1 CalOptima Health, A Public Agency
City of Costa Mesa
October 17, 2023
Katrina Foley, 5th District Supervisor, Orange County
Yunkyung Kim, Chief Operating Officer, CalOptima Health An Tran, Director, County of Orange Social Services Agency Overview on
Medi-Cal Renewal
2 CalOptima Health Mission
“To serve member health
with excellence and dignity,
respecting the value and needs of
each person.”
3 ○ $4 billion budget with 90% State tax revenues and 10% Federal funds ○ Organized health care through a network of contracts with providers ○ Separate public agency bylaws and a fiduciary Board of Directors CalOptima Health Medi-Cal Insurance
4 CalOptima Health Medi-Cal Insurance (cont.)
Orange County Population:
~3.1 Million Residents
CalOptima Health Insures:
~980,000 Members
City of Costa Mesa Population:
~112,000 Residents
CalOptima Health Insures:
~30,100 City of Costa Mesa Residents
(27% of all residents)
5 ○ Street Medicine
Launched in Garden Grove 4/1/23
Designed to expand in the future
○ CalAIM Benefits
(California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal)
New Initiatives
Community Supports
1. Housing Transition Navigation
2. Housing Deposits
3. Housing Tenancy & Sustaining Services
4. Recuperative Care (Medical Respite)
5. Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Care
6. Day Habilitation Programs
7. Medically Tailored Meals
8. Sobering Center
9. Personal Care/Homemaker
10. Respite Program
11. Home Modifications
12. Asthma Remediation
13. Nursing Facility Transition
14. Community Transition Services
6 ○ This month, CalOptima Health
approved the distribution of $52.3
million in grant funds as part of
homeless health effort
$8 million to C&C Development for the
Mesa Vista project
○ Mesa Vista will offer affordable
housing with on-site supportive
services tailored to veterans, people
with serious mental illness and seniors
○ The planned renovation will remodel
the current motel rooms into 87 units
$8 Million Grant for Costa Mesa Project
7 ○ Report any changes:
Name
Mailing address
Email address
Phone number
○ Contact the County of Orange Social
Services Agency (SSA):
Online: BenefitsCal.com
Phone: 1-800-281-9799
In person: SSA Regional Offices
Medi-Cal Renewal
Step 1: Update Your Contact Info
8 ○ Use new online system:
BenefitsCal.com
○ Create your account
○ Check your renewal month
○ Make updates
Medi-Cal Renewal
Step 2: Create or Check Your Online Account
9 ○ You will get one of two letters in the mail:
Automatic renewal letter (regular envelope)
Renewal form (yellow envelope)
Medi-Cal Renewal
Step 3: Check Your Mail
10 ○ Respond in the way best for you:
Online
By phone
In person
By mail
○ Act as soon as possible:
Due date on the renewal form
No later than 60 days
Medi-Cal Renewal
Step 4: Complete Your Renewal Form
11 ○ CalOptima Health Customer Service:
Phone: 1-888-587-8088
○ County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA):
Phone: 1-800-281-9799
Online: BenefitsCal.com
○ To learn about community events
Follow social media @caloptima: Instagram/Facebook/X
Medi-Cal Renewal Member Resources
12 ○ Join the campaign to help your residents renew their Medi- Cal
○ Adopt the renewal proclamation
○ Distribute Medi-Cal renewal information in city publications and channels
www.caloptima.org/renew (community partner toolkit)
○ Co-host Medi-Cal Renewal and CalFresh Enrollment events with CalOptima Health and the County of Orange Social
Services Agency (SSA)
Partnership With City of Costa Mesa
13 CalOptima Health, A Public Agency
THANK YOU & QUESTIONS
Fairview Park in 2003
Graded vernal pool watershed in 2005
Grading expanded 2009 & A 2ND CEMENT WINCH
added w/out following legal process
San Diego Button Celery
A launch/land site not to exceed
one foot in width and 600 foot
string (FPMP p.33)
The launch/land site is 92,990.05
Sq. Ft. which far exceeds what the
FPMP says
Western
Kingbird
waiting
City Council Meeting
October 17, 2023
Appeal Hearing
Planning Application 22-05
1505 Mesa Verde Drive East
2 Planning Application 22-05
• Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
• Retail cannabis storefront with delivery
• Proposed business name is “C21+”
3 Retail
Cannabis
Storefront
CUP Status
4 Cannabis Storefront Application Process
Pre-
Application &
Waitlist
Cannabis
Business
Permit
Application
Conditional
Use Permit
Building
Permits
&
Inspections
Cannabis
Business
Permit &
Business
License
Issued
Location
Verification
Site Visit
Pre-application
Determination
Letter Issued
Business Plan
Security Plan
Background
Checks
Notice to
Proceed to
submit a CUP
application
Evaluate
site/use
Staff Report/
Conditions
Public Notice
Planning
Commission
Plan Check
Conditions of
Approval
Compliance
Final
Inspections
Defense &
Indemnity
Insurance
Meeting with
Finance Dept.
