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Planning commission finds FY26-27 and five-year CIP in general-plan conformance; $34M program advances to council
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Summary
The commission voted 6-0 to find the citys proposed FY26-27 one-year and five-year (FY26-27 to FY30-31) Capital Improvement Program in conformance with the general plan; staff highlighted roughly $34 million in projects, $12 million set aside for future bond financing and grant-funded active-transportation projects.
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission on April 27 voted unanimously to find the citys proposed one-year FY26-27 and five-year FY26-27 through FY30-31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in conformance with the general plan and to forward the resolution to city council. The motion carried 6-0.
City engineer Sung Yang presented the CIP, describing 41 proposed projects and a one-year budget of roughly $34 million, with $12 million identified for potential future bond financing. Funding sources include bond financing, federal and state grants, gas tax revenues, traffic impact fees and park development fees. Yang highlighted several near-term projects: the ongoing citywide alley improvement program; police department chiller replacement and emergency communications center renovation; the Adams Avenue multipurpose trail (federally grant-funded); Mesa Del Mar multimodal safety improvements (grant-funded design in 2026); and a Harper Park redesign.
Commissioners asked how sustainability projects would be integrated. Commissioner Martinez noted a long-standing interest in energy and sustainability projects being represented in the CIP; Yang said many sustainability measures (LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC) are incorporated into facility projects, and staff expects more clarity after the citys climate action plan open house April 30. Commissioner Andrade asked about green-highlighted items added to the draft and urged moving Westside Park development earlier in the schedule; Yang said timing depends on funding sources, council direction and grant deadlines.
Staff recommended finding the CIP categorically exempt under CEQA (staff cited CEQA Guideline 15378) because the CIP is a fiscal planning and budgeting activity that does not commit the city to implement any specific design. The commissions approval advances the CIP to the next steps in the citys budget calendar, with council action expected in June.
