Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Costa Mesa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Municipal Facilities Master Plan & Deferred Maintenance
The council will review lease revenue bonds and award a construction contract to rebuild Fire Station No. 2, improving emergency response infrastructure.
Existing Litigation and Legal Defense Strategy
The council is reviewing multiple active lawsuits, including state housing department challenges and local property disputes, which could impact city policies and finances.
Fire Station No. 2 Reconstruction and Financing
The city moved forward with a long-awaited $14.8 million construction contract and $16 million in lease revenue bonds to rebuild the aging Fire Station No. 2.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and Safety Element Updates
The city adopted updated policies for climate resilience, safety hazards, and environmental justice to comply with state laws and position itself for grant funding.
Successor Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for City Labor Units
The city is holding closed-door labor talks with executive employees, the fire association, and the fire management association to work out contracts and compensation.
Sober Living Home Regulation & Neighborhood Compatibility
The council considered whether to approve a conditional use permit allowing the Ohio House sober living home on East Wilson Street to operate for up to 45 adults across five units.
Comprehensive Housing Element Implementation and Zoning Overhaul
The city adopted a comprehensive zoning overhaul to implement Measure K and the housing element, creating options for mixed-use and multifamily housing along commercial corridors.
Information Technology Strategic Plan Phase II
Council members raised concerns about ongoing challenges, bottlenecks, and limited vendor support associated with the TESSA land management and permitting system, urging staff to prioritize improvements and explore artificial intelligence solutions.
Joanne Bike Trail Lighting and Vandalism Repair
City staff provided an update on repairing the severely vandalized Joanne bike trail lighting, noting that new solar-powered pole lights will be installed by the end of the year to replace vulnerable electrical wiring.
Estancia Park Memorial Installations
The commission considered and approved two separate memorial donations at Estancia Park, prompting discussions on park tree species, urban forestry, and maintenance standards.
Moon Park Revitalization and Safety Upgrades
The city is planning a major overhaul of Moon Park based on extensive community feedback. The design addresses resident concerns by improving sightlines for parents, adding playground upgrades and slides, and creating a safety buffer and fence along the busy Santa Ana River bike trail.
Shalimar Park Expansion and Community Center Design
The city is moving forward with designing and building an expanded park space next to Shalimar Park on Shalimar Drive. While the initial phase will create a green open gathering and recreation area using existing funds, residents and youth leaders strongly advocated for funding a full community center in future budget cycles.
Surveillance Technology & Data Privacy Concerns
The police department is expanding its autonomous drone program by purchasing three docking stations and a Skydio X10 drone using grant funds. While supporters highlighted faster response times and officer safety, several residents raised concerns regarding privacy, mass surveillance, and data security.
Fairview Developmental Center redevelopment
The city debated adopting a massive specific plan for the 95-acre Fairview Developmental Center site. Residents voiced major concerns over high density, severe traffic congestion, and the loss of green space, while housing advocates emphasized the critical need for affordable housing options in Costa Mesa.
Sidewalk and Traffic Infrastructure Investments
Following new state legislation (AB 382), the city adopted a resolution lowering school zone speed limits on residential streets to 20 mph. This change aims to increase pedestrian safety for children walking and biking to local schools like College Park Elementary.
Real Property Negotiation at 3303 Hyland Avenue
City leaders are discussing potential acquisition or lease terms for property at 3303 Hyland Avenue with negotiators.
Animal Services Contract
Costa Mesa is locking in a new animal services deal, but locals aren't happy because the city skipped the usual citizen oversight process. It's a classic case of the government making moves behind closed doors, leaving residents wondering what else might slip through the cracks.
One Metro West Public Art Integration
Developers of the One Metro West project shared their updated plans for artistic integration along the I-405 freeway, featuring architectural stepping, lighting, and greenery instead of a parking garage.
Arts and Culture Master Plan Update
The city is launching an update to its Arts and Culture Master Plan with consulting firm MIG, utilizing community surveys and focus groups over the coming months.
21-Unit Residential Development at 396 East 21st Street
A proposal to build 21 single-family homes on a long-vacant mobile home park site, featuring one very low-income affordable unit and utilizing state density bonus waivers.
Dick's House of Sport Retail Expansion
Dick's Sporting Goods is bringing its experiential 'House of Sport' concept to Harbor Boulevard, featuring a climbing wall, golf simulators, and updated retail space that requires a height variance.
Paddle Up Commercial Padel Facility
A vacant commercial parking lot on Harbor Boulevard is being transformed into a five-court commercial padel tennis facility, bringing a fast-growing racket sport to the city.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan Priorities
The city is weighing a $33.4 million budget for next year's infrastructure and park projects, balancing major expenses like fire station bonds against neighborhood park repairs and street improvements.
Park Ranger Operations and E-Bike Enforcement
Costa Mesa is taking an active stance on state legislation, formally supporting bills aimed at reining in e-bike safety issues and giving feedback on speed limits.
Measure Q Cannabis Tax Revenue Allocation for Housing
The council debated a proposed first-time homebuyer grant program funded by Measure Q cannabis tax revenues before voting to defer the plan to a study session to explore broader housing trust fund priorities.
