Six years ago, Costa Mesa residents enacted Measure Y, which mandated that the city council secure voter approval for all major development projects. Now, new legislation known as Measure K is set to go before voters, potentially removing this voter approval requirement for such projects.
Councilmember Arlis Reynolds is among the proponents pushing for Measure K’s passage. She served on the Ad Hoc Housing Committee that drafted the measure, alongside Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Marr and Councilman Jeffrey Harlan. If passed, Measure K would grant the city council increased authority over development projects, with final approval resting in their hands.
The Ad Hoc Housing Committee held one public meeting on the measure. Following this, amendments were advanced at a city council meeting to decide if the measure would go to the ballot, a process that some councilmembers reported left little time for a thorough review. Councilmember Reynolds and Mayor Pro Tem Marr have refuted claims that Measure K was 'rammed through' to the ballot without adequate public opinion.
City councilmembers supporting Measure K underscore its importance for complying with state requirements that mandate cities plan for affordable housing. Current state rules stipulate that future development projects must include on-site, taxpayer-subsidized, low-income housing.
However, opponents of the measure argue that Measure K lacks specific language to ensure housing units are built for middle and working-class families, seniors, veterans, or the disabled. They cite instances in other cities where similar state compliance, without explicit mandates, has resulted in a small fraction of units being allocated to low-income residents within mixed-use, high-density dwellings. Former City Councilmember Jay Humphfreys noted, “There is nothing that requires affordable housing in Measure K.”
Opponents also express concerns that Measure K offers no guarantee that the housing needs for low-income residents will actually be met. They suggest it could instead lead to a significant increase in the city's population without fulfilling the state’s stated objectives. While the Housing Element previously identified specific areas for development to ensure compliance, Measure K expanded this scope to include areas along all Costa Mesa’s corridors.
Councilmember Reynolds emphasized the urgency of action regarding housing, stating that "Doing nothing is not an option." She added that the council must address housing concerns for the significant portion of residents affected. Reynolds maintains that the City Council can provide solutions, stating that Measure K would allow them to meet current housing needs and invest in ways Costa Mesa residents truly desire.
