Costa Mesa’s Fairview Development Center is on track to see over 2,000 housing units get built on it – along with some open space – after state and local officials have grappled with exactly what to do with sprawling state-owned property. 

It comes after Costa Mesa City Council members approved a development plan last week for the center after years of pushback against housing for homeless people proposals. 

The plan looks to introduce 2,300 housing units, 25 acres of green space and between 10,000 and 35,000 square feet of commercial space.

It comes as the city is being sued by state officials for not having a “compliant” housing plan – a lawsuit city officials dispute, saying they’ve been trying to get an approved plan while approving housing developments. 

The Fairview Development Center, which originally opened in 1959, was once a state-run care facility for residents with developmental disabilities, however, it largely closed in 2016 after six deaths were reported due to abuse and neglect.

Cities have since debated the use of the property, with city officials in San Clemente arguing in 2023 that it should be used as a regional homeless shelter. 

Costa Mesa city officials have repeatedly pushed back against using the center to house homeless people. 

Now, the 110-acre lot will now be divided, with the state retaining one 15 acre lot as an emergency response center, and another 15 acres held by the California Department of Developmental Services for housing.

The property’s habit of stirring controversy continued last week, with a large community turnout at the Sept. 15 meeting, with over 40 residents speaking during public comment about the development as some praised the development while others raised concerns about the nearby golf course. 

Several residents spoke their approval of the new units, arguing for increased affordable units for younger populations trying to put down roots in Costa Mesa.

“I know that my nanny has dreamed of living near here and has never been able to make that a reality, despite even the most affordable units here,” said Costa Mesa resident Laura Lyons at the meeting. 

“I know I’m speaking against what many are here to say, but I want my three kids to grow up and be able to afford to live here themselves.”

Of those 2,300 housing units slated for the Fairview Developmental Center, 920 of them are slated to be designated for low and very-low income residents.

According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the median income for a family of four in Orange County is $138,600, but anything below $148,850 is considered low income.

Costa Mesa’s median income is $111,505, according to the 2024 U.S. Census.

Based on state calculations, Costa Mesa is required to plan for 11,760 housing units between 2021 and 2029 – of which 2,919 housing units must be for very-low income, 1,794 for low, 2,088 for moderate and 4,959 for above moderate.

Multiple residents voiced their concerns about the future of the nearby Mesa Linda Municipal Golf Course golf course, which could see its course reduced to make way for a secondary entrance to the property to reduce traffic congestion.

“The golf course isn’t just a little green space on a map – it’s 59 years of community history, a place that brings our city together. Cutting a 60-foot road through it is not a small change,” said resident Steve Smith during the Sept. 15 meeting. 

“We can house our neighbors and protect what makes this city worth living in. This is not the path for that.”

Ultimately, city officials kept the golf course intact, for now.

At the moment, the plan is to begin construction without worrying about the secondary roadway, and, once resident numbers get high enough, negotiate for a nearby residential street, Merrimac Way, to be used instead, before resorting to cutting through the golf course.

“Roads do go through golf courses,” said Mayor John Stephens at the Sept. 15 meeting. “But what doesn’t happen is, you don’t have a mature golf course that opened in 1967 and you cut a 60-foot road through there with no mitigation in front of the government body who’s authorizing it.”

According to a staff report, the lot has the ability to accommodate 4,000 units, but city officials ultimately voted for the lower number of units, 2,300, to prevent overcrowding and traffic congestion.

However, the number of units approved will come in under what city staff deemed as “financially feasible” – 3,450 units. 

While most information regarding specific unit numbers is up in the air, city staff mentioned at the meeting that planning for fewer affordable units may require the city to revise their housing element again, in order to accommodate for the total number of units required by the state.

Ultimately, the plan will move ahead with the 2,300 units planned, instead of the higher numbers considered.

“It’s a quality of life issue for the people looking for affordable housing,” said Councilmember Mike Buley at the meeting. “It’s a quality of life issue for the residents, the community who already exist here, who want a community with parks and a place to build a life and raise a family, not just a place to go rest your head.”

Michelle King is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. You can reach her at mcaitlin254@gmail.com.