Annual ArtVenture Festival Preparations
The city is gearing up for its annual ArtVenture celebration on September 12 at Lions Park and Norma Herzog Community Center, featuring live music, art displays, and community awards.
Shalimar Park Sidewalk Poetry Project
Local residents submitted poems celebrating service, safety, and heroism to be embedded in sidewalks at Ketchum-Libolt Park.
Airport Land Use Commission Inconsistency Overrule
The city initiated a 45-day process to overrule the Airport Land Use Commission's inconsistency determination regarding housing and zoning updates.
Sixth Cycle Housing Element Update
The city adopted crucial updates to its Housing Element to comply with state laws and address regional housing needs, adding nearly 7,000 new housing units of capacity across multiple sites while incorporating environmental justice policies.
Park Maintenance and In-House Repairs
Residents and commissioners highlighted that 15 of the city's 32 parks are rated "C" priority, reflecting a systemic backlog in playground replacement, aging infrastructure, and a lack of a comprehensive open space funding strategy.
Senior Transportation Program Changes
The city is revamping its senior transit program due to high demand and budget limits. Seniors and commissioners weighed in on ride caps, medical destinations, and co-pays to keep the service sustainable.
New Community Gardens Location Study
The city is studying potential locations for a new community garden, and the Commission formed a dedicated evaluation team of three commissioners to collaborate with staff on research and outreach.
Costa Mesa Tennis Center Operations
A local resident and RFP bidder expressed concern over low community engagement and daytime usage at the Costa Mesa Tennis Center.
Preservation of Mesa Linda Golf Course and Traffic Access
Residents and golf advocates raised serious concerns that the proposed secondary access road will cut through the Mesa Linda Golf Course, disrupting youth golf programs and reducing open recreational space.
Wildlife and Habitat Impacts at Lions Park
Residents raised concerns over recent vegetation removal at Lions Park, warning that clearing cactus patches disrupted local wildlife burrows, created hazards from off-leash dogs, and exposed potential unintended consequences from pest control.
Zoning Code Modernization for Non-Residential Uses
The city initiated code amendments to update commercial land use classifications, streamline emerging business models like ghost kitchens and artisan studios, and clarify height and floor area ratio standards.
Coast Community College District Property Rezoning Request
The Coast Community College District requested that the city rezone district-owned property on Adams Avenue from institutional to high-density residential to support housing needs.
Business License Tax Reform
Costa Mesa hasn't updated its business license tax since 1985, meaning large corporations pay the same flat $200 fee as small shops. The city is considering switching to a sliding scale based on gross receipts to fund essential public safety and infrastructure without hurting small local businesses.
Parks and Community Services ROCKS Program
After initial confusion and concern over proposed cuts to the after-school ROCKS program at nine school sites, city staff reversed course and confirmed the program will continue with online registration opening.
Indoor Trampoline Park Approval
A new family-friendly indoor trampoline park called Jumpstart is moving into a vacant storefront at 2200 Harbor Boulevard, bringing new recreation options and breathing life into an underutilized shopping center.
7-Eleven Alcohol License Upgrade on Paularino Avenue
The 7-Eleven convenience store requested an upgrade from a beer and wine license to a general liquor license, featuring a secure, locked display for distilled spirits.
Parks and Recreation User Fee Adjustments
The city is evaluating its recreation and park rental fees for the first time since 2017/2019 to improve cost recovery, which currently sits at about 17%. While some commissioners want to keep fee increases modest to protect low-income residents, others favor more aggressive adjustments for commercial users and non-residents to fund future park maintenance.
Tree Trimming and Urban Canopy Health
Staff presented a baseline study of Costa Mesa's tree canopy, showing coverage at nearly 14%. The council directed staff to bring back expansion strategies and cost estimates by April.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Adjustment
The city's hotel tax sits at 8%, lower than many neighboring cities. Officials explored raising it by up to 3% to generate revenue, but local hoteliers warned it could harm competitiveness against nearby Irvine.
Jack Hammett Sports Complex Fields 1 and 2 Renovation
The city is investing nearly $470,000 to level and re-sod fields 1 and 2 at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex ahead of the fall tournament season.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget
The city adopted a $245.9 million overall budget that balances revenues and expenditures without raising taxes or tapping reserves, though council members raised concerns about police overtime assumptions and vacancy savings.
Fairview Park Fly Field Operations and Costs
Public commenters raised concerns that the city is subsidizing the Fairview Park fly field without collecting permit fees from users, and pointed out potential future relocation and environmental compliance costs.
Homeless Encampments and Public Safety Near Santa Ana River Trail
Residents expressed frustration over safety hazards and delayed road repairs caused by homeless encampments near the Adams Bridge and Santa Ana River Trail.
Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter Operations Contract
Costa Mesa is partnering regionally to allow Irvine residents access to available beds at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
Rising Electricity Rates and Utility Affordability
Residents urged the city council to adopt resolutions supporting state legislation to curb utility rate hikes and excessive profits by Southern California Edison.