At the February 2, 2010 meeting, the Costa Mesa City Council unanimously approved the description of what can and can't be done on the Fairgrounds property. Council wanted to approve the landuse description prior to bringing the ballot initiative forward at the February 16, 2010 meeting. The documents are available here Download 020210GP0901OCFEC
Key points in the language:
- The floor area ratio (FAR) is kept at 0.10. This means that for every 100 square feet of land, a building can cover 10 square feet.
- The use for agricultural-related educational institutions and equestrian uses are part of the description.
- Permitted uses include an outdoor marketplace, equestrian activities, exposition and conference uses, agricultural and livestock activities, restaurants, temporary specialty retail sales (the Christmas tree lot can stay!), emergency operations use (evacuation center for people and animals) and concert and live entertainment.
- Other allowed complementary uses are botanical gardens, animal exhibits, museum, art gallery, historical gallery and performance theaters.
- Prohibited uses include casinos or gambling, shopping centers, sports facilities which are not related to the Fair, hotel or motel, housing, self-storage facilities, hospitals or medical uses.
Council Member Katrina Foley wanted to make sure the uses allowed a skate park, like the one used for the Maloof Money Cup, to be built. Staff stated that such a facility could be built because the skate park could be used by the Fair. The limits on sports facilities is to preclude the building of a stadium or arena for the exclusive use of specific teams.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposed land use changes.
The video from the Appropriations Committee of the Assembly was screened, which brought laughter from several members of the public and Council.
Costa Mesa is taking this action to protect their interests. The main entrance of the Orange County Fairgrounds shares a stoplight and crosswalk with Costa Mesa City Hall. The Fairgrounds were put up for sale after the 32nd DAA Fair Board requested the property be put up for sale, and then formed a private foundation to buy the property. Since then, an auction has been held with Craig Realty, an outlet mall developer and the developer of Downtown Brea, submitting the highest bid. No winner has been announced by the Department of General Services (DGS.) Costa Mesa is taking this action to protect their community from unwanted overdevelopment.
Costa Mesa City Council will consider moving forward on the ballot initiative language at the February 16, 2010 meeting.
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