News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council has voted to approve the Victoria Place condominium project, despite a prior rejection from the planning commission. This 40-unit complex will be built on a 1.77-acre site following guidelines set by the Measure K initiative, allowing for high-density residential developments in the area. The project includes duplexes and detached residences with workspaces, garages, and outdoor areas, aimed at addressing local housing needs amidst rising rents. Community concerns over traffic and density were expressed during the council meeting, reflecting the ongoing challenges in urban planning.
Costa Mesa City Council Approves Victoria Place Condominium Project
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved plans for the controversial Victoria Place, a 40-unit condominium complex situated near Newport Boulevard and Victoria Street. This decision comes despite a previous rejection by the city’s planning commission, which voted 5-2 against the project on June 9, 2023.
The 1.77-acre site, which currently hosts a lighting store and boat storage facilities, is eligible for rezoning under the Measure K initiative. Measure K, approved by voters in 2022, allows for high-density residential development, although the city-wide rezoning has yet to be executed and remains in the visioning stages.
In an August 2024 meeting, the City Council reviewed the Victoria Place plan and provided feedback, which has been incorporated into an amended proposal. As approved, the project features 18 duplexes and four detached residences, with each unit measuring approximately 2,700 square feet. Each unit will include a ground-floor workspace, two-car garage, balcony, and rooftop deck. While the units are designated as ownership dwellings, owners will have the option to rent them out.
Details of the Project
To accommodate the housing units on the relatively small lot, the project requires several adjustments, including reductions in setbacks and space between buildings, as well as changes to the width of garages and the number of parking spaces. The total required parking spaces decreased from 150 to 103.
The project will operate under a site-specific master plan within the city’s residential incentive overlay district, which was established in 2016 but had not been previously utilized. The approval marks the first development under this district.
Community and Council Response
While there were apprehensions about the project from neighbors and commission members—who expressed concern that the project’s density and proposed infrastructure did not align with community needs—the City Council made minor modifications aimed at protecting landscaped areas and enhancing architectural features before giving their approval.
City leaders are focused on increasing homeownership opportunities in the context of rising rents and housing prices in the area. They assert that developments like Victoria Place are essential in addressing local housing needs, even as the project has been labeled both controversial and vital for the rejuvenation of the area.
Background Context
Previously, the planning commission had raised alarms regarding the necessary deviations in the project’s design, viewing them as unnecessary. However, some city officials argued that these deviations are required alternatives to bring life and vitality back to a currently blighted site. Mayor John Stephens expressed support for the project, noting that it aligns with the objectives of Measure K.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the Victoria Place project highlight the delicate balance that city planners and council members are aiming to achieve in fostering sustainable growth while addressing community concerns and preserving livability in Costa Mesa.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Council Approves Victoria Place
- Wikipedia: Costa Mesa, California
- Orange County Register: Real Estate News
- Google Search: Costa Mesa zoning
- Yield Pro: Victoria Street
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California
- Los Angeles Times: Gisler Ave Traffic Bridge Plan
- Google News: Costa Mesa housing developments
- ABC7: Driver Killed in Costa Mesa Crash
- Google Scholar: Costa Mesa real estate