2 Year Renewal
5 Project Location and Zoning District
6 Existing Conditions
7 Conceptual Site Plan
MESA VERDE DRIVE EAST
8 Proposed Exterior
9 Proposed Floor Plan
CUSTOMER AND
EMPLOYEE ACCESS
RETAIL SALES“BACK OF
HOUSE”
ACCESS
CONTROLLED DOOR
10 Conditions of Approval (COA)
• More than 45 standard conditions of approval
related to cannabis storefronts
• Cannabis consumption prohibited onsite
• Onsite security guard 24/7
• Odor control
• Age restrictions
• State license & compliance with all applicable State
regulations
• CBP renewal
• Changes in ownership/operation subject to City
review and approval
• Recordkeeping and remitting taxes to City
11 Project Specific COAs
• Prior to issuance of Cannabis Business
Permit, COA No. 7: Parking lot signs installed
related to using consideration of neighbors
• Operational COA No. 2: Hours limited to 9 AM to
9 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to 10
PM Friday through Sunday
• Operational COA No. 23: Trash enclosure use
limited to the hours between 8 AM and 8 PM
12 Required CUP Findings
• The proposed development or use is substantially compatible with developments in the same general area and would not be materially detrimental to other properties within the area; • Granting the conditional use permit will not be materially detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the public or otherwise injurious to property or improvements within the immediate neighborhood; and
• Granting the conditional use permit will not allow a use, density or intensity which is not in accordance with the General Plan designation and any applicable specific plan for the property. 13 Planning Commission and Appeal
• Planning Commission approved the application at the
August 14, 2023 meeting.
• Adjacent property owner/property manager filed an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision.
• “Detrimental to the 45 mostly small family businesses at Mesa Verde Plaza”;
• “Detrimental to attracting future desirable tenants to Mesa Verde Plaza”;
• “Detrimental to parking at Mesa Verde Plaza”;
• “Detrimental to security in Mesa Verde Plaza and surrounding neighborhood; and
• “Detrimental to sustainable community development”
14 Staff Recommendation
• The City Council hearing is a “de novo” hearing
• Staff recommends that the City Council either:
1) Uphold the Planning Commission’s decision and adopt a Resolution to approve Planning Application 22-05 subject to conditions of approval; or
2) Overturn the Planning Commission’s decision, deny Planning Application 22-05, and direct staff to prepare a Resolution reflecting the City Council’s findings for denial.
City Council Meeting
October 17, 2023
Appeal Hearing
Planning Application 22-05
1505 Mesa Verde Drive East
Appeal of PA-22-05 by Mark Les
Property owner of Mesa Verde Plaza & 60 year resident of Mesa Verde. Measure Q was passed by voters and a Code is in place. Stores can open anywhere that satisfies the Code.
This specific location does not satisfy the code or requirements of a CUP . The Planning application omitted disqualifying information.
Playground means and includes both a public playground located in a city park and a private playground. A private playground shall mean a privately-owned outdoor recreation area, including a tot lot, containing playground equipment or amenities such as swings, slides, sandboxes, or similar installations designed for use by minors and serving either the general public or residents of a development where the playground equipment is located, including residential subdivisions and/or developments such as apartments, townhomes and/or condominium complexes, mobile home parks or other similar residential uses, as well as playground equipment serving registered guests at hotels and motels. A private playground does not include a playground or playground equipment installed at a single-family residence, or play equipment that is part of a privately-owned commercial business or place of worship, or a playground that is access-controlled during operating hours or does not have direct access from the public right-of- way. A private playground does not include areas designated for use as a playing field or court, pool, or skate facility.
