Costa Mesa council advances Fairview Park master plan, directs CEQA review and moves model‑glider field to east side

A divided Costa Mesa City Council voted Dec. 2 to move forward with an updated draft of the Fairview Park master plan and to study implementation under the California Environmental Quality Act, including a recommendation to relocate the park’s model‑glider field to the park’s east side.

Why it matters: The plan frames long‑running disputes about public access, environmental protection and tribal cultural resources at the 300‑acre park. Council members said the CEQA study will show what mitigation—boardwalks, raised walkways, revegetation or restrictions—would be required to protect sensitive vernal pools and archaeological areas while retaining recreational access.

Council deliberations stretched through hours of testimony from residents, tribal advisers and user groups. Mayor Stevens stressed his preference to preserve the 2008 master plan’s spirit, saying, “I do not want to replace the 2008 master plan.” Others, including Councilmember Arliss Reynolds, urged the council to balance access and protection and to formalize ongoing consultation: “We do want to maintain as much public access as possible,” Reynolds said while pressing for specific trail and mitigation language.

Staff and consultants told the council the plan treats Fairview Park as a unified tribal cultural landscape and that earlier tribal consultation and archaeological studies flagged the park as highly sensitive. Planning and parks staff said the draft plan is programmatic—CEQA will determine site‑by‑site mitigation and whether elevated boardwalks or other measures are required.

After substitute motions and amendments, the council voted 4–3 to advance the draft with the following changes: modify the trail map to align with the city’s Active Transportation Plan, add a recommended 10‑mph guideline for bike trails, and adopt the staff recommendation to relocate the fly field to the east side pending CEQA mitigation findings. Councilmembers Pettis and Beaulieu voted no; the motion passed 4–3.

Council also approved a separate motion (6–1) directing staff to re‑engage the tribal advisory group and return with a proposal for ongoing tribal government relations, interpretive signage and site‑use recommendations.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with CEQA documentation and tribal consultation. Any ground‑disturbing construction or CIP funding decisions will return to council for separate approvals, according to staff. The council’s actions set the scope for environmental review and future funding requests.

The council’s action followed extensive public comment, including competing claims about which uses should remain in the park and how to protect cultural and biological resources.

The hearing is expected to continue through the CEQA process; the council did not adopt a final master plan tonight.