Costa Mesa Council Approves 2,300-Unit Housing Project at Former Fairview Developmental Center Site

The Costa Mesa City Council recently approved a substantial housing development on the former Fairview Developmental Center site, a state hospital campus that closed in 2022. The plan includes 2,300 residences, with 920 units designated as affordable housing for qualified low-income tenants. This decision advances a long-term strategy to repurpose the 80-acre property, which previously housed over 2,500 patients.

While no developer has been selected, the project is expected to feature apartment buildings and other multi-unit formats. It will also incorporate 35,000 square feet of commercial space for retail, restaurants, and services, alongside 25 acres of publicly accessible open space for parks and recreational trails. The Council opted for 2,300 units, resisting an earlier Planning Commission proposal for up to 4,000 units, despite state pressure to increase housing supply. Costa Mesa is mandated to add 11,760 residential units by the decade's end.

The approved plan also avoids changes to the Mesa Linda golf course, which would have been impacted by a higher unit count. However, the total unit count could still increase due to state density bonus provisions for projects with sufficient affordable housing. Councilmember Arlis Reynolds highlighted the project's timeliness, noting that many Costa Mesans spend over 30% of their income on housing, emphasizing the foundational importance of stable, affordable housing. This approval marks a significant step in addressing housing needs and repurposing state-owned land.