Planning Commission approves housing projects | 121 Cecil Place | Costa Mesa | The Common News

Summary

Planning Commission approves housing projects

Costa MesaMar 9, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The Planning Commission approved an 18-month extension for an eight-unit live/work project on Pomona Avenue and approved design and map changes for two townhome condominiums at Cecil Place, with tree placement conditions added to improve the sidewalk area.

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PLANNING COMMISSION

Topics discussed

EnvironmentalHousing

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What this means

The commission gave the Pomona Avenue live/work project more time to secure building permits, but shortened the extension to 18 months instead of the full two years staff had recommended. It also approved two townhome condominiums at Cecil Place and required changes to place replacement olive trees as close to the sidewalk as feasible, which is meant to improve shade and the pedestrian experience. Both projects were found eligible for a California environmental review exemption, so they can move forward without a full environmental report at this stage.

Key decisions

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Approved an 18-month extension of time for PA-22-30, a master plan for an eight-unit live/work development at 1711-1719 Pomona Avenue.
Found the Pomona Avenue project categorically exempt from CEQA under Class 32 infill development.
Approved Design Review PDES-25-0003, Tentative Parcel Map PTPM-25-0003, and Development Review PDVR-25-0005 for two two-story townhome condominiums at 121 Cecil Place.
Added a condition requiring two replacement olive trees to be placed as close to the sidewalk as feasible, subject to staff review and site constraints.
Found the Cecil Place project exempt from CEQA under Class 15 and Class 3 exemptions.

