Costa Mesa meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Costa Mesa boards weigh housing project, infrastructure contracts; planning commission reviews Fairview plan

Costa Mesa city boards and commissions met over the past two weeks, but no final decisions have been published yet. The City Council is set to consider a housing project and infrastructure contracts, while the Planning Commission reviewed a major specific plan. All recent meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been released.

City Council

The City Council met Aug. 4 for a regular session and a closed session. On the regular agenda, the council will consider agreements for the Avon River Apartments project at 1400 Bristol Street, contingent on HUD funding. It will also vote on awarding an on-call sidewalk repair contract to S&H Civilworks for $237,600 and a signal modernization project to Econolite Systems for $2,709,902.68.

The council will also introduce a zoning ordinance update (PCTY-26-0001) for non-residential uses and continue a consolidated fee schedule public hearing to Sept. 15, 2026.

In closed session, the council discussed labor negotiations with five employee groups: the Costa Mesa City Employees Association, the Costa Mesa Confidential Unit, the Costa Mesa Police Association, the Costa Mesa Police Management Association, and Costa Mesa Executive Employees. No public items were listed.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held public hearings Aug. 10 on two major items. The first was the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan (PCTY-25-0003) for the 110-acre site at 2501 Harbor Boulevard. The commission will recommend certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report, amending the General Plan land use designation from "Multi-use Center" to "FDCSP," and rezoning 95 acres from "I&R-MLT" to "FDCSP" and 15 acres to "Institutional and Recreational."

The second hearing covered a combined update to the Safety Element (PCTY-25-0002), Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (PCTY-25-0009), and Environmental Justice Policy Review (PCTY-26-0002). The commission will recommend a CEQA exemption and General Plan amendment.

The commission also approved the July 27, 2026, meeting minutes on its consent calendar. Public comments were limited to three minutes, with written comments due by noon on the meeting day.

Parks and Community Services Commission

The Parks and Community Services Commission met Aug. 13. Under new business, it will vote on accepting a memorial tree and plaque at Vista Park in memory of Julian Hernandez and provide direction on a memorial bench and plaque at Fairview Park in memory of Salvador Lara Rodriguez.

The commission also received an update on the new community garden location study, approved the June 11, 2026, meeting minutes, and reviewed department and park ranger reports for June and July 2026.

Coming up

The Planning Commission will hold a special meeting Aug. 17 to consider a resolution recommending the City Council approve a General Plan Amendment to add housing element sites to the Sixth Cycle Housing Element (2021-2029). The commission will also hold a study session on proposed zoning code amendments for multi-family residential and mixed-use design standards, as well as amendments to the Circulation, Community Design, Land Use, Noise, and Open Space elements of the General Plan. Amendments to the Newport Boulevard, North Costa Mesa, and One Metro West Specific Plans are also on the agenda. The consent calendar includes approval of the July 27, 2026, meeting minutes.

Costa Mesa Council, Planning Commission take up housing, infrastructure

Costa Mesa's City Council and Planning Commission met over the past two weeks to consider housing projects, infrastructure contracts, and policy updates. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are recorded. The most consequential items on the agendas were a proposed apartment project contingent on federal funding and a $2.7 million traffic signal modernization.

City Council (Aug. 4)

The City Council met in regular session and in closed session. The regular agenda included:

• **Avon River Apartments** at 1400 Bristol Street: The council was set to approve agreements for the project, with funding from HOME (federal) dollars pending.
• **Sidewalk repair contract**: Award of the On Call Sidewalk Repair Project to S&H Civilworks for $237,600.
• **Signal modernization**: Award to Econolite Systems for $2,709,902.68.
• **Zoning ordinance update** (PCTY-26-0001) for non-residential uses — introduced for consideration.
• **Fee schedule hearing**: Continued to September 15, 2026.

The council also held a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with five employee groups: Costa Mesa City Employees Association, Costa Mesa Confidential Unit, Costa Mesa Police Association, Costa Mesa Police Management Association, and Costa Mesa Executive Employees.

Planning Commission (July 27)

The Planning Commission reviewed two residential development proposals and received policy updates:

• A proposed 4-unit common interest development at 215 and 223 Mesa Drive.
• A proposed 15-unit residential development at 2075 Harbor Boulevard.
• Presentations on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), Safety Element, and Environmental Justice Policy updates.
• A study session on the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, including a Draft Environmental Impact Report.

