Developers, protesters face off over One Metro West, going before Costa Mesa Council Tuesday

Developers seeking to build a 15.23-acre mixed-use development with 1,057 apartments on an industrial area in Costa Mesa north of the 405 Freeway hosted a block party Friday — days before the project will be heard by the City Council.

Held at the commercial SOCO and the OC Mix, adjacent to the proposed project location at 1683 Sunflower Ave., the rally was intended to drum up excitement and support in advance of a public hearing Tuesday.

But it also attracted the attention of community activists, who came to the shopping complex Friday with posters in hand and marched in the parking lot as guests sipped iced tea and enjoyed complimentary boxed lunches.

A rendering of One Metro West, a 1,057-unit residential development by Rose Equities planned for Costa Mesa, was on display Friday at a block party hosted by the Beverly Hills developer.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

At the root of their protest is a belief that city officials, keen on reaping the benefits proposed in a 25-year-development agreement on the table, could potentially seek to amend or overturn Costa Mesa’s Measure Y, a 2016 law that requires voter approval of development projects that exceed certain zoning and impact thresholds.

“I want the council to stand up to protect Y — it’s the people’s initiative,” said longtime resident Mary Spadoni, who carried a sign reading: “Free lunch won’t buy Costa Mesa.”

“If they think they’re going to pull some backroom baloney in our city, that’s not going to happen.”

Spadoni and fellow objectors claim the project is too dense and would unwisely rezone a commercial area that could bring jobs and revenue to the city for years to come, in exchange for a handful of one-time benefits.

Protesters look on from a distance as guests mingle and have lunch Friday at a block party hosted by Rose Equities at the OC Mix in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Former Mayor Sandy Genis said One Metro West’s high density would throw off city standards intended to balance development and open space and be a drain on city services and resources.

“They’d pay fees, but it only covers a tiny portion,” she said. “That means the rest of us either pay with our tax dollars or with reduced services.”

But Rose Equities partner Brent Stoll, who spearheaded Friday’s event, has a different view.

Stoll said the area near the project site is home to businesses that employ thousands of workers who currently cannot find housing in Costa Mesa.

Rose Equities partner Brent Stoll, second from right, at block party hosted by the developers at the OC Mix on Friday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

“We’re in a neighborhood — our neighborhood is SOCO and Vans and the Hive,” he said, describing a plan at least seven years in the making. “We’re not going anywhere. We believe in Costa Mesa, and we want to be a part of Costa Mesa’s future. That’s why we wanted to throw a block party.”

The developer briefly engaged with the protesters, attempting to respond to their claims and concerns. He told them he had no plan to upend Measure Y and said the project would be going to a vote.

In addition to its residential units, One Metro West would include a 1.5-acre public park and bike paths that connect to the Santa Ana River Trail, in addition to 25,000 square feet of office space and 6,000 square feet of specialty retail.

Roughly 10% of the 1,057 housing units would be reserved for low-income residents for a 40-year period, and the project would help Costa Mesa get closer to a state-mandated goal to plan and zone for an additional 11,733 housing units by 2029.

A rendering of One Metro West, a 1,057-unit residential development by Rose Equities, was on display Friday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

In exchange for the entitlements being sought, Rose Equities would pay the city $6 million to use on public safety, roadway improvements and essential government services, in addition to another $7.5 million in required city park and development fees and more than $2 million in traffic and fire impact fees.

“This is an economic powerhouse for the city of Costa Mesa,” said Rose Equities principal Leonard Glickman, describing how separate plans by defense contractor Anduril to build its headquarters down the street on Sunflower Avenue could bring in 2,000 employees who earn six-figure salaries.

With no place to reside in town, those workers will look elsewhere, he said. Meanwhile, mandates in the city’s Measure Y are prohibiting developers from doing business in Costa Mesa.

“Since Measure Y has been in existence there’s only been one applicant — us. Costa Mesa has its hands tied behind its back. They’re going to have to do something with Measure Y,” he said, adding, “I trust in the wisdom of the new council.”

The Costa Mesa City Council will meet virtually on Tuesday at 6 p.m. For the meeting agenda, visit costamesaca.gov/city-hall/city-council.

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