Alicia Robinson
Don't be surprised if homes pop up on Harbor Boulevard next to the
Fairview Developmental Center in the next few years.
The state has received about 18 offers from developers on a
roughly five-acre parcel it owns there.
The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday considered changing the
property's zoning from high-density residential to
public/institutional use, but council members ultimately decided to
pursue a slightly lower-density residential zoning. That change would
mean a total of 75 units could be built versus the 100 units allowed
by current zoning.
The property was part of a 54-acre piece that the city originally
zoned for public use but rezoned in 1985 for high-density residential
use at the state's request. The land was then developed with 563
units of rental housing, but 5 acres remained vacant.
A previous council in August 2004 asked to change the zoning of
the vacant piece to public/institutional use, hoping to encourage
more public land uses in the city. But the present council, which
includes three new members, decided medium-density housing would make
more sense on the property.
"We have so many needs in the city and that includes housing, and
I think we have to look at each area in terms of what will best fit
there," Mayor Allan Mansoor said Wednesday. "Housing seems to work
there."
The parcel is likely too small for athletic fields plus the needed
parking, and a library would work better next to City Hall, he said,
adding that other sites on the developmental center property and
elsewhere in the city could be viable recreation space, though they
may not be for sale at the moment.
Though state officials have opposed any zoning change to the
property, they were pleased the density wasn't reduced as much as
originally proposed, said Frank Davidson, spokesman for the state
Department of General Services.
"We're thankful for that, and we just plan to move forward and
select a buyer that can work with the city to get their project
approved," he said.
Davidson was unable to disclose any information on prospective
buyers or their bids.
The state offered the Fairview parcel to the city for $15 million,
but Councilman Gary Monahan on Tuesday called that price "out of our
range."
But a city bid on the property is not out of the question, City
Manager Allan Roeder said.
The council isn't allowed to use its zoning power to affect
property values, so its interest in the land has been kept a separate
issue, he said.
The medium-density zoning proposed by the council Tuesday still
must go through the planning commission and then be formally approved
by the council.
