HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-26-2023 MinutesSPECIAL JOINT STUDY SESSION MEETING OF THE COSTA MESA
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
JULY 26, 2023 - 5:00 P.M. - MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER — The Study Session meeting was called to order by Mayor Stephens at
5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Planning Commission Chair Adam Ereth, Planning Commission Vice Chair Russell
Toler, Planning Commissioner Angely Andrade Vallarta (Arrived at 5:36 p.m.),
Planning Commissioner Johnny Rojas, Planning Commissioner Jimmy Vivar, and
Planning Commissioner Jon Zich, Council Member Chavez (Left at 6:45 p.m.),
Council Member Gameros, Council Member Harper, Council Member Marr, Council
Member Reynolds, Mayor Pro Tern Harlan, and Mayor Stephens,
Absent: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dianne Russell spoke in support of inclusionary housing, spoke on in -lieu fees, and spoke in
support of low and very low-income housing.
Speaker, spoke in support of an inclusionary housing ordinance.
Eric Nelson, representing the Building Industry Association, spoke on housing development
and policies, spoke on industry profits, reduction of housing stock for sale, and encouraged an
incentive program.
Jay Humphrey, Costa Mesa, spoke on an inclusionary housing ordinance, RHNA numbers,
and penalties.
Speaker, Resilience Orange County, spoke on housing insecurity, developing housing
opportunities, prioritizing the needs of Costa Mesa workers, and in -lieu fee programs.
Kathy Esfahani, Costa Mesa Affordable Housing Coalition, spoke on the need to set aside very
low-income units, spoke on the need for an inclusionary housing ordinance, and spoke on
Irvine's inclusionary housing ordinance.
Minutes — Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session — July 26, 2023
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Adam Wood, representing the Building Industry Association, spoke in favor of affordable
housing but against an inclusionary housing ordinance, spoke on the cities of Santa Ana and
Tustin, inclusionary zoning, and spoke on not limiting housing production.
Speaker, Resilience Orange County, spoke in support of an inclusionary housing ordinance,
and spoke in support of adopting a rental registry.
Speaker, spoke in support of an inclusionary housing ordinance, changing zoning to provide
incentives, supports decreasing the parking requirements, and spoke on Assembly Bill 309,
The Social Housing Act.
David Haithcock, President and CEO of Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, spoke on
analyzing affordable housing and impacts to pricing, and encouraged collaboration with
stakeholders.
Speaker, spoke on collaboration, benchmarking, and researching other cities with successful
ordinances.
Speaker, spoke on the need for affordable rental housing.
Ashley Anderson, Orange County Eviction Diversion Collaborative, spoke on the state of
evictions in Orange County.
Jennifer Bullard, Orange County Business Council, spoke in support of workforce housing and
against inclusionary zoning, and spoke on a collaborative effort between government and
business to incentivize affordable housing.
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ITEM:
1. FOLLOW-UP JOINT STUDY SESSION REGARDING A POTENTIAL INCLUSIONARY
HOUSING PROGRAM
Presentation by Kathe Head, Consultant and Jennifer Le, Economic and Development
Services Director.
City Council and Planning Commission recessed into a break at 6:28 p.m.
City Council and Planning Commission reconvened at 6:41 p.m.
Discussion ensued on the timing of an ordinance, land availability, how to incentivize
property owners, allowing more units, engaging with the development community, the
need for policies and procedures, meeting with major developers, incentives for housing
as well as apartment housing, and ownership versus rental.
City Council and Planning Commission received the staff presentation, provided
feedback on policy recommendations, and provided direction regarding an inclusionary
housing ordinance for Planning Commission and City Council consideration.
Minutes — Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session — July 26, 2023
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ADJOURNMENT — The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
Minutes adopted on this 5th day of September, 2023.
John Stephens, Mayor
ATTEST:
Brenda Green, dity Clerk
Minutes — Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session — July 26, 2023
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