1 2
4 5
6 7
Costa Mesa Municipal Code Title 9 Chapter 6 § 9-485
“Playground” Definition
3 "No cannabis retail storefront use shall be located: Within one thousand (1,000) feet from a … playground..." (CMMC, Title 13, Ch. 9, Art., 21 § 13-200.93(e)(1) Within 1,000 Feet (608 Feet)
Privately owned recreation area
Contains playground equipment
Serves residents of a development
Includes residential subdivision
The Aura residential playground meets ALL tests in the code Not a Single Family Residence, place
of worship or business
Not Access Controlled
Direct Access from a public right of
way (Merrimac way)
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 Outdated zone map in application
Playground area listed as C-1 Commercial
Highlighted box was rezoned to residential (R2-MD) in 2016 Code does not allow youth
centers within 600 feet
Youth center means any public or private facility that is primarily used to host recreation or social activities for minors, specifically private youth membership organizations or clubs, social services teenage club facilities, video arcades where ten (10) or more games or game machines or devices are operated or similar amusement park facilities, but does not include dance studios, tutoring, martial arts studios or similar type of uses.
Legacy Escape Rooms
Hosts social activities and parties for minors
ArtSteps
Hosts recreational art activities for minors
Musika
Hosts recreational music activities for minors
Home school enrichment activities
Provides social activities for minors
John Ortega golf instruction
Recreation & instruction for kids
Marine boot camp prep
High school recruits do regular preparation and bonding for boot camp
Chiropractor for kids and expectant moms
OC Tae Kwon Do
95% Kids
Code says no cannabis near K-12,
playgrounds or youth centers.
Why?
Because groups of children next door to cannabis is non-compatible & detrimental.
Therefore just like code, next door cannabis is not compatible & detrimental to these youth businesses too.
Negative parking impact
My lot is closer, safer& easier to park
MVP C21+
Cannabis negative impacts neighbors
Art Steps If C21+ is located next door, will move out of CM.
Business Complaint
Lollipop Pediatric
Dentistry Current neighbor of Stiizy will not renew their lease Harbor Compound
Pharmacy Moving out of Costa Mesa because of nearby cannabis 2750 Harbor Blvd
Ownership Large increase in loitering and nuisances from Stiizy Marquee Plaza
(1500 Adams) 7 “No Off the Charts” parking signs due to spillover Detrimental leasing impacts
OC Dept Education had a school at my center for 16 years. Cannabis application was filed and they gave notice shortly after. Now because California Health Code does not allow cannabis store within 600 feet of a school I can never lease to a school again. That is extremely detrimental
Deny PA 22-05
Planning staff did not have the entire story when they approved Playground & Youth centers too close and against code Incompatible & detrimental to eight Youth centers and businesses next door Detrimental parking & loitering spill over like other properties reporting Detrimental to future leasing for Mesa Verde Plaza
Appendix
10 plus signs next to Off The Charts
My lot more accessible to their front door
This property so close often confused as part
of Mesa Verde Plaza
Applicant is in fact a cannabis Superstore!
Walk & Bike traffic regularly cuts through to
7/11
• Cannabis traffic will now wander through peering in to children businesses
APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS
CITY COMMITTEES
City Council Meeting
October 17, 2023
2 BACKGROUND
• At the City Council meeting on September 5, 2023 the City Council approved that each Council Member shall have the opportunity to either nominate a member or to defer his or her nomination to the City Council liaison.
• Because the committee members terms are staggered staff is recommending for this round of appointments, nominations to be made by Council Member Marr (District 3), Council Member Chavez (District 4), and Council Member Reynolds (District 5).
• For the next round of appointments in April 2024, nominations to be made by the Mayor and Council Members Gameros (District 2), Harper (District 1), Harlan (District 6).
3 Animal Services Committee
• Make three (3) member appointments with a term expiration of April 2025
1. Becca Walls - District 1 (Incumbent)
2. Kalvin Alvarez - District 2
3. Diana Lorraine Gardiner - District 5 (Incumbent)
4. Randall Hoppe - District 5
5. Diane Scioli - District 6
6. Randi Miller - Non-Resident
Council liaisons - Mayor Stephens, Council Member Harper 4 Active Transportation Committee
• Make three (3) member appointments with a term expiration of April 2025. Two of the appointments are at-large to ensure broad representation of different mobility options and experiences (e.g. walk, bike, bus, and age ability).
