The Costa Mesa City Council last week approved a comprehensive plan to develop 2,300 residences on the former site of the Fairview Developmental Center. The approved project includes 920 units designated as affordable for qualified low-income tenants.
This decision marks a significant advancement in the long process of repurposing the expansive state hospital property, which previously housed over 2,500 patients. The Fairview Developmental Center officially closed in 2022, following a statewide shift in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities toward community-based group homes and independent living environments.
The approved plan does not specify the architectural style or precise configuration of the housing, though a development of this scale is typically expected to include a mix of apartment buildings and other multiunit housing formats. Currently, no developer has been selected to undertake the construction of the project.
Beyond residential units, the master plan allocates 35,000 square feet for commercial space. A draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the project described potential uses for this commercial area, including stores, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness studios, and childcare facilities. The development will also incorporate 25 acres of publicly accessible open space, designed to support uses such as parks, plazas, walking and biking trails, recreation centers, and picnic areas.
During deliberations, the City Council notably resisted terms of a prior plan approved by the Planning Commission, which would have permitted up to 4,000 units on the 80-acre site. This decision was made even as the city faces considerable pressure from the state to increase its housing inventory; Costa Mesa is mandated to add 11,760 residential units by the end of the decade to meet state housing requirements.
A key outcome of the adopted plan is the preservation, at least for the foreseeable future, of the Mesa Linda golf course at the city-owned Costa Mesa Country Club. Earlier reports indicated that the golf course would have been bisected by a secondary access road if the total unit count had exceeded 2,300.
The final unit count for the development could still increase beyond 2,300. State regulations provide density bonuses to developers who incorporate a sufficient number of affordable units to meet specific thresholds, potentially allowing for additional residential capacity on the site.
Councilmember Arlis Reynolds commented on the timeliness of the proposal, noting that an estimated one-half of Costa Mesans dedicate more than 30% of their income to housing costs. Reynolds stated that a core objective for the project has been "looking for opportunities for affordable housing," emphasizing that stable and affordable housing is fundamental to enhancing the quality of life in Costa Mesa.
