Costa Mesa residents will vote Nov. 8 on Measure K, which, if approved, will no longer require high-density developments to have a public vote for approval in some areas in the city.
Some city councilors who voted in August to place the issue on the ballot, say it will encourage development and is necessary to remain compliant with the state’s affordable housing quota. But opponents say it takes away the public’s right to vote on such developments and lacks requirements for affordable housing.
“This measure is flawed because of transparency, or the lack of transparency,” Wendy Leece, a former Costa Mesa city councilwoman, said during public comments at an Oct. 4 council meeting. “We want a say in future development. We are already a built-out city.”
In 2016, voters approved Measure Y, which requires voter approval for developments that exceed certain criteria, such as number of units, square footage, or effects on traffic.
Measure K would roll back some of Measure Y, which would be retained in areas currently zoned for residential properties.
If approved, developers would only need approval from the city council rather than voting residents for new projects.
Since the enactment of Measure Y, no projects have gone to the public for a vote. Some developers have protested that it poses too big a financial risk and that they have to spend significantly to court voters for their approval, which is not a guarantee.
Councilman Jeffrey Harlan said at a council meeting in August that Measure Y has choked off new housing developments.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s killed all housing development,” Harlan said then.
Proponents say it will allow Costa Mesa to meet state housing requirements, which is mandating over 12,000 housing units—a nearly 28 percent increase—with many required to be affordable, by 2029.
“Measure K does not take your right away to vote on projects. Not one project proposal has come before Costa Mesa voters in six years,” Planning Commissioner Dianne Russell said during the Oct. 4 council meeting.
But some say the measure does not guarantee affordable housing.
Costa Mesa City Councilman Don Harper, who voted against Measure K in August, told The Epoch Times, “the only thing it does is take away the requirements that voters vote on high-density projects.”
While Measure K does promise to “encourage development of affordable housing for working- and middle-class families,” it does not have any requirement for such, he said.
Corridors that would potentially be exempt by the measure include fragments of Newport and Harbor boulevards, Baker Street between State Road 73 and State Road 55, Placentia Avenue, West 17th, West 18th, and West 19th streets, as well as areas north of the 405 freeway.
If approved by voters, the measure would be effective 10 days after certification of the election.
