Costa Mesa : New Zoning Paves Way for 550 New Apartments

Final approval has been given zoning changes and General Plan amendments that could lead to construction of 550 apartments on the grounds of Fairview State Hospital.

In a 4-1 vote last week, the City Council endorsed land-use changes that re-zone the hospital grounds from public and institutional to planned development residential high-density. Previously, 144 apartments were slated for construction on the hospital grounds, but the zoning changes approved this week pave the way for building an additional 406 units, for a total of 550 apartments.

The apartments would be inhabited primarily by hospital employees, who would pay $500 to $600 a month rent. They are intended to help the institution attract workers who might otherwise be unable to afford to live in Orange County.

Councilman Dave Wheeler, who voted against the zoning changes when they came before the council for a first reading last month, again cast the lone opposing ballot last week. Wheeler has been opposed to the zoning changes, which he said allow for unacceptably high density.

Millie Summerlin, an associate planner for the city, said the builder, Costa Mesa-based Fairview Housing Co., will still have to submit site plans, as well as floor plans for the apartments, to both the Planning Commission and City Council before construction could begin.