News Summary
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved the Victoria Place housing project, which will include 142 residential units on the former Trinity Broadcasting property. Despite opposition from the Planning Commission due to community concerns over traffic and parking, Mayor John Stephens defended the decision. The project aims to provide ‘missing middle housing’ for families and individuals transitioning from rentals to ownership. Local residents remain apprehensive about the potential impacts on traffic, parking, and neighborhood aesthetics as the city grapples with its housing strategy.
Costa Mesa – The Costa Mesa City Council has approved the development of Victoria Place, a proposed housing project featuring 142 residential units on the former Trinity Broadcasting property. This approval comes despite a previous recommendation from the Planning Commission to deny the project due to community concerns about parking and traffic impacts.
Mayor John Stephens dismissed the parking issues raised by residents, indicating that the concerns were overblown. This statement has been perceived as dismissive, with community members expressing frustration over a lack of understanding of their needs. Local resident Cynthia McDonald emphasized the significance of homeownership, stating that owning a home is vital for building memories and community ties. She pointed out that the current city initiative, “Neighborhoods Where We All Belong,” may not meet the long-term housing needs of community members if it primarily provides market-rate rentals and luxury apartments.
The city’s existing weak inclusionary housing ordinance does not include options for for-sale housing, raising alarm bells about the long-term viability of the city’s housing strategy. The Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan, which is intended to address housing development in the area, is reportedly not making significant progress.
The approved Victoria Place project will feature a mix of 20 detached family homes and 122 stacked flats, with plans for seven units designated for very-low-income homeowners. Each unit will have two-car tandem garages, alongside public and private open spaces, like rooftop balconies and private backyards. Developer Meritage Homes has characterized the project as creating “missing middle housing” aimed to support young families and individuals moving from rentals to ownership.
Despite the council’s approval, local residents are still concerned about the impact of the development on traffic and parking. The recent Planning Commission meeting revealed mixed feedback, with support from some local business representatives countered by apprehension from nearby residents over potential car traffic overflow and inadequate parking facilities. Furthermore, residents have expressed worries about the proposed heights of some units reaching up to 52 feet, which could overshadow surrounding one-story homes.
The council’s decision arises amid wider discussions about housing development across Costa Mesa. Most notably, concerns have been raised regarding the city’s upzoning proposals, which some believe will not adequately incorporate neighborhoods where City Council members reside. Community feedback has highlighted the necessity of allowing new residents opportunities for homeownership to foster community building.
As the housing crisis continues to escalate, Costa Mesa’s Planning Commission has supported the need for new housing, acknowledging the urgent demand for residential units in the area. Nonetheless, the city council is set to re-evaluate the Victoria Place proposal on August 5th, indicating that ongoing public discourse regarding housing strategies is critical in shaping the future of Costa Mesa’s urban environment.
The property in question has a historical connection as the headquarters for the Trinity Broadcasting Network, having changed ownership multiple times prior to its current proposed development. The ongoing community discussions surrounding housing strategies and urban planning will likely continue as Costa Mesa navigates its growth and development needs in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Victoria Place Housing Project Approved
- Orange County Register: New Housing Community Proposed
- Orange County Business Journal: Costa Mesa Approves Housing Units
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Rezoning Open House
- Orange County Register: Affordable Housing Project for Seniors Approved
- Wikipedia: Costa Mesa, California
- Google Search: Costa Mesa housing issues
- Google Scholar: Costa Mesa housing development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Costa Mesa
- Google News: Costa Mesa housing community
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
