The measure won 50.03 to 49.97 percent—or 16,483 to 16,461 votes, according to Dec. 2 certified results from the county registrar.
The city council put the measure on the ballot in August to modify Measure Y, which was approved by 2016 voters. Under the latter measure, voter approval was required for developments that exceeded certain criteria such as square footage, effects on traffic, and number of units.
But since its passing, no projects had ever gone to the public for a vote. Some developers said such would pose too big a financial risk, with significant funding outlay required on a project which could be potentially rejected.
City Councilman Jeffrey Harlan told The Epoch Times with Measure K passing, the city will likely see many more developments.
“Measure K is a structural policy change. So, it’s going to take some time for the impacts to actually occur,” he said. “But I anticipate we will see a lot more investment in Costa Mesa than we’ve had in the last six years.”
Harlan also said that the city plans to craft what’s called an inclusionary housing ordinance, which will require affordable housing in development projects.
“It’s been on our radar for a while now, but I think it’s going to be even more important to get passed with Measure K passing,” he said.
Under the newly passed measure, developers will only need approval from the city council for such projects in some commercial corridors within the city. Residential areas will still require a public vote.
Proponents have said the measure was necessary for the city to comply with the state’s affordable housing quota.
Costa Mesa is currently mandated by the state to zone for over 12,000 housing units by 2029—nearly a 28 percent increase compared to now—with many required to be affordable.
But those against the measure have said it doesn’t guarantee affordable housing—as there is no requirement for it in the measure—and it takes away voters’ rights to weigh in on certain developments.
Costa Mesa Councilman Don Harper—who voted against placing Measure K on the ballot in August—told The Epoch Times it was “misrepresented” to recent voters in its title “Ordinance to Revitalize Commercial and Industrial Areas and Protect Residential Neighborhoods.”
“The whole title of revitalized Costa Mesa is not true,” he said. “The measure doesn’t do that. The measure simply takes away voter’s rights to vote on high-density projects, period.”
Corridors that no longer need a public vote of approval 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.
Measure K will become effective Dec. 12.