1. Syed Zia Hussain - District 2
2. Kevin Tobin - District 2
3. Michaela Teissere - District 2
4. Dean Fisher - District 2
5. Richard Huffman - District 2 (Incumbent)
6. Neill Conti - District 3
7. Trace Yulie - District 5 (Incumbent)
8. Randall Hoppe - District 5
9. Jose Gomez - District 5
10. Peter Dickey - District 6
11. Daniel Bremmer - District 6
12. Robert Morse - District 6 (Alternate Incumbent)
Council liaison –
Council Member Reynolds
5 Fairview Park Steering Committee
• Make three (3) member appointments with a term expiration of April 2027
1. Syed Zia Hussain - District 2
2. Daniel Baume - District 2 (Alternate Incumbent)
3. *Kohl Crecelius – District 3 (Incumbent)
4. Randall Hoppe - District 5
5. Deborah (Debby) Koken - District 5
6. Jennifer L. Thomas - District 5
7. Terri Fuqua - District 5 (Incumbent)
8. Mathew Martin Garcia - District 5 (Alternate Incumbent) *Application was submitted late
Council liaisons - Council Member Reynolds, Alternate Mayor Pro Tem Harlan and Council Member Chavez
6 Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
• Make three (3) member appointments with a term expiration of April 2027.
1. Ralph Taboada - District 1 (Incumbent)
2. Lydia Joy Chavez - District 3
3. Boris Gresely - District 5 (Incumbent)
4. Randall Hoppe - District 5
5. Wendy Leece - District 5 (Incumbent)
6. Tom Arnold - District 6 (Incumbent)
7. Lisa L. Buchanan - District 6 (Incumbent)
Council liaisons - Mayor Stephens, Alternate Council Member Marr, and Council Member Harper
7 • Make three (3) regular member appointments with a term expiration of April 2025.
1. Syed Zia Hussain - District 2
2. Madison Elizabeth Gibson - District 2
3. Kalvin Alvarez - District 2
4. Daniel J Baume - District 2
5. Becks Heyhoe - District 3
6. Andrea Schmidt - District 4
7. Jose Gomez - District 5
8. Randall Hoppe - District 5
9. Dianne Louise Russell - District 5
10. Aaron McCall Craddolph - District 5 (Incumbent)
11. Kevin Kott - District 6
12. Michael John Gancar - District 6
13. Marsha A. Wood - District 6
Housing and Public Service Grants Committee
Council liaisons - Council Member Chavez, Alternate Council Member Harper 8 Mobile Home Park Advisory Committee
• Make two (2) Park Owner or Representative appointments, two (2) Mobile Home Park Resident appointments, and one (1) Independent Citizen At-large appointment, all with a term expiration of April 2027.
1. Eileen Cirillo - District 1 (Park Owner or Representative - Incumbent)
2. Syed Zia Hussain - District 2 (At-Large)
3. Wyatt Lin - District 5 (Park Owner or Representative)
4. Colette McCall Craddolph - District 5 (Mobile Home Park Resident - Incumbent)
5. Joy Young - District 6 (Mobile Home Park Resident - Incumbent)
6. Maria Horton - Non-Resident (Park Owner or Representative - Incumbent) Council liaison - Council Member Reynolds
OCTOBER 17, 2023
PROPOSED TENANT
PROTECTION ORDINANCE
2 BACKGROUND –
TENANT PROTECTION ACT (AB-1482)
• October 8, 2019 – Assembly Bill 1482 (AB-1482) was signed into law, prohibiting owners of residential real property from evicting a tenant without just cause when said tenant has occupied the housing unit for at least 12 consecutive months. The Bill further defines two (2) types of just cause evictions:
At-Fault
A. Failure to pay rent
B. Breach of a material term of the lease
C. Allowing or causing a nuisance
D. Committing waste
E. Failure to extend lease upon expiration
F. Criminal activity
G. Subletting in violation of the lease
H. Failure to allow the owner to enter the property
I. Using the property for an unlawful purpose
J. An employee/agent fails to vacate upon being
terminated
K. Failure of tenant to surrender the property after
providing written notice of intent to surrender
No-Fault
A. Intent to occupy the property by the owner or
an immediate family member
B. Withdrawal of the property from the rental
market
C. Complying with an order from a government
agency, court, or ordinance
D. Intent to demolish
E. Intent to substantially rehabilitate the property,
which requires:
i. Replacement or substantial modification of
a major system that requires a permit
ii. Cannot be completed with tenant in place
iii. Tenant must vacate for more than 30 days
3 BACKGROUND –
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION ACT (SB-567)
• September 30, 2023 – Senate Bill 567 (SB-567) signed into law, amending AB- 1482 to place additional requirements on owners issuing no-fault just cause evictions and prescribing new enforcement mechanisms. Salient provisions include:
• Intent to demolish or substantially rehabilitate – The owner must provide written notice to the tenant including:
• Intent to demolish or substantially rehabilitate
• Description of the substantial rehabilitation to be completed • Approximate estimated duration of the substantial rehabilitation or the expected date the property is to be demolished
• A copy of the permit or permits required to undertake the substantial rehabilitation or demolition.
