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Costa Mesa Approves 2,300-Unit Housing Development on Former State Hospital Site
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved a large-scale housing development project on the former site of the Fairview Developmental Center, a state hospital campus that closed in 2022. The approved plan includes 2,300 residential units, with 920 designated as affordable housing for low-income tenants. The development will occupy the 80-acre site previously used for housing over 2,500 patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which was transitioned to community-based care. The project features 35,000 square feet of commercial space for retail, dining, fitness, and childcare facilities, along with 25 acres of public open space for parks, trails, and recreational areas. Council members rejected a more expansive proposal that would have allowed up to 4,000 units, though the city faces state mandates requiring 11,760 additional residential units by 2030. The approved plan also preserves the Mesa Linda golf course at the Costa Mesa Country Club, which would have been affected by a secondary access road if the unit count exceeded 2,300. Councilmember Arlis Reynolds emphasized the importance of affordable housing, noting that half of Costa Mesa residents spend over 30% of their income on housing. The project remains subject to potential density increases through state incentives for affordable housing development. The approval marks a significant step in redeveloping the former hospital campus, aligning with broader state efforts to shift care models for individuals with disabilities toward community-based living arrangements.
