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Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Costa Mesa Council approves 40-unit Victoria Place, after planning commission denial
Perhaps not willing to let perfect be the enemy of the good, the Costa Mesa City Council last week approved plans for Victoria Place, a 40-unit complex near Newport Boulevard and Victoria Street previously rejected by the city's planning commission. During its earlier consideration of the condominium complex — which would be included in a rare and never-initiated residential overlay district allowing commercial properties to be used for housing — the planning commission denied the proposal in a 5-2 vote during a June 9 meeting. Commissioners contended the 1.77-acre parcel qualifies for rezoning under the voter-backed Measure K initiative and, as such, could potentially be more thoroughly developed to meet Costa Mesa's housing needs than what they regarded as the archaic mish-mash of alternative approaches and deviations placed before them. There's just one hitch. The citywide rezoning of certain commercial corridors under Measure K, passed in 2022, hasn't happened and is only now in the visioning stages. So while a transformation of the partially vacant site, currently home to a lighting store and boat storage facilities, into needed housing might be a welcome one, ideas on how to optimize that shift differ. Furthermore, the City Council initially reviewed the plan in a screening nearly one year ago, providing feedback on open space, landscaping and pedestrian safety, suggestions that were incorporated into an amended version of the plan. 'You were responsive to what we said in August,' Mayor John Stephens told applicant WMC Partners' Tony Weeda ahead of the July 15 vote. 'And it wouldn't be fair play, in my opinion, to lay some other objectives on you that we wouldn't express in August.' The approval of Victoria Place — named after the small side street it fronts — allows for 18 duplexes and four detached residences, each comprising roughly 2,700 square feet in three stories with a ground-floor work space, two-car garage, balcony and rooftop deck standing 39 feet, 6 inches in height. Although they are ownership dwellings, nothing would prevent an owner from renting out a unit. Fitting those units on the smallish lot requires setback reductions, a shrinking of space in between buildings and in garage width and a reduction in parking spaces, from the 150 required to just 103. Those entitlements and others will be codified in a site-specific master plan under the city's residential incentive overlay district, created in 2016 but never applied until now. Don Lamm — a consultant for WMC who also served as Costa Mesa's deputy city manager and developmental services director from 1986 to 2009 — told the council what planning commissioners saw as too-abundant 'deviations' might be instead viewed as viable alternatives for breathing life into an underutilized area. 'This is simply a very nice [40-unit] condominium project on a property that really needs to be recycled or redeveloped,' Lamm said. 'In reality, these deviations are good because it's the incentive the applicant needs to build this project to provide these new housing units.' Two people who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting criticized the project as an inefficient use of the land and for the potential increased vehicle traffic it could present for residents. 'There's no clear expectation, either for the public or developer, no ideal to conform to that reflects what the city and public would like to see in the future,' said Costa Mesa resident and City Hall critic Cynthia McDonald. 'The planning commission got it right — this needs to be rethought.' Council members, however, favored the project, making minor modifications so that a landscaped peninsula out front, to remain under the city's purview, would be protected from vehicle traffic and steps would be taken to add architectural elements to the ends of the units fronting Victoria Place. Stephens said the development will transform a site that is currently blighted. 'It's exactly on point with language we had in Measure K, which we all fought so hard to get passed to change our kind-of outdated land use into housing,' he said. 'Could it be better? I don't know. [But] it's going to be a huge improvement when we drive by.'
Los Angeles Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Costa Mesa's bridge shelter gets state funding for 15 more behavioral health beds
Thanks to a $750,000 allocation from a state lawmaker, Costa Mesa will soon be add 15 more behavioral health beds at its bridge shelter, doubling its capacity to serve individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. City officials announced last week Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) had earmarked funds in the state's 2025-26 budget to help grow the behavioral healthcare program at the Airway Avenue facility, from 15 dedicated beds to 30. 'This expansion of services fills the gap needed to effectively transition people with mental health and addiction issues off the streets and into permanent housing through the city's Bridge Shelter,' Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens stated in a July 10 news release. The city's bridge shelter opened in March 2021 with 69 daily resident beds for men and women and three more beds that could be used during emergency intake situations. The city of Newport Beach, through a memorandum of understanding, agreed to pay $1.6 million toward the construction of the shelter, along with another $1 million for access to up to 20 beds across a five-year period. Today, the facility serves about 200 people annually and has helped hundreds secure permanent housing. Hoping to increase the reach of the shelter, Costa Mesa officials in 2024 partnered with the Orange County Health Care Agency to create a space for 15 behavioral health beds at the shelter, taking in $4.2 million in Behavioral Health Bridge Housing funds to pay for the addition. Newport Beach requested access to five of the 15 beds, increasing its annual payment to the city to $1.275 million. The need at the time was dire — about 33% of Orange County's homeless population at that time were estimated to have substance abuse issues, while roughly 30% had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. One year into the program, the Costa Mesa shelter has served 53 individuals with behavioral health care services, nine of whom went on to secure permanent housing, city officials reported in the release. Petrie-Norris said the investment helps take care of the county's most vulnerable neighbors and seeks to make sure no one falls through the cracks. 'By expanding behavioral health services at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter, we're helping people facing serious mental health and substance use challenges get the support they need to heal, rebuild, and find a path to stable housing,' she said in a statement. 'I'm grateful to the [city] for its leadership and proud to help bring these critical state resources to our community.' Behavioral health clients served on site have access to a dedicated case manager and an OCHCA clinician who can assess and refer residents to county services as well as licensed in-patient detox facilities and out-patient residential rehabilitation programs.
