The plan establishes the rules for transforming the state-owned property but does not approve a developer or authorize construction.
Costa Mesa has approved a sweeping land-use plan that could bring between 2,300 and 4,000 homes to the former Fairview Developmental Center property.
The framework also allows up to 35,000 square feet of neighborhood-serving commercial space and calls for at least 14 acres of publicly accessible open space. The approximately 95-acre site sits along Harbor Boulevard and remains owned by the State of California.
A new mixed-income neighborhood
Costa Mesa’s plan identifies 2,300 homes as the minimum development target. That figure includes 920 homes for low- and very-low-income households, including 200 permanent-supportive housing units, along with 690 moderate-income homes.
The plan permits additional housing that could bring the total to 4,000 units.
The envisioned neighborhood could include apartments, townhomes, senior housing, parks, trails, childcare, restaurants and other community-serving businesses. A future Harbor Boulevard entrance may require changes to portions of the municipal golf course.
Construction has not been approved
The council’s action establishes zoning and development standards. It does not select a developer, approve architectural plans or authorize immediate construction.
Because the property belongs to the state, California’s Department of General Services will oversee the process of selecting a master developer. That developer would still need to submit detailed proposals and complete additional city reviews.
The property also contains land reserved for a state emergency-operations center and future housing serving people with developmental disabilities.
What comes next
Residents should expect future hearings covering building design, traffic, infrastructure, environmental mitigation and the timing of each development phase.
The central question now shifts from what the property may become to how a state-selected developer will carry out one of the largest redevelopment projects in Costa Mesa’s history.
More information and planning documents are available through the City of Costa Mesa and the official FDC planning site.
