PM: the Ohio House cases, and a state housing suit

Three Ohio House matters under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): City of Costa Mesa v. Ohio House LLC (OCSC No. 30-2020-01146835-CU-OR-CJC); City of Costa Mesa v. Ohio House, LLC; Richard Perlin, Nancy Perlin, Dolores Perlin, and Brandon Stump (OCSC No. 30-2018-01006173-CU-OR-NJC); and Ohio House, LLC v. City of Costa Mesa in federal court (C.D. Cal. No. 8:19-cv-01710-DOC (KESx)). Closed Session 1–3
The state is suing the city over housing. People of the State of California, ex rel. Rob Bonta, California Department of Housing and Community Development v. City of Costa Mesa, OCSC No. 30-2026-01583941-CU-WM-CJC. Closed Session 4
A property negotiation at 3303 Hyland Avenue (APN 139-032-11) under Section 54956.8. City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly is the agency negotiator; the negotiating party is Lisa Kolieb, partner with Akerman LLP; under negotiation are price and terms of payment. Closed Session 5

🪑 Also on the agenda

Routine consent: waiving the full reading of ordinances and resolutions, the September 1, 2026 regular meeting minutes, and the reading folder — receiving and filing a claim from Karina Ryabokonova and authorizing staff to reject any and all claims. Items 1, 2, 4
Old business and new business are both listed as “NONE.” The agenda also lists a City Attorney closed session report, council member comments, and committee reports.
Council roster as printed on the agenda: Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Council Members Buley, Gameros, Reynolds and Pettis.

Council Brief summaries are produced from official public records by our automated newsroom and reviewed before publication. Items are described as posted; the council may amend, continue, or remove items at the meeting. Spot an error? hello@councilbrief.com — we publish corrections.