• Intent to occupy – The owner or authorized family member must move in within 90 days of the tenant vacating and must occupy the unit for a period of 12 consecutive months
• Enforcement - An owner who issues a notice of eviction in violation of AB-1482 and/or SB-567 is liable to the tenant in a civil action for damages of up to 3 times the actual damages, in addition to punitive damages.
4 BACKGROUND –
AB-1482 & SB-567
• Both AB-1482 and SB-567 require owners who issue a no-fault just cause eviction to provide written notice informing the tenant of their right to relocation assistance, which includes either of the following:
1. Waiver of the final month’s rent; or
2. Direct payment to the tenant equal to one month’s rent • Payments must be made within 15 days of issuing notice to vacate • Failure of an owner to comply with any of the provisions of AB-1482 or SB-567 renders void a notice to vacate.
5 PROPOSED TENANT PROTECTION ORDINANCE
• The proposed Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) is identical to the provisions of AB-1482 as amended by SB-567, with three exceptions:
1. Immediate Implementation – SB-567 goes into effect on April 1, 2024. In order to assist as many households as possible, the City’s Ordinance would go into effect 30 days after Council approval.
2. Notification to the City - In addition to the provision requiring owners to notify tenants of their intent to issue a no-fault just cause eviction, the Ordinance would require owners to notify the City within 72 hours after giving notice to their tenant.
3. Additional Relocation Assistance - The Ordinance would require owners to pay tenants being issued a no-fault just cause eviction relocation benefits equal to two (2) months of Fair Market Rent (FMR)* or waive the tenant’s rent for two (2) months and pay the difference if FMR is greater.
Zip Code Studio One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom
92626 $4,960 $5,280 $6,280 $8,500
92627 $4,240 $4,520 $5,360 $7,260
6 EXEMPTIONS TO AB-1482 & SB-567
• The following types of residential real properties or residential circumstances are exempt from the provisions of AB-1482 & SB-567:
1) Transient and tourist hotel occupancy
2) Housing accommodations in a nonprofit hospital, religious facility, extended care facility, licensed residential care facility for the elderly, or an adult residential facility
3) Dormitories owned and operated by an institution of higher education or a kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, school.
4) Housing accommodations in which the tenant shares bathroom or kitchen facilities with the owner who maintains their principal residence at the residential real property.
5) Single-family owner-occupied residences
6) An owner-occupied duplex
7 EXEMPTIONS TO AB-1482 & SB-567 (continued)
• The following types of residential real properties or residential circumstances are exempt from the provisions of AB-1482 & SB-567:
7) Housing that has been issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years, unless the housing is a mobile home.
8) Residential real property, including a mobile home, that is alienable separate from the title to any other dwelling unit, provided the owner is not:
1) A real estate investment trust, 2) A corporation, 3) A limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation, or 4) Management of a mobile home park; and
the tenant has been provided written notice
that the residential property is exempt.
9) Housing restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income or subject to an agreement that provides housing subsidies for affordable housing.
