Costa Mesa City Council Approves 2,300-Unit Housing Project at Former Fairview Developmental Center Site

The Costa Mesa City Council recently approved a substantial housing development plan for the former Fairview Developmental Center site. This project will introduce 2,300 residences, with 920 units specifically designated as affordable housing for low-income tenants. The 80-acre property, which previously housed a state hospital until its closure in 2022, is slated for a mixed-use transformation.

In addition to the residential component, the plan includes 35,000 square feet of commercial space for retail, restaurants, and other services, along with 25 acres of publicly accessible open space for parks and recreational facilities. The approval comes as Costa Mesa faces state mandates to add 11,760 residential units by the end of the decade. While the City Council resisted an earlier Planning Commission proposal for up to 4,000 units, the current plan allows for potential density bonuses if more affordable units are included.

Councilmember Arlis Reynolds highlighted the project's importance for affordable housing, noting that approximately half of Costa Mesa residents spend over 30% of their income on housing. This approval marks a critical step in redeveloping a major state-owned parcel to meet pressing housing needs within the city.