Costa Mesa commissioner urges study of Fairview golf courses for open space and housing

Commissioner Dawn Parker urged the Parks and Community Services Commission on Jan. 8 to open an advisory discussion about the city-owned golf courses adjacent to the Fairview Development Center and consider converting part of the layout to open space and housing. "We have Fairview Development Center and adjacent to the golf courses the city owns," Parker said, asking the commission to gather data and "see how we can build more housing density if we remove the green space."

Why it matters: Parker said youth sports fields, playgrounds and smaller nine-hole courses would expand recreational access and help relieve crowded fields. She characterized the opportunity as "once in a lifetime," and asked staff to provide specific data — gross revenue, number of participants by course and the net financial position — so the commission and ultimately City Council can weigh trade-offs. "I keep hearing about $3,000,000 but what is the net?" she asked.

Parker asked the commission to take an advisory role to collect and review the facts, not to make policy decisions on the spot. Several commissioners supported studying the issue further: Commissioner Ledger and Commissioner Kamala said they wanted the topic on a future agenda, while others urged careful attention to maintenance, access and community priorities. Chair Brown said vice chair Wright and she would follow up in agenda-prep meetings and that the commission is busy through April, suggesting a fuller discussion later in the spring or summer.

What was asked of staff: Parker requested course-level revenue and participation counts, expense and net-revenue figures, and analysis of how changes would affect the capital-improvement program and fee structure. The chair also asked commissioners to identify what specific questions they want staff to answer in follow-up.

What did not happen: No formal motion or vote was taken on altering Fairview course layouts or land use. The conversation was recorded as commissioner comment and a suggestion to agendize a future study; commissioners and staff discussed timing for further work and public engagement.

Context and next steps: Director Gruner and staff noted the city is already coordinating park master plans and that Fairview Park has an active steering committee; the commission asked staff to return with a synthesis of the steering committee’s earlier procedural discussion and to develop a clear list of data points and timeline for study. The matter remains at the discussion stage pending future agenda placement and staff analysis.