8 1. Introduce and give first reading, waiving further reading, to Ordinance No. 23-XX Amending Title 9
(Licenses and Business Regulations) of the Costa Mesa
Municipal Code by Adding Chapter II (Regulation of
Certain Businesses, Article 24 (Just Cause Residential
Tenant Protections) to support Costa Mesa renters
facing no-fault just cause eviction.
RECOMENDATION
QUESTIONS?
11 COSTA MESA COMMUNITY PROFILE
American Community Survey (2018)
• 41,019 Total Households
• 60% Renters (24,611)
• 55% of renters (13,536) identified “housing problems”:
• Physical defects (lacking a complete kitchen or bathroom) • Overcrowded conditions
• Housing cost burdened (housing costs exceed 30% of gross income)
• Severe housing cost burdened (housing costs exceed 50% of gross income)
OC Superior Court of California (2020-2022)
• Costa Mesa has 4th highest eviction rate in Orange County 12 SYSTEM OF CARE FOR RENTERS
• Since 2020, the City Council has allocated over $2 million for both short- term and long-term rental assistance. To date, providers have expended roughly $1.5M to assist 162 households
• The City annually partners with the Fair Housing Foundation (FHF) to provide landlord/tenant rights education, landlord/tenant mediation, and housing discrimination assistance.
• In July 2023, the City Council awarded $250,000 to Community Legal Aid So Cal to provide legal advice and in-court representation for housing- related cases, as well as assistance with identifying and securing public benefits.
• Since 2021, the City Council has awarded nearly $11 million to support the development of permanent affordable housing for very low- and extremely low-income individuals and families.
October 17, 2023
State’s Southern Region Emergency Operations
Center Project at the Fairview Developmental Center –
Draft Environmental Impact Report Comment Letter
2 State EOC Project – Proposed Location
The State has proposed
a Southern Region EOC
on 15 acres of the
Fairview Developmental
Center (FDC) Site
The remaining FDC
acreage (approximately
100 acres) would be
planned for a residential
community by the City as
a separate effort.
Public visioning meetings
for master planning the
remainder of the site will
begin this fall.
3 State EOC Project - Proposed Components
A. A single-story office building, up
to 35,000 square feet
B. 20,000-square-foot warehouse
C. Helicopter Pad* for medium-size
helicopters; limited to two
landings annually or as needed
during emergency response
operations
D. 120’ tall communications tower
Other: landscaping and fencing,
microgrid, parking lots, utilities, and
roadway improvements. 37 month
construction period.
Approx. 260
parking
spaces
* In a recent meeting, the State indicated verbally that the helipad will not be included in the final project.
However, the City has not received confirmation of this intent in writing, if accurate.
4 State’s Environmental Impact Report
• The proposed project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review process.
• This process is intended to inform the decision makers and the public about the potential environmental effects of the proposed project and to prevent significant, avoidable environmental damage.
• CEQA requires a public agency to review and consider the information provided in an environmental document before making a decision to approve or deny a project.
• Due to potential significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed project, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared. 5 State’s Process
• Cal OES is the lead agency responsible for the preparation of the EIR. • March 1, 2023: A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR and public scoping meeting was issued.
• March 13, 2023: The State conducted the Scoping Sessions to discuss the scope and content of the forthcoming EIR.
• April 17, 2023: The NOP public comment period closed. City submitted a comment letter requesting specific issues and concerns be addressed in the State’s EIR
6 Draft EIR released by the State
• The State’s Draft EIR was released on September 5, 2023 for a 45-day public review period that will end on October 20, 2023 at 6 p.m. • All comment should be sent directly to the State before the end of the public comment period: [email protected]
• The EIR is available online at: https://oesregionsoutheoc.org/library/ • City Council was briefed on the DEIR and its findings at the September 19, 2023 City Council meeting
7 September 28, 2023 State Public Meeting
• At the September 28, 2023 meeting, the State
discussed the environmental review process with
the public at the Fairview Developmental
Center’s Auditorium.
• There were approximately 85 attendees. The
majority of the public comments expressed
opposition to the project and concerns regarding
its impacts to the community.
• There were no representatives from Cal OES in
attendance that could respond to questions
regarding the need for the EOC and why FDC is
the most appropriate site.
