On Tuesday, February 16, the Costa Mesa City Council will continue work on the ballot measure needed to protect the Orange County Fairgrounds from becoming a shopping center, professional sports stadium, casino or other uses. Council will finalize the land use description of the allowed and disallowed uses of the property and begin the ballot initiative process. Costa Mesa City Council meets at 6 PM at 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA.
Land use description for the Fairgrounds Download 021610GP0901OCFEC
Staff Report on ballot initiative Download 021610_BALLOT_MEASURE_OCFEC_Report
Costa Mesa is doing the ballot initiative as a way of protecting the city and residents against unwanted development. Former Costa Mesa Mayor Peter Buffa has reportedly been hired by Craig Realty. The Orange County Fair Board started this when they asked the Governor to place the Orange County Fairgrounds up for sale in July 2009. The Fair Board then formed a private foundation to buy the property, while still continuing to make decisions for and spend money on the Fairgrounds. Kristina Dodge is currently chair of both the Fair Board and the private Fair Foundation.
At the last meeting of the Fair Board on January 21, 2010, the Fair Board granted CEO Steve Beazely a raise, an act which potentially raises his pension. Also at the meeting, Chair Kristina Dodge tried to send a request to have the Fair Board ask the Governor to cancel the sale to committee. After much work, the Board agreed to meet on February 2, 2010, ten days later. The meeting was cancelled due a lack of a quorum and rescheduled to February 9, 2010. That meeting was also cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.
The next meeting of the Fair Board is on February 25, 2010, at 10 AM in the administration building off Arlington.
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