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Costa Mesa Planning Commission Rejects Victoria Place Complex

Conceptual image of the rejected Victoria Place Condominium Complex in Costa Mesa.

News Summary

The Costa Mesa Planning Commission has voted 5-2 against the Victoria Place condominium complex, which aimed to develop 40 housing units. Concerns regarding traffic increase and requested concessions heavily influenced the decision. With a significant renter population and rising housing prices, city leaders are eager for homeownership projects, but the commission emphasized the need for a cohesive plan addressing traffic and development sustainability. The proposal will now be forwarded to the City Council for further consideration.

Costa Mesa — The Costa Mesa Planning Commission voted against the proposed Victoria Place condominium complex, which sought to develop 40 housing units at 220 Victoria Street. The commission’s decision, in a 5-2 vote, was significantly influenced by concerns related to the requested concessions and potential traffic increases in the vicinity of Newport Boulevard.

With approximately 60% of its population being renters and housing prices climbing steadily, city leaders are eager to see a boost in homeownership projects. The City Council had earlier reviewed the Victoria Place proposal in August 2024, directing developers to enhance common areas, provide ample open space, and improve landscaping in their design.

The proposed project occupies a 1.77-acre commercial lot located just west of Newport Boulevard. It features 18 duplexes and four detached residences, each designed to be about 2,700 square feet, consisting of three stories. Proposed amenities include ground-floor workspaces, two-car garages, balconies, and rooftop decks, all with a maximum height of 39 feet, 6 inches.

The site’s proximity to Newport Boulevard qualifies it for rezoning under Measure K, a 2022 initiative permitting high-density housing developments along designated commercial and industrial corridors. However, the requisite rezoning for Victoria Place had not been finalized, prompting the developers to explore alternative strategies for project approval. The proposal asked for inclusion in a residential incentive overlay district, established in 2016 for facilitating high-density residential use, as the property sought to be designated as the fifth site under this overlay.

Historically, the Smith Street overlay had only seen four sites qualify within two years of its initiation. The current plan endeavors to overcome initial hurdles faced in obtaining this designation. However, it faced scrutiny as the applicants requested additional concessions beyond those permissible under the overlay. These included reduced side and rear setbacks, narrow garage and parking stall dimensions, and decreased open space allotment.

In addressing community needs, the site plans for Victoria Place propose a barbecue area, a play area, and a flexible-use space designated for events and emergency access. The complex is suggested to be gated, intended to ensure safety for children using the neighborhood’s amenities.

While architects aimed to maximize housing capacity—an encouragement from the city—commissioners expressed apprehensions over multiple concessions sought by the developers. The discussions highlighted a lack of a cohesive plan for all Measure K sites. Several commissioners voiced concerns regarding the significant traffic implications this project could bring to an already busy Newport Boulevard.

Commissioner David Martinez pointed out that the absence of a comprehensive approach towards Measure K implementations left the project feeling incomplete. Meanwhile, Commissioner Rob Dickson raised fairness issues regarding past zoning delays and noted the council’s previous approval of the project’s concept. Following the planning commission meeting, the project is set to be forwarded to the City Council for further deliberation.

The divided planning commission’s response reflects ongoing tensions in Costa Mesa between the demand for increased housing supply and the community’s concerns about sustainable development practices and traffic management in busy areas.