8 The City’s draft comment letter/outline focuses on the following topics:
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter
• FDC is the wrong site for the EOC
• Prioritize housing at FDC
• Insufficient community engagement
• The Project’s Objectives are not
Costa Mesa specific
• Land Use/Planning- there are more
compatible alternatives
• The State did not analyze alternatives
requested by the City
• Aesthetics/Visual Impacts
• Noise Impacts
• Traffic and Transportation Impacts
(VMT Analysis)
• Hydrology and Water Quality Impacts
• Utilities and Service Systems Impacts
• Impacts to Public Services
• Impacts to Biological Resources
• Community Concerns
9 FDC is the wrong site for an EOC
Requests the State to reconsider other locations for the EOC – specifically, areas that support industrial uses. FDC is not the best site for a Regional EOC. As the FDC site is redeveloped with mixed-use and residential units, it will present a challenge for the EOC to mobilize during an emergency event without significant disruption to residents.
FDC is adjacent to existing State-operated supportive housing and is planned to accommodate a high proportion of affordable housing. The State should avoid siting this type of use near lower-income communities, as it presents a social equity issue. The City, in coordination with the State, has a rare and unique opportunity to provide equitable access to housing, active transportation, and public/recreational facilities at FDC.
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
10 Prioritize Housing First at FDC
FDC is a housing opportunity site identified in the General Plan Housing Element Conflicts with the City’s and State’s mutual goal of accommodating high quality housing for mixed income levels of approximately 2,300 units serving 8,000 residents. Reduces acreage available for residential units and reduces land value which will adversely affect the potential for market-rate housing to offset the cost of providing affordable housing at the site, thereby affecting the overall feasibility of the project. Reiterates continued collaboration between City and State to plan for future redevelopment of the site and the decisions regarding FDC’s onsite uses must prioritize housing first.
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
11 Insufficient Community Engagement
There has been woefully inadequate community engagement for the State’s project. The purpose of CEQA is to increase public understanding and participation in the environmental review process, identify ways to avoid reduce potential impacts through feasible mitigation measures or alternatives, and to inform decision-makers and the public of the proposed project’s potential environmental effects. The community should be provided multiple opportunities to engage the State throughout the planning process to fully understand the project objectives, components, and potential impacts from people who live and work near the site. To fully meet the intent of CEQA, the City requests that the State provide additional meaningful opportunities for public participation before decisions are made, to properly notice residents and to embrace a robust community engagement process.
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
12 Project Objectives are not Costa Mesa specific
EOC’s Project Objectives do not consider the State/City long-term goals for housing, open space and multimodal active transportation at the FDC site. EOC Project Objectives include “Site the EOC on a property that is removed from high- traffic public areas and can be completely enclosed by perimeter fencing for security and controlled access.” However, when FDC is redeveloped as a walkable residential village, the EOC will no longer be secluded and will present land use compatibility issues.
The City requests the DEIR Project Objectives be revised to add an objective that acknowledges long term land use compatibility between the EOC site and its surrounding environs as an objective of the State.
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
13 Land Use/Planning
The DEIR does not discuss how the proposed EOC, its helipad and communication tower are compatible with the residential development that is planned for FDC. The DEIR does not quantify how often the EOC may be mobilized for emergency events and in doing so does not address its potential impacts. The limited access points to FDC and the future build out of the remainder of the FDC site for housing are land use compatibility issues and necessarily means that surrounding residential communities will experience significant disruption due to EOC operations.
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
14 Reasonable Range of Alternatives
The DEIR did not sufficiently consider the alternative sites noted in the City’s prior letter. Rather, it includes a cursory review of alternatives and concludes they are not feasible without meaningful evaluation.
There are other preferred sites for the EOC Project.
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
15 Other Comments:
• Aesthetics/Visual Impacts
• Noise Impacts
• Traffic and Transportation Impacts (VMT Analysis)
• Impacts to Biological Resources
• Hydrology and Water Quality Impacts
• Utilities and Service Systems Impacts
• Impacts to Public Services
• Recirculation for additional for public comment
City’s Draft EIR Comment Letter Highlights
16 Staff recommends the City Council:
• Provide feedback on the draft comment letter; and
• Authorize the City Manager or designee to finalize the letter incorporating Council feedback and submit the letter to the State.
Staff Recommendation
October 17, 2023
State’s Southern Region Emergency Operations
Center Project at the Fairview Developmental Center –
Draft Environmental Impact Report Comment Letter