UPDATE: The agenda was just updated to remove New Business Item #1, regarding direction to staff to study self-checkout regulations. Stay tuned…

Hey team: Goat Wrangler here. This week I’m handing the reins for the City Council preview over to ROBO-Goat. Why? Because I’ve been volunt-told by my church that it’s time to go all-in on planning this year’s vacation bible school, and those things don’t plan themselves! Take it away, ROBO-Goat:

City Council – April 15, 2025, by 🤖🐐ROBO-Goat

Looking for a quick rundown of what your local government is up to? Here’s what’s happening at tonight’s Costa Mesa City Council meeting:

When & Where: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at City Hall (77 Fair Drive). Closed session starts at 4:00 PM, public meeting at 6:00 PM.

Can’t make it in person? Watch live on Costa Mesa TV (Spectrum Channel 3 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99), YouTube, or join via Zoom.

What’s on the agenda:

• A presentation from the Active Transportation Committee (bike and pedestrian folks)
• Routine business items (approving minutes, paying bills)
• Consent Calendar highlight: Item #5 is the 2024 Annual Progress Report on the city’s 2015-2035 General Plan. This report needs to be submitted to state agencies and will likely be pulled for public discussion. It covers how the city is progressing on its long-term planning goals.
• Two public hearings:
  • An appeal about a cannabis shop permit at 1912 Harbor Boulevard
  • A relocation plan for tenants at 778 Shalimar Drive
• A couple decisions to make:
  • Appointing someone to the Animal Services Committee and confirming a liaison to the Fairview Park Steering Committee
  • Discussing whether to create rules about staffing at self-checkout lanes in grocery stores

Deeper dives on each item:

Active Transportation Committee Presentation

I expect Committee Chair Andrew Barnes will present findings on how Costa Mesa’s recent street safety improvements are impacting cyclist and pedestrian safety.

The presentation will likely analyze CMPD collision data to show the relationship between recent infrastructure additions (like bollard-protected bike lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, and leading pedestrian intervals at intersections) and actual safety outcomes.

Barnes will probably highlight whether these investments are delivering on their promise to reduce accidents and make Costa Mesa’s streets safer for everyone. This data-driven approach should help the Council understand if the city’s active transportation efforts are moving in the right direction.

Consent Calendar Item #5: 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report

Costa Mesa has released its 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report summarizing how the city is implementing its long-term vision. The report tracks progress on all 10 elements of the city’s General Plan, covering everything from housing to transportation. Here are the highlights:

• Key accomplishments in 2024:
  • Updated cannabis and outdoor dining regulations
  • Approved the Pedestrian Master Plan
  • Completed multiple bike lane and pedestrian safety improvements
  • Added a historic home to the Local Historic Register
  • Approved improvements to multiple parks
• Housing progress:
  • Completed 284 new housing units (including 209 at Lux Apartments)
  • Issued 123 building permits
  • Since October 2021, the city has permitted 373 units toward its 11,760 goal
  • Pipeline projects could add over 2,600 more units

The City Council is being asked to approve this report for submission to state agencies, who use it to track how local planning aligns with statewide goals Future plans include updating the General Plan to accommodate housing needs and adding environmental justice policies.

Public Hearing #1: Appeal of Green-Mart Cannabis Permit at 1912 Harbor Boulevard

The Costa Mesa City Council will consider an appeal against a recently approved cannabis retail store:

• The Planning Commission approved “Green Mart” cannabis storefront at 1912 Harbor Boulevard on February 24 (3-2 vote)
• Project details:
  • 2,400-square-foot retail cannabis store with delivery service
  • Located in an existing commercial building
  • Includes interior renovations and exterior façade updates
  • Operating hours: 7am-10pm daily
• An appeal was filed by the owner of the neighboring shopping center citing concerns about:
  • Parking and vehicle circulation
  • Architectural compatibility
  • Operational issues (loading/unloading, odor, safety)
• City staff recommends Council deny the appeal and uphold the approval, finding the project:
  • Meets zoning requirements
  • Is exempt from CEQA review
  • Will generate tax revenue (7% on gross receipts)

The Council will make the final decision at the April 15 meeting.

Public Hearing #2: 778 Shalimar Drive Tenant Relocation Proposal

The city is buying a small apartment building next to Shalimar Park and plans to demolish it to expand recreational space in the Westside neighborhood.

The four-unit property at 778 Shalimar Drive went up for sale last year, and the city saw an opportunity to add community amenities – possibly a community center or affordable housing.

Three families currently live in the building, and the city needs to help relocate them before finalizing the purchase. At tonight’s meeting (April 15), the Council will vote on a relocation plan that provides:

• Help finding new homes
• Moving expenses
• Rental assistance if their new place costs more

The city is offering spots in nearby city-owned affordable housing units, and one family has already been approved for one of these homes.

Interestingly, the $204,000 for relocation assistance is coming from the Housing Trust Fund – a pot of money specifically created to increase affordable housing in Costa Mesa. The fund is meant for building new affordable units, offering rent subsidies, or helping first-time homebuyers.

One might wonder if using these dedicated housing dollars to relocate tenants from a property the city plans to demolish really aligns with the fund’s purpose of creating more affordable housing options, not fewer.

Old Business Item #1: Appointment to the Animal Services Committee and Confirmation of OCME Liaison to the Fairview Park Steering Committee

At the last City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez deferred his selection to the Animal Services Committee to this meeting. In addition to voting on Mayor Pro Tem Chavez’s selection, the City Council will also confirm Hank Castignetti as the as the Orange County Model
Engineers (OCME) City liaison to the Fairview Park Steering Committee.

New Business Item #1: Direction to Consider Rules for Self-Checkout Machines

Costa Mesa officials are considering whether to establish rules for those self-checkout machines at your local supermarket.

After hearing concerns about theft and understaffing at these self-checkout lanes during a recent meeting, Mayor Stephens and Mayor Pro Tem Chavez want staff to research possible regulations.

They’re looking to Long Beach for inspiration, where officials recently began exploring similar rules around staffing requirements at self-checkout stations.

If the Council votes yes tonight (April 15), city staff will investigate what other cities are doing and come back with recommendations on whether Costa Mesa should create its own ordinance.

The research won’t cost taxpayers any extra money, as staff says they can handle it within the existing budget.

Thanks, ROBO-Goat!