Los Angeles Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Even in uncertain times, ‘Costa Mesa cares,' mayor assures in State of the City
Even during periods of economic and political uncertainty, it's not difficult to find someone in the city of Costa Mesa — whether it's a city employee, charitable organization or volunteer — who cares. From housing assistance and medical care, to free meals and after-school programs, legions of individuals and groups willing and ready to assist collaborate daily to make sure no one falls through the cracks or is left behind. That was the message delivered Wednesday by Mayor John Stephens, before a crowd of some 300 people during an annual State of the City luncheon at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, presented by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. As this year's topic focused on the theme 'Costa Mesa Cares,' Stephens elaborated on the vital role nonprofits play in helping the city activate its core values of inclusion, compassion and collaboration. Although City Hall may be a clearinghouse for access to assistance programs, it's not always a person's first destination, the mayor acknowledged in an interview after the event. 'For a lot of people, their first contact when they're in need is one of these organizations. If they're hungry, they go to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. If they need medical treatment, they go to Share Ourselves,' he said. 'There's a whole web of groups that serve people differently. And they're not only saving people's lives, they're enhancing people's lives.' While the annual address is typically an opportunity for the city's mayor to expound upon the accomplishments of the prior year, Stephens changed up the script, instead presenting a slideshow of the various nonprofit entities that serve the community. Along with the video appeared lyrics to the song 'Lean on Me,' to which Stephens and others in the crowd sang in unison as images of various churches, assistance groups and public agencies flashed across the screen. Wednesday's presentation, which followed a local business expo hosted by the chamber, included a panel discussion with three individuals whose charitable organizations are well known throughout the local community. Bill Bracken, chef and namesake founder of Bracken's Kitchen, Mary Cappellini, executive director of Save Our Youth (SOY) and Jennifer Friend, chief executive of Project Hope Alliance, spoke on their groups' respective origin stories and missions and how they came to helm the organizations. Stephens said the trio is among a cohort of organizations that collaborate closely with the city to provide needed services, including at Costa Mesa's bridge shelter, and programs for seniors, youth and residents in need. 'The objective of the event was to highlight the collaboration the city government has with all these nonprofits helping various people in need at different levels,' he added. 'There are so many it was hard for me to mention them all — that's really a testament to the sheer number of nonprofits here.'
BBC News
23-06-2025
- BBC News
Work to begin on improving Plymouth city centre bus services
Work to improve bus services in Plymouth will begin next month, the council has City Council (PCC) said the Royal Parade bus improvement scheme aimed to reduce congestion and improve reliability by increasing its number of bus stops on the shop side of the city local authority said the scheme would reduce delays, cut queues and help make going by bus "more attractive" than opting for a private John Stephens said it was part of the council's ambition to encourage people to make greener travel choices. He said: "Plymouth needs to improve bus services to make it easier for everyone to get to work, school, shops and businesses, friends or family. "Nearly 25% of households in Plymouth do not have a car and with the city's population expected to grow, improving sustainable travel choices is vital to keeping the city moving." The scheme will take about nine months to be carried out, and will begin on 7 bus stops on the shop side of Royal Parade between Courtenay Street and St Andrews Cross roundabout will be closed and temporary stops will be made available in alternative locations across the city eastbound side of Royal Parade will also be reduced to one lane for all vehicles."We realise there is going to be some upheaval for a time for passengers, but please bear with us as the long-term gain will be better bus journeys," Mr Stephens scheme is set to cost about £7.4m overall, funded by the Department for Transport's Transforming Cities Fund and Bus Grant, Historic England's Heritage Action Zone funding and the Council's Better Places funding.
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Once a ‘rule of law' city, Costa Mesa offers assurances to Latinos amid ICE activity
As federal immigration enforcement efforts ramp up throughout Orange County, officials in Costa Mesa, where Latinos comprise nearly 36% of the population, this week reassured residents the city's police department would not enforce immigration laws or investigate residents' legal status. In a community message issued Tuesday on behalf of Mayor John Stephens and Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, leaders reaffirmed the city's commitment to the safety of all residents. 'We stand firmly by our core values of inclusivity and compassion for all members of our diverse community,' read the statement, which promised safe harbor to peaceful protesters while offering a warning to those who might use a demonstration to justify acts of violence, vandalism or property damage. 'The Costa Mesa Police Department cannot and will not enforce immigration laws nor investigate immigration status,' the missive continued. 'If there is a crime that needs to be reported, or if you are in need of officer assistance, our police department is here for you, regardless of immigration status — do not hesitate to call for help.' The proclamation comes amid reports this week of enhanced ICE sightings and activity in the neighboring cities of Santa Ana and Fountain Valley, where individuals have been reportedly detained by agents in the course of normal daily activities, including at job sites. 'The impetus [for the message] was a palpable fear we were sensing in the community from our Latino residents, so our intention was to alleviate some of the concerns,' said Chavez, who represents the predominantly Latino 4th Council District on the city's west side. 'It was really important for us to remind folks CMPD supports everyone in the community — it's so vital for me that my residents feel comfortable calling CMPD if anything happens.' Tuesday's message is a far cry from Costa Mesa's earlier stances on immigration enforcement and the role local police officers should play in reporting and tracking residents' legal status. The federal government in 2006 agreed to assign a full-time immigration agent to work inside Costa Mesa's jail so the residency of detainees could be verified. Prior to that, such verification was undertaken by the Orange County Sheriff's Department but was not common at the city level. Over the next four years, nearly 1,300 individuals processed through the jail would be identified as undocumented immigrants, according to city records, although it is unknown how many were processed or deported at the federal level. The move was championed by then-Mayor Allan Mansoor, a vocal anti-immigrant activist, who was still on the council in 2010, when a conservative-led, five-member council voted to declare Costa Mesa a 'rule of law' city. Resolution No. 10-27 pledged the city would support federal immigration enforcement through the adoption of local measures and would not be a sanctuary to those who violated immigration laws. Mayor Pro Tem Chavez in an interview Thursday recalled being 15 at the time the declaration was made. The anti-Latino sentiment in the community was thinly veiled and families were reluctant to contact the police at the time. 'There was a lot of rhetoric. You knew it was there and you couldn't hide from it,' he said. 'For me, the perception of my community and what we felt was there was no need to call the police. That's how I grew up.' Chavez was 22 years old in 2018, when a group of residents and officials rallied for the city to officially oppose Senate Bill 54, a 'sanctuary state' law that provided expanded protection for undocumented immigrants. He translated the public comment of a Spanish-speaking resident who wished to share her concerns with the council and later that year ran for a seat on the newly districted council and won with nearly 61% of the vote. 'It was at that moment I felt the need to step up for residents in my community, who are here working and following the rules and following the law but just happen to be undocumented,' the mayor pro tem said. 'They just want the American dream, to have a roof over their heads, food on the table, a good job and good education for their children.' Roberto Herrera is a leadership development director for Resilience Orange County, a nonprofit social justice group that aims to build leadership and representation in local communities of color. Since 2022, the group has created the neighborhood initiative Costa Mesa Unidos to focus, in part, on tenant protections. He said a series of public arrests earlier this year involving Homeland Security agents in Costa Mesa, even if not directly related to immigration enforcement, have raised concerns about an increased federal presence in town. 'I was working with city council members to verify if this [activity] involved CMPD,' Herrera said. 'I think this initial effort was to blanket all those in the immigrant community as criminals.' While advocates appreciate Costa Mesa officials' efforts to reassure the immigrant community of their inclusion and protection, Herrera suggested the city might take a page from Santa Ana, and support a legal defense fund for detained residents. 'Right now, this message to the public is helpful, but I believe the city can do more,' he said. 'People are being detained and deported, so legal services are what's needed right now.' Costa Mesa police officials declined requests for an interview on the department's history of immigration enforcement and policing in years past, but spokesperson Roxi Fyad on Thursday affirmed this week's message in a separate comment. 'We, as a local police department in California, cannot and will not enforce immigration laws nor investigate immigration status. We are here to protect and serve our community,' she said.
