Costa Mesa Planning Commission Approves New Housing Development

News Summary

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission has approved a significant development proposed by Meritage Homes, comprising 142 housing units on Bear Street. The plan includes detached homes and stacked flats along with community amenities such as parks and pedestrian access. Meritage will also contribute funds for local park improvements and allocate some homes for low-income buyers. While the project aims to address housing shortages, it has faced concerns over traffic and the impact on existing neighborhoods. The City Council will review the proposal soon.

Costa Mesa – The Costa Mesa Planning Commission has approved a significant development project proposed by Meritage Homes, which aims to construct 142 townhouses and single-family homes on a 6.12-acre parcel of land located at 3150 Bear Street, the former headquarters of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. The proposal now awaits a review by the Costa Mesa City Council, with potential discussions scheduled for as early as August 5.

The approved plan includes 20 detached family homes and 122 stacked flats that will come in various configurations. A single vehicle access point will be provided on Bear Street, directly opposite Shiffer Park. Furthermore, the development will incorporate approximately 2.13 acres of public and private open space, enhancing community amenities.

To accommodate the project, Meritage Homes has committed to paying $250,000 to the city for improvements to local parks. The development will also feature a dedicated pedestrian-only access point leading to Olympic Avenue, which will facilitate residents’ movement from the east towards Shiffer Park. In relation to housing affordability, Meritage Homes will designate seven residences for very-low-income buyers as part of their agreement for a state density bonus.

Each housing unit will include a two-car tandem parking garage, which aims to alleviate parking challenges within the development. In addition, there will be an extra 35 guest parking spaces available for residents and visitors.

This development is particularly focused on providing “missing middle housing,” which is designed to cater to young families and individuals transitioning from rental situations. However, the project has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding increased traffic and potential overflow parking concerns raised by at least a dozen residents during the planning commission meetings. Additionally, opposition has been voiced regarding the height of the stacked townhomes, which are set to reach 52 feet, significantly overshadowing existing one-story homes in the vicinity.

Despite these concerns, planning commissioners have commended the project for its thoughtful integration into the community, noting that it provides a buffer between existing residential areas and the newly planned urban development. The planning commission passed the proposal with a unanimous 5-0 vote, although two members were absent during the decision.

This development emerges amid ongoing efforts under Costa Mesa’s Measure K, which seeks to rezone commercial areas for high-density residential use. The goal is to create more housing opportunities in response to local market demands while preserving community values and standards.

As Costa Mesa prepares for the next steps in this project, community stakeholders and future residents alike await further discussions and final decisions regarding Meritage Homes’ proposed development on the former Trinity Broadcasting Network site.

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Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times: Housing Plan at Trinity Broadcasting Network HQ
• Wikipedia: Costa Mesa
• Orange County Register: Fountain Valley Apartments News
• Google Search: Fountain Valley apartments
• Orange County Register: Siemens HQ Move to Costa Mesa
• Google Scholar: Costa Mesa housing development
• 247 Wall St: Luxurious Retirement Communities
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing Development