Costa Mesa’s Measure Y won’t go before voters for changes, but could be part of future talks on growth

The Costa Mesa City Council backed away Tuesday from a proposal that would have asked residents to decide in November on modifying Measure Y, a 2016 initiative requiring voter approval of development projects that pass certain zoning and impact thresholds.

Instead, the city will form a citizens advisory group tasked with creating a broader vision for encouraging economic development while still preserving Costa Mesa’s quality of life.

Council members discussed in a May 19 meeting the possibility of loosening Measure Y to exempt certain affordable housing projects, or create geographic areas of exemption, as the city anticipates receiving steep housing requirements from the state later this year.

But after hearing nearly two hours of public commentary in a meeting that lasted past 1 a.m., the panel decided to adjourn and continue its discussion to a second meeting Tuesday.

Mayor Pro Tem John Stephens made a motion to receive and file the May 19 staff report, essentially scuttling the proposed new ballot initiative, claiming the city lacked clear direction on how to proceed.

“I just don’t think it’s appropriate to put this on the ballot,” Stephens said. “I don’t think we have consensus in our community about an amendment.”

Councilwoman Andrea Marr said during last week’s meeting the restrictions imposed by Measure Y have stood in the way of several projects that may have benefited the city, including two hotels and an art museum.

One current proposal, One Metro West — a mixed-use development that would add 1,057 residential units and thousands of square feet of office and retail space north of the 405 Freeway — is large enough to trigger Measure Y’s mandates and comes before the City Council in June.

Many residents who have spoken against the project have drawn connections between the council’s consideration of One Metro West and talk of modifying Measure Y.

Backers of the development claim the project, brought by Beverly Hills developer Rose Equities, would help bring badly needed housing to Costa Mesa while bolstering the local economy.

Marr said Tuesday she hoped the city could find some way to create a plan for fostering economic growth with input from residents and community stakeholders, particularly given the negative impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on local retailers.

“There’s got to be a way in which we can promote the vision of the city and slowly, methodically and thoughtfully provide an opportunity for improvements on some of our major thoroughfares,” she said.

Marr acknowledged discussing or possibly changing Measure Y could be undertaken by a citizens advisory group.

Councilwoman Sandy Genis said she came to Tuesday’s meeting prepared to defend Measure Y and was glad to see its potential modification would not be moving forward. Still, she said she was concerned about “false narratives” that implicated Measure Y as an impediment to growth.

“If the project is good enough, the residents will approve it. And if it’s not that good, you know what, a better project will come along,” she said. “The voters’ vision should prevail.”

Passed in 2016, Measure Y stipulates developments that would both require changes to the city’s zoning code or general plan and meet at least one of a host of other requirements, including containing 40 or more residential units, adding 10,000 square feet or more of commercial space or generating more than 200 average daily vehicle trips, be put before voters in an upcoming election.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.