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Meeting information

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PLANNING COMMISSION

Mar 9, 2026, 6:00 PMCity Council Chambers 77 Fair Drivescheduled

Agenda

The Commission meetings are presented in a hybrid format, both in-person at City Hall and as a courtesy virtually via Zoom Webinar. If the Zoom feature is having system outages or experiencing other critical issues, the meeting will continue in person.
TRANSLATION SERVICES AVAILABLE / SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCIÓN DISPONIBLE Please contact the City Clerk at (714) 754-5225 to request language interpreting services for City meetings. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make arrangements. Favor de comunicarse con la Secretaria Municipal al (714) 754-5225 para solicitar servicios de interpretación de idioma para las juntas de la Ciudad. Se pide notificación por lo mínimo 48 horas de anticipación, esto permite que la Ciudad haga los arreglos necesarios.
Members of the public can view the Commission meetings live on COSTA MESA TV (SPECTRUM CHANNEL 3 AND AT&T U-VERSE CHANNEL 99) or http://costamesa.granicus.com/player/camera/2?publish_id=10&redirect=true and online at youtube.com/costamesatv. Closed Captioning is available via the Zoom option in English and Spanish. Members of the public are welcome to speak during the meeting when the Chair opens the floor for public comment. There is no need to register in advance or complete a comment card. When it's time to comment, line up at one of the two podiums in the room and wait for your turn. Each speaker will have up to 3 minutes (or as directed) to address the Commission. To maintain a respectful and orderly atmosphere during the meeting, attendees shall refrain from using horns or amplified speakers. Signs and props may be brought into the Chamber, provided they do not exceed 11 inches by 18 inches in size and do not hinder the visibility of other attendees. The possession of poles, sticks, or stakes is strictly prohibited. All attendees must remain seated while in the chamber until instructed by the Presiding Officer to approach and line up for public comment. To ensure safety and maintain order during the proceedings, standing or congregating in the aisles or foyer is strictly prohibited.
Zoom Webinar: Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/96060379921?pwd=N2lvbzhJM2hWU3puZkk1T3VYTXhoQT09 Or sign into Zoom.com and “Join a Meeting” Enter Webinar ID: 960 6037 9921 / Password: 595958 • If Zoom is not already installed on your computer, click “Download & Run Zoom” on the launch page and press “Run” when prompted by your browser. If Zoom has previously been installed on your computer, please allow a few moments for the application to launch automatically. • Select “Join Audio via Computer.” • The virtual conference room will open. If you receive a message reading, “Please wait for the host to start this meeting,” simply remain in the room until the meeting begins. • During the Public Comment Period, use the “raise hand” feature located in the participants’ window and wait for city staff to announce your name and unmute your line when it is your turn to speak. Comments are limited to 3 minutes, or as otherwise directed.
Participate via telephone: Call: 1 669 900 6833 Enter Webinar ID: 960 6037 9921 / Password: : 595958 During the Public Comment Period, press *9 to add yourself to the queue and wait for city staff to announce your name/phone number and press *6 to unmute your line when it is your turn to speak. Comments are limited to 3 minutes, or as otherwise directed. 4. Additionally, members of the public who wish to make a written comment on a specific agenda item, may submit a written comment via email to the PCPublicComments@costamesaca.gov. Comments received by 12:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting will be provided to the Commission, made available to the public, and will be part of the meeting record. 5. Please know that it is important for the City to allow public participation at this meeting. If you are unable to participate in the meeting via the processes set forth above, please contact the City Clerk at (714) 754-5225 or cityclerk@costamesaca.gov and staff will attempt to accommodate you. While the City does not expect there to be any changes to the above process for participating in this meeting, if there is a change, the City will post the information as soon as possible to the City’s website.
Note that records submitted by the public will not be redacted in any way and will be posted online as submitted, including any personal contact information. All pictures, PowerPoints, and videos submitted for display at a public meeting must be previously reviewed by staff to verify appropriateness for general audiences. No links to YouTube videos or other streaming services will be accepted, a direct video file will need to be emailed to staff prior to each meeting in order to minimize complications and to play the video without delay. The video must be one of the following formats, .mp4, .mov or .wmv. Only one file may be included per speaker for public comments. Please e-mail to PCPublicComments@costamesaca.gov NO LATER THAN 12:00 Noon on the date of the meeting.
Note regarding agenda-related documents provided to a majority of the Commission after distribution of the agenda packet (GC §54957.5): Any related documents provided to a majority of the Commission after distribution of the Agenda Packets will be made available for public inspection. Such documents will be posted on the city’s website and will be available at the City Clerk's office, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. All cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off or set to vibrate. Members of the audience are requested to step outside the Council Chambers to conduct a phone conversation.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the Council Chambers during the meetings. The network username available is: CM_Council. The password is: cmcouncil1953. As a LEED Gold Certified City, Costa Mesa is fully committed to environmental sustainability. A minimum number of hard copies of the agenda will be available in the Council Chambers. For your convenience, a binder of the entire agenda packet will be at the table in the foyer of the Council Chambers for viewing. Agendas and reports can be viewed on the City website at https://costamesa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Assistive Listening headphones are available and can be checked out from the City Clerk. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (714) 754-5225. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II]. En conformidad con la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA), aparatos de asistencia están disponibles y podrán ser prestados notificando a la Secretaria Municipal. Si necesita asistencia especial para participar en esta junta, comuníquese con la oficina de la Secretaria Municipal al (714) 754-5225. Se pide dar notificación a la Ciudad por lo mínimo 48 horas de anticipación para garantizar accesibilidad razonable a la junta. [28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II].
PAGE BREAK
PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 9, 2026 – 6:00 P.M. JEFFREY HARLAN CHAIR JON ZICH ANGELY ANDRADE VICE CHAIR PLANNING COMMISSIONER ROBERT DICKSON KAREN KLEPACK PLANNING COMMISSIONER PLANNING COMMISSIONER DAVID MARTINEZ JOHNNY ROJAS PLANNING COMMISSIONER PLANNING COMMISSIONER TARQUIN PREZIOSI CARRIE TAI ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY DIRECTOR
Agenda Item
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS – MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA Comments are limited to three (3) minutes, or as otherwise directed.
PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR:
FEBRUARY 23, 2026 UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR MASTER PLAN (PA-22-30) FOR AN EIGHT-UNIT LIVE/WORK DEVELOPMENT AT 1711-1719 POMONA AVENUE
DESIGN REVIEW PDES-25-0003, TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP PTPM-25-0003, AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PDVR-25-0005 FOR A COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF TWO, TWO-STORY TOWNHOME CONDOMINIUMS LOCATED AT 121 CECIL PLACE
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
2. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES REPORT
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
1. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: Costa Mesa Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. APPEAL PROCEDURE: Unless otherwise indicated, the decision of the Planning Commission is final at 5:00 p.m., seven (7) days following the action, unless an affected party files an appeal to the City Council, or a member of City Council requests a review. Applications for appeals are available through the City Clerk’s Office; please call (714) 754-5225 for additional information. CONTACT CITY STAFF: 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Planning Division (714) 754-5245 planninginfo@costamesaca.gov

Documents from this meeting

Packethttps://costamesa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=PA&ID=1399778&GUID=F113D8B7-4F30-45D6-906B-8964CFFEC2A7&G=5247A5EF-DEC8-4683-BF5A-81EAA9A32B09
Agendahttps://costamesa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1399778&GUID=F113D8B7-4F30-45D6-906B-8964CFFEC2A7&G=5247A5EF-DEC8-4683-BF5A-81EAA9A32B09
Agendahttps://costamesa.legistar1.com/costamesa/meetings/2026/3/1374_A_PLANNING_COMMISSION_26-03-09_Agenda.pdf
Minuteshttps://costamesa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1399778&GUID=F113D8B7-4F30-45D6-906B-8964CFFEC2A7&G=5247A5EF-DEC8-4683-BF5A-81EAA9A32B09

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