The commission also approved the July 13, 2026 meeting minutes.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Check the city's official meeting calendar for future agendas and minutes.

Costa Mesa Roundup: Shelter Agreement, Ballot Measure, and Residential Projects on Recent Agendas; Council to Vote on Avon River Apartments Aug. 4

Costa Mesa's City Council, Housing Authority, and Planning Commission all met in the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent sessions. What follows is drawn from the official agendas; final votes and outcomes are not yet confirmed in the public record.

City Council — July 21

The Council and Housing Authority agenda included several items with dollar figures and dates. A proposed memorandum of understanding with the City of Irvine would cover beds at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter, running from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

The agenda also listed the purchase of one 2026 Caterpillar 938 Wheel Loader for $349,368.97, and acceptance of City Project No. 24-03 — the Citywide Parkway Maintenance, Street Rehabilitation, and Slurry Seal Project — performed by Onyx Paving Company, Inc.

A traffic management services agreement with the 32nd District Agricultural Association for the Orange County Fair was on the agenda, along with authorization to reject claims from eight individuals, including Roselle Bailey and Anthony Deak.

A separate closed session covered labor negotiations with four employee groups: the Costa Mesa City Employees Association (CMCEA), the Costa Mesa Confidential Unit, the Costa Mesa Police Association (CMPA), and the Costa Mesa Police Management Association (CMPMA). Legal conferences were listed regarding *City of Costa Mesa v. Ohio House LLC* and *Disability Rights California v. City of Costa Mesa*.

City Council — July 22

The Council considered placing the "Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Small Business Protection Measure" on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Related resolutions on the agenda covered calling the election, consolidating it with the state election, and authorizing arguments and an impartial analysis.

The Council was also scheduled to receive and file a report on a potential Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) measure. No other substantive decisions were listed.

Planning Commission — July 27

The Planning Commission agenda included two residential development proposals: a 4-unit common interest development at 215 and 223 Mesa Drive, and a 15-unit residential development at 2075 Harbor Boulevard.

Commissioners were also scheduled to receive presentations on updates to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), the Safety Element, and Environmental Justice Policy. A study session on the Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, including the Draft Environmental Impact Report, was listed, along with approval of the July 13, 2026 meeting minutes.

Coming Up — August 4

The City Council and Housing Authority will meet again on August 4. The agenda includes a vote on agreements for the Avon River Apartments project at 1400 Bristol Street, contingent on HUD HOME funding.

Other items listed:

• Award of the On Call Sidewalk Repair Project to S&H Civilworks for $237,600.
• Signal modernization project award to Econolite Systems for $2,709,902.68.
• Introduction of zoning ordinance update (PCTY-26-0001) for non-residential uses.
• Continuation of the consolidated fee schedule public hearing to September 15, 2026.

A closed session the same day covers labor negotiations with five employee groups — the four listed above plus the Costa Mesa Executive Employees.

Because minutes from the July meetings have not yet been published, residents should check the city's official agenda and minutes portal for confirmed vote tallies and final outcomes.

Planning Commission weighs zoning code update, alcohol sales permits

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission met June 22 to consider a major zoning code update and two requests for alcohol sales at Bristol Street restaurants. The meeting, whose minutes have not yet been published, included three public hearings and a vote on previous meeting minutes.

Zoning code update for non-residential uses

The commission was scheduled to consider a proposed amendment to Title 13 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code (file PCTY-26-0001). The amendment would update land use classifications and development standards for personal services, artisan studios, retail, entertainment, event centers, fitness studios and other non-residential uses. No decision has been recorded as of this writing.

Alcohol sales permits on Bristol Street

Two separate conditional use permits were on the agenda:

• **Three Eyed Tiger** at 2930 Bristol St, Unit B60, sought permission to sell alcohol for on-site consumption until 12 a.m.
• **Naisho Omakase and Highball Bar** at 3033 Bristol St, Unit 117, requested a permit allowing alcohol sales until 1:30 a.m.

Both items were scheduled for public hearings. Outcomes are not available because meeting minutes have not been released.

Approval of previous minutes

The commission also planned to vote on the minutes from its April 13 and April 27, 2026 meetings. The result of that vote is not yet known.

Coming up

No public meetings are scheduled in Costa Mesa for the next two weeks, according to the city’s published calendar.