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The Fairview Developmental Center (FDC) Specific Plan is a City led project to create a Specific Plan (new land use regulations – see What is a Specific Plan below) for the former FDC site as well as an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Specific Plan process involves community input resulting in a vision statement and guiding principles, a market study, land use alternatives, as well as technical studies for traffic, infrastructure (water, sewer, and storm drain), noise, a tree survey and more. These studies will inform the creation of the plan which will ultimately set a land use plan, development and design standards, mobility plan, infrastructure plan, and phasing, implementation and financing plan, as well as an administrative process for approving future development.
A Specific Plan is tool used by jurisdictions to implement the general plan in a defined area within a city. The required content is established by Sections 65450 – 65457 of the California Government Code. A Specific Plan provides an additional layer of planning control, detailed standards and design direction that may supplement and/or differ from a City’s traditional zoning regulations. In addition to establishing a land use plan and development regulations, a Specific Plan must also provide conceptual plans for circulation and infrastructure improvements needed to support the intended land uses. It must also address the phasing of development, financing, and how development applications will be processed. On adoption, statutory provisions allow streamlined processing for projects consistent with a specific plan for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Supplemental EIR has been prepared.
The Fairview Developmental Center Specific Plan will be the basis for all future development applications on the site. The developer(s) selected by the State will be required to comply with the adopted Specific Plan.
Yes, the City has adopted a number of Specific Plans over the years, including the East 17th Street Specific Plan, the Newport Boulevard Specific Plan, and the North Costa Mesa Specific Plan.
The project was initiated in September 2023 and will be completed around the end of 2026. The State is expected to start its developer selection process while the Specific Plan is being drafted.
| Planned Housing Units by Income Level | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income Category | Very Low Income | Low Income | Moderate Income | Above Moderate Income | Total |
| Estimated Income1 | $51,500 | $82,400 | $123,600 | >$123,601 | — |
| Example Rent per Month | $1,199 – $1,315 | $2,003 – $2,208 | $2,807 – $3,101 | >$3,101 | — |
| Planned Units2 | 575 | 345 | 690 | 690 | 2,300 |
1. Incomes established for a family of four (4) by HUD and as referenced in the Costa Mesa Housing Element.
2. Planned units do not include those that can be achieved through density bonus.
The development of the plan will be phased out over several years. At this stage, there is no set date for completion and availability of housing. However, as the project progresses, the city will keep the community informed. For more housing resources visit https://www.ochousing.org/2023-waiting-list-opening.
The Fairview Developmental Specific Plan is a community-led process. During each stage of the process there will be in-person and virtual workshops provided in both Spanish and English, booths at community events, on-line surveys, and other activities. Additionally, meeting summaries, PowerPoint presentations, and materials will be made available online after each workshop.
Yes, there are a few state bills that allow for special needs housing. Additionally, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) is planning to build an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). More information about each project is provided below.
SB 82, passed in 2015, allows up to 20 acres of the plan area to be used for new housing for the developmentally disabled. The potential project permitted by the bill is Mixed-Income State Housing and is formerly known as “Shannon’s Mountain”. While the bill allows for supportive housing on site, development options include integration with new housing throughout the specific plan.
SB 138, passed in 2023, authorizes the State Department of Developmental Services to construct up to three complex needs homes (5 persons per home, 15 people max) that would require 24/7 staffing. The State budget includes up to $10.5 million to construct the homes. These homes would house individuals for up to 18 months before they transition to another community-based setting.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is moving forward to build an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on 15 acres at the southwestern corner of the plan area. The EOC will support full-time staff and establish a regional center to serve as a hub for critical emergency management planning and emergency preparedness services in support of local agencies.
Operations are non-emergency related, therefore the EOC will not serve as a shelter or a staging area for first responders. Additionally, the State has removed funding for the helipad originally included in the plans from the budget so there will be no helicopters landing at the site.
Operations at the EOC will include: