[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6327804,"mediaKeyId","2322030-f0ace993db6d9cb5296b0e87e8332cab","parentId",2322030,"title","Council hears Fairview Park master‑plan overview; consultants, tribal group and public flag restoration, habitat and use conflicts","audioSeconds",12187,"startMs",2536000,"endMs",14723000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322030-f0ace993db6d9cb5296b0e87e8332cab&start=2536&end=14723","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322030-f0ace993db6d9cb5296b0e87e8332cab/thumbnail_2536000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6327804/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Council-hears-Fairview-Park-masterplan-overview-consultants-tribal-group-and-public-flag-restoration-habitat-and-use-conflicts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327804-8bd08b782b5477b7c7d44f3a99e0f904/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173472&Signature=VsnAsOlKBBnSSSDx~WPMn6fr4~lFvR9J4R9t2UiLQnEZYh~-aodiaK~CIf~3npx29sN-ZYDjSNz7~KZeWIbJgHZI~wQvk6VfIqY0OEmTLBDmYalj-0JPZnQhSS1u5QP8NpYtW8GHZAQKX7HFDloZm8NirxOfk4hHN94DVJo8F-2wMX~s111KZT~4aEvB-LmXkeZ~Sk64SWXAhNtkKYoB65efY0oygJxURv6Ni2cKLJ~tLlX6vLTKzvJMpRCfgqc-YdqJAC3AMY8L321U98KBodEEeRSsYA2DVwHFP9QeeMV7OeDJSpDPLduIWD-nxXhdODqUzuHYDtwMt6NSYno38Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Costa Mesa","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Costa Mesa's Parks and Community Services Department presented a high‑level overview of the Fairview Park Master Plan update at the City Council's Jan. 28 special meeting, framing the park as a biologically and culturally unique urban open space and launching a second public study session set for Feb. 11.

The project team — Parks Director Brian Gruner and consultants Jenny Zell (MIG), Travis Brooks (restoration ecologist, Land IQ) and Rob Hamilton (biologist) — told council the city's 208‑acre Fairview Park contains rare habitat types, a vernal‑pool complex that supports federally listed fairy shrimp, regionally significant coastal sage scrub, multiple migratory and resident bird species and two nationally registered archaeological sites. The consultants described long‑running volunteer restoration efforts, tribal advisory consultations and federal, state and local regulatory constraints that will shape future restoration and management actions.

The master‑plan update is structured as a two‑part study session. Part 1 (the Jan. 28 presentation) reviewed park history and existing conditions, community outreach and the plan's goals: protect passive open space, preserve cultural resources, clarify trails and public access, expand education and enable future restoration and grant‑funded work. Consultants said the plan is intended to align past voter protections (identified in the staff presentation as a 2016 Measure A) and earlier master plans with current ecological science and community expectations.

Key findings and data presented: consultants described the park's distinct landscape positions — the Mesa, bluffs and lower alluvial plain — and a historical record showing how channelization of the Santa Ana River and past fill altered hydrology. The consultants said the largest vernal pool on the mesa is among the largest of its type west of the Mississippi and supports two federally protected fairy shrimp species. They also showed vegetation mapping and iNaturalist records documenting high public engagement in citizen science.

Public response: the meeting drew extensive public comment and a sustained debate over competing park uses. Volunteer restoration groups and the Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) urged adoption of the master plan and emphasized the clubs' role in stewardship, education and community outreach; OCME said it gives tens of thousands of free train rides annually and helps remove trash and vandalism. Dozens of speakers, young and old, described family and educational programs tied to the railroad and called it a longtime community asset.

At the same time, members of Fairview Park Alliance, Fairview Park steering committee representatives and other restoration advocates raised concerns about the Harbor Soaring Society (HSS) glider field, arguing that past grading and maintenance associated with the field has damaged vernal‑pool hydrology and native plant communities. Speakers said some restoration areas were uprooted or disturbed and urged the council to prioritize protection of imperiled species and archaeological resources. The Alliance presented photos and field observations and asked that the council and consultants evaluate compatibility of uses.

Council questions and staff responses: Council members asked for more detail on methodology, timing and the regulatory consequences of plan alternatives. Staff and consultants said Part 2 (planned for Feb. 11) will present technical findings, draft recommendations and be followed by a 30‑day public review of the draft plan and environmental review (initial study/negative declaration planned), with a target for adoption in spring (staff cited a target of early May pending document availability and schedules). Staff noted the city received a $4,500,000 grant in 2022 from the office identified in the presentation as \"Senator Mint's office\" to support restoration projects at the park and that the city has previously entered mitigation agreements (2011 agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority for mitigation of 23 acres was cited).

Special use agreements and next steps: Gruner reminded council the Harbor Soaring Society's special‑use agreement had been extended in July 2024 for six months to Jan. 31, 2025; staff told council the city manager currently has authority to extend the agreement to allow operations to continue while the master plan is completed. Council members and several public speakers asked staff and consultants to evaluate options for co‑location or relocation of uses and to return with specific photos, mapping methodology for vernal pools, and clearer descriptions of management actions and costs related to removal of legacy fill that consultants said has altered the mesa's soil profile.

Tribal and cultural resources: consultants and staff said they have met with a tribal advisory group multiple times during the update and described the site as a village use area with highly sensitive archeological and paleontological materials. Consultants cautioned that portions of the site are confidential for protection of cultural resources; they committed to bringing forward tribal recommendations to council where possible.

Tensions and the task ahead: Councilmembers repeatedly asked for more data and for options that balance restoration, educational programming and long‑standing community uses. Some council members urged patience and a collaborative approach; others asked staff to return with clear criteria the council can use to weigh competing uses. The consultants said the technical report runs several hundred pages and will be posted for the public to review prior to Part 2.

Why this matters: Fairview Park contains biological and cultural resources rare in Orange County. The master plan update is the city's first comprehensive rewrite in years and will guide restoration, public use, grant applications and permitting for decades. Councilmembers and the public signaled strong commitment to both protecting sensitive resources and preserving community programming; the next sessions will test whether those goals can be reconciled through design, operational limits and relocation options.

Speakers (selected, attribution whitelist)

- Brian Gruner — Parks and Community Services Director (government). First referenced: 00:04:10.
- Jenny Zell — Project Manager, MIG (consultant). First referenced: 00:48:00.
- Travis Brooks — Restoration Ecologist, Land IQ (consultant). First referenced: 00:57:44.
- Rob Hamilton — Biologist, Hamilton Biological (consultant). First referenced: 01:06:33.
- Josh Gessman — President, Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) (organization). First referenced: 01:22:14.
- Matt Garcia — President, Harbor Soaring Society (HSS) (organization). First referenced: 01:58:39.
- Kim Hendricks — President, Fairview Park Alliance (nonprofit). First referenced: 01:35:00.
- Cole Kreiselius — Vice Chair, Fairview Park Steering Committee (citizen/committee). First referenced: 02:05:43.

Authorities and programmatic items cited by staff or consultants

- Park acreage and acquisition: City purchased 208 acres of Fairview Park in 1986 for $1,900,000 (referenced_by:[\"fairview-park-masterplan-pt1-2025-01-28\"]).
- First Fairview Park master plan adopted 1998; revisions in 2002 and 2008; master plan update authorized 2019 and funded in CIP (referenced_by:[\"fairview-park-masterplan-pt1-2025-01-28\"]).
- 2011 agreement with Orange County Transportation Authority for mitigation of 23 acres (referenced_by:[\"fairview-park-masterplan-pt1-2025-01-28\"]).
- Measure A (presented in staff slides as adopted 2016 to keep Fairview Park as natural and open space) (referenced_by:[\"fairview-park-masterplan-pt1-2025-01-28\"]).
- Special Use Agreement: Harbor Soaring Society agreement extended July 2024 for six months to 01/31/2025; city manager has authority to extend for plan completion (referenced_by:[\"fairview-park-masterplan-pt1-2025-01-28\"]).
- Grant: $4,500,000 in 2022 from the office labeled in the presentation as \"Senator Mint's office\" for restoration, Mesa restoration and wetlands (referenced_by:[\"fairview-park-masterplan-pt1-2025-01-28\"]).

Clarifying details and quantitative items cited in the presentation and public comments

- Park size: 208 acres (city acquisition figure). (source: staff presentation)
- History: First master plan 1998, revisions 2002 and 2008; master plan update authorized 2019. (source: staff presentation)
- Grant funding: $4,500,000 awarded in 2022 (source: staff presentation).
- Vernal pools: Consultants described the vernal pool complex and said the largest vernal pool is historically significant and supports at least two federally listed fairy shrimp species; consultants described vernal pools as ephemeral (wet in winter, dry in summer) and hydrologically dependent on watershed grading. (source: consultants)
- OCME service: OCME speakers said club gives thousands of rides per year (OCME President cited \"more than 40,000 yearly visitors to the railroad\" and other speakers cited hundreds of thousands of rides historically; exact counts vary by speaker). (source: OCME public comment)
- Special‑use timing: HSS agreement extension expires 01/31/2025; staff said the city manager may extend to allow operation while master plan proceeds. (source: staff)

Community relevance

- Geographies: Fairview Park, Talbert Regional Park, Randall Preserve, Santa Ana River Trail, Newport Bay corridor.
- Funding sources: CIP allocation, 2022 state/federal grant funds (labeled \"Senator Mint's office\" in presentation); potential future state and federal grants for restoration.
- Impact groups: Nearby residents and park users, volunteer restoration groups, Harbor Soaring Society members, Orange County Model Engineers members, tribal communities and cultural resource stewards.

Meeting context

- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":70+ (including many youth and community groups),\"duration_minutes\":~170 (meeting included both agenda items),\"items_count\":1 for master plan discussion}
- implementation_risk\":\"high\" (restoration actions that involve removing legacy fill and changing hydrology carry permitting, technical and cost risk)
- history:[{\"date\":\"1986\",\"note\":\"City purchased Fairview Park (208 acres).\"},{\"date\":\"1998\",\"note\":\"First Fairview Park master plan adopted.\"},{\"date\":\"2011\",\"note\":\"Agreement with OCTA for mitigation (23 acres).\"},{\"date\":\"2016\",\"note\":\"Measure A cited in staff slide as adopted to keep park as natural open space.\"}]

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engagement_forecast:{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.05,\"regional\":0.45,\"local\":0.95,\"justification\":\"Regional interest because of rare habitat and state/federal grant funding; strong local interest among multiple stakeholder communities.\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"city\",\"reason\":\"Large local stakeholder audience with ongoing meetings and a rapid Part 2 schedule; advise distribution to environmental groups, tribal advisors, OCME and HSS.\" ,\"audience_regions\":[\"US-CA-OC-COSTA-MESA\"],\"justification\":\"High local and regional conservation significance.\"},\"notify_thresholds\":{\"local_min\":0.6,\"regional_min\":0.7,\"national_min\":0.95},\"predicted_interest\":{\"national\":0.05,\"regional\":0.45,\"local\":0.95,\"justification\":\"Local residents, environmental NGOs and recreation groups will follow closely.\"},\"predicted_click_through\":0.45,\"predicted_click_through_justification\":\"Detailed, technical master plan will attract longer reads; public interested in implementation timeline and decisions.\" ,\"predicted_read_time_minutes\":7.0},

graph_signals:{\"jurisdictions\":[\"US-CA-OC-COSTA-MESA\"],\"jurisdictions_justification\":\"City of Costa Mesa project\",\"ontology_topics\":[\"parks\",\"habitat-restoration\",\"cultural-resources\"],\"ontology_topics_justification\":\"Master plan content\",\"entities\":[{\"id\":\"fairview-park\",\"name\":\"Fairview Park\",\"type\":\"location\"},{\"id\":\"harbor-soaring-society\",\"name\":\"Harbor Soaring Society\",\"type\":\"organization\"},{\"id\":\"ocme\",\"name\":\"Orange County Model Engineers\",\"type\":\"organization\"}],\"entities_justification\":\"Primary stakeholders\"}}],","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Costa Mesa Special City Council Meeting January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and consultants presented a high‑level overview of the Fairview Park Master Plan update, describing rare vernal pools, protected species and community engagement; they set a Part 2 study session for Feb. 11 with a 30‑day public review to follow.","taxTitle","Costa Mesa, Orange County, California","taxId",3682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6327810,"Costa Mesa council receives, does not adopt proposal to temporarily lift short‑term rental ban for LA fire victims",2391,137000,2528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322030-f0ace993db6d9cb5296b0e87e8332cab&start=137&end=2528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322030-f0ace993db6d9cb5296b0e87e8332cab/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6327810/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Costa-Mesa-council-receives-does-not-adopt-proposal-to-temporarily-lift-shortterm-rental-ban-for-LA-fire-victims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327810-5154c9ea00724f936e931968a551070c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173472&Signature=WxvEyExxPBK2rzEie80nkpXtHGFav2xgp4fdv2Q3JWIhHeXAs3PQFH3zUjxDXrNmD-COTlCO2wqUM3t6t29YOodbfyf-w1KbWr1HEad5sAQStdDxle3NE45x3RW9V4BHgib80RYvtwwrM25oCIqpIKz8E6G16yFx1kU24DahY8B0Do9k-kCaEzm3qIonx4YjgRMXtLq20KBP8lgjoyG6~vVNikqhTyB8ZgElF2riYDMLkEFgK2dUq2M79jIR8yyyMu9rN6e8~fvNVE2lfQimGk6RJ8k2-yn47Rm3pKtOj~LkswtidrJ0BcxMqmxRW9Bq2l1RxO1hxuE8dA0UHwhLTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa City Council on Jan. 28 received and filed a proposal to temporarily lift the city's 2021 ban on non‑hosted short‑term rentals to provide housing options for residents displaced by recent Los Angeles County wildfires.

The proposal, introduced by Mayor Stevens and discussed at length with City Attorney Hall Barlow, would have opened a limited, temporary pathway for non‑hosted short‑term rentals for people displaced by the Palisades/Altadena fires. Instead the council voted to \"receive and file\" the item, effectively declining to enact a temporary lifting of the prohibition; the motion carried 5–2, with Mayor Stevens and Council Member Pettis recorded as voting no.

City Attorney Hall Barlow reminded the council of the local history: a moratorium on new short‑term rentals was approved Nov. 10, 2020 and later extended; the standing ordinance enacted in 2021 currently prohibits all non‑hosted short‑term rentals in Costa Mesa except grandfathered, existing owner‑occupied home‑sharing uses. Barlow also noted legal and administrative constraints the city would face in crafting an emergency temporary exception.

The discussion shifted from humanitarian intent to practical concerns. Mayor Stevens said the idea was intended \"to provide additional options for those affected by the firestorms,\" and suggested a short time frame to limit unintended impacts. Council Member Bealey (spoke in the record as Bealey/Bewley) and several public speakers pushed back, saying displaced households are likely to need long‑term housing rather than a succession of short stays and warning that lifting the ban could reduce long‑term rental stock and reignite problems the prohibition was meant to address.

Several council members and staff outlined possible constraints and implementation mechanics. Barlow said the resolution could be written with a fixed time window and geographic limits (ZIP‑code restrictions were discussed as feasible to insert in an implementing motion), but that enforcement would remain largely complaint driven under the city's current code enforcement model. Mayor Stevens suggested a 90‑day or six‑month window; other council members and members of the public recommended a 90‑day limit and ZIP‑code restrictions limited to the neighborhoods directly affected by the fires.

Members of the public urged different responses. Residents who had pushed for the original local short‑term rental prohibitions described recurring nuisance parties and neighborhood disruption, arguing that reopening the market would worsen local housing availability and quality of life. Speakers representing housing advocacy and tenant groups, including Becca Ayala of Better Neighbors LA, warned that short‑term rental conversions reduce long‑term housing supply and urged strict limits if the council were to proceed.

Travel Costa Mesa staff (Paulette, referenced during the meeting) reported limited hotel availability, estimating hotel occupancy usually runs about 70–80% and noting limited group business bookings reduced short‑term hotel availability immediately after the fires. Staff said there had been no confirmed requests from fire victims to the city for short‑term lodging supply at the time of the meeting.

Formal action and next steps: Council Member Reynolds moved to \"receive and file\" the item; the substitute motion was seconded and carried 5–2. The record lists the final tally as 5 yes, 2 no, with Mayor Stevens and Council Member Pettis voting no. The council did not adopt any temporary exemption language; staff were not directed to implement a new permitting or verification program as part of this hearing.

Why this matters: The vote preserves the city's existing, citywide short‑term rental prohibition while the council and staff continue to weigh humanitarian responses and supply options for displaced households. The exchange exposed tradeoffs between immediate shelter options, longer‑term housing supply and enforceability under Costa Mesa's complaint‑driven code system.

What council and staff emphasized: Any future request to lift the prohibition temporarily could be written with specific geographic and temporal limits, and platforms or hosts could be asked to provide verification documents at the city's request. Staff cautioned, however, that without a proactive inspection or verification mechanism the city likely would rely on complaints to detect violations. The council heard repeated calls to prioritize long‑term housing solutions and to coordinate with hotels and local community groups that had been offering limited support to displaced households.

Community reaction and context: Public commenters were split. Several long‑time Costa Mesa residents urged the council to keep the ban in place to protect neighborhoods and preserve long‑term rental stock. Others emphasized compassion for wildfire victims but said the critical need is long‑term housing. The meeting record shows council members and advocates asking staff for a range of drafting options the council could consider later: fixed time windows (90 days or six months were floated), ZIP‑code limits tied to affected neighborhoods, and verification procedures for hosted platforms, with the caveat that verification and enforcement would incur staff time and practical limits under the current code enforcement model.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: \"Receive and file\" the item regarding temporary suspension of the short‑term rental prohibition.
- Outcome: Motion carried (receive and file). Tally: 5 yes, 2 no. Named no votes: Mayor Stevens, Council Member Pettis.

Speakers (selected, attribution whitelist)

- Hall Barlow — City Attorney (government). First referenced: 00:02:30.
- Mayor Stevens — Mayor (government). First referenced: 00:06:35.
- Council Member Bealey — Council member (government). First referenced: 00:08:14.
- Council Member Marr — Council member (government). First referenced: 00:09:48.
- Council Member Chavez — Council member (government). First referenced: 00:10:50.
- Council Member Reynolds — Council member (government). First referenced: 00:12:48.
- Council Member Pettis — Council member (government). First referenced: 00:15:04.
- Council Member Maher — Council member (government). First referenced: 00:22:20.
- Becca Ayala — Policy & Advocacy Director, Better Neighbors LA (nonprofit). First referenced: 00:29:10.
- Flo Martin — Resident (citizen). First referenced: 00:17:49.
- Perry — Resident (citizen). First referenced: 00:20:52.
- Daniel — Worker in Costa Mesa (citizen). First referenced: 00:22:52.
- Matthew — Resident (citizen). First referenced: 00:25:28.
- Glenn Frank — Resident (citizen). First referenced: 00:27:19.
- Cynthia McDonald — Resident (citizen). First referenced: 00:30:43.

Authorities (documents referenced in meeting)

- moratorium approved 11/10/2020 (referenced_by:[\"str-suspension-fire-relief-2025-01-28\"]).
- ordinance enacted in 2021 prohibiting non‑hosted short‑term rentals (referenced_by:[\"str-suspension-fire-relief-2025-01-28\"]).
- urgency ordinance \"20 20 one‑seventeen\" (referenced_by:[\"str-suspension-fire-relief-2025-01-28\"]).
- state price‑gouging laws (referenced generically in discussion; not cited to a specific statute) (referenced_by:[\"str-suspension-fire-relief-2025-01-28\"]).

Clarifying details

- City code: Short‑term rentals are defined as stays under 30 days; rentals of 30 days or more are treated as long‑term rentals and are not subject to the STR prohibition as written. (source: staff explanation in meeting)
- Time windows discussed: 90 days (favored by several speakers) and six months (proposed by Mayor Stevens) as candidate durations for any temporary exemption. (source: council exchanges)
- Geographic limits: Council and staff said ZIP‑code limits tied to the affected LA neighborhoods could be inserted if the council chose to do so. (source: staff response)
- Verification/enforcement: Staff said any program would likely be complaint‑driven absent a new proactive permitting or inspection process; platforms could be asked to verify guest eligibility and to provide documentation to the city on request but staff said no turnkey verification mechanism exists today. (source: staff explanation)
- Hotel supply: Travel Costa Mesa staff said hotel occupancy typically runs about 70–80% and that hotels had very limited availability immediately after the fires. No formal city‑level request from fire victims for housing was reported. (source: staff comment)

Community relevance

- Geographies: Costa Mesa; referenced affected areas in Los Angeles County (Palisades, Altadena).
- Impact groups: Residents displaced by the LA fires, Costa Mesa neighborhoods adjacent to rentals, hotels and lodging sector, short‑term rental hosts and platforms.
- Funding sources: Not applicable to this item; enforcement and any verification program would require staff time and possibly additional administrative resources.

Meeting context

- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":23,\"duration_minutes\":40,\"items_count\":1}
- implementation_risk: \"medium\" (new exception would require drafting, potential enforcement changes and risk of unintended conversions to short‑term use)
- history: [{\"date\":\"2020-11-10\",\"note\":\"Initial moratorium approved\"},{\"date\":\"2021\",\"note\":\"Ordinance enacted prohibiting non‑hosted short‑term rentals\"}]

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","After public comment sharply split between neighbors and disaster advocates, the City Council declined a mayoral motion to temporarily lift Costa Mesa's short‑term rental prohibition and instead 'received and filed' the proposal. The council voted 5–2; Mayor Stevens and Council Member Pettis voted no.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears Fairview Park master‑plan overview; consultants, tribal group and public flag restoration, habitat and use conflicts

Costa Mesa council receives, does not adopt proposal to temporarily lift short‑term rental ban for LA fire victims