At the Tuesday, Aug. 4 meeting, the City Council will consider approving amendments to Title 13 (Planning, Zoning and Development) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code.

The amendments would update land-use classifications for various non-residential uses, such as personal services, artisan studios, active entertainment uses, event and fitness centers and more.

Additionally, the council will be presented with an annual report from the Parks & Community Services Commission.

The council meeting starts at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers.

Members of the public can view the City Council meetings in person, or live on Costa Mesa TV (Spectrum Channel 3 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99), on the City’s YouTube Channel, via Zoom or on the City website www.costamesaca.gov. On the website, click the yellow Watch CMTV live button at the top of the page to view the meeting.

On Monday July 27, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Captain Justin Horner began his first shift after being promoted to the position of Battalion Chief.

The promotion began with the CMFR’s “first shift” tradition that included the badge pinning by the Fire Chief and other members of the command staff issuing a new helmet and collar brass, based on new rank advancement.

BC Horner was hired in Costa Mesa as a Firefighter/Paramedic in 2005, promoted to Fire Captain in 2017, and most recently, has served as the Administrative Captain assigned full-time to the EMS Division. 

“Battalion Chief Horner is well deserving of this promotion, and we look forward to seeing the great things he will achieve within the department in his new role,” shared Interim Fire Chief Jason Pyle. 

BC Horner has increased the department’s EMS division and has served as the primary point of contact for all things related to EMS. He has been the face and representative acting as the main conduit with our area hospitals and our county partners. 

Please help us congratulate BC Horner on this well-deserved promotion.

Please join us at the OC Fair, Wednesday, Aug. 5, to support Chief Joyce LaPointe and raise money for CHOC.

Every dollar donated goes directly to children in need at CHOC. Come cheer on Chief LaPointe as she battles fellow first responders in the demolition derby for a good cause.

Please donate today using the QR code above. or on the website https://raiseup.choc.org/OCderby2026.

We hope to see you there!

Check out this “Let’s Talk Costa Mesa" interview with Chief Joyce LaPointe as she gears up for the main event.

Thanks to Dave Padua and the Southside Towing team for working on the RVs every year, and sending a special shout out to Kelly and her class of Costa Mesa art students for their #CostaMazing painting of Chief LaPointe’s RV!

With every lap, hard hit and destroyed motorhome comes the true meaning and cause behind the OC Fair’s Motorhome Madness Demolition Derby event -- the patients at Children's

Hospital Orange County.

Recently OC’s Fire Chiefs (OC Fire Chiefs Association) had the distinct honor to spend some time at CHOC Children’s Hospital (CHOC Foundation) and spend time with the brave girls and boys of CHOC. 

The Chiefs also got a front row seat to the compassion and incredible amount of love and care provided to the kids and their families every day.

For those who cannot join Aug. 5 as Chiefs hit the arena for the kids of CHOC, you can still donate if you feel compelled. 

To join the fight and support the efforts of CHOC Hospital and the boys and girls and families, please visit the following link: Motorhome Madness & Demolition Derby - Fundraise for CHOC

National Night Out is almost here. Bring your family and friends to this FREE community event, Tuesday night, Aug. 4 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Lions Park Event Lawn.

Enjoy food, games, raffle prizes and more fun activities.  

Check out this latest “Let’s Talk Costa Mesa” video interview promoting the upcoming festivities here.

The City of Costa Mesa invites the public to review and comment on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report prepared for the Neighborhoods Where We All Belong Zoning Updates and Housing Element Implementation.

The Draft EIR studies the proposed development potential of Measure K sites through the year 2056. The Draft has been available for public review since June 16, 2026. Submit comments in writing to the City no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 3.

The Notice of Availability and Draft EIR are available online here.

All comments must be submitted in writing via email or mail to:

Attn: Michelle Halligan, Senior Planner

City of Costa Mesa

Community Development Department

77 Fair Drive

Costa Mesa

Or send an email to neighborhoods@costamesaca.gov.

All parties who submit comments on the Draft EIR will be notified of the availability of the Final EIR, which will include responses to comments received. 

If you wish to be placed on the NWWAB mailing list or need additional information, please contact Michelle Halligan at (714) 754-5608 or by email, as noted above.

Makers and product entrepreneurs are invited to enroll in a free program that will help you bring your product to market.

Costa Mesa is hosting the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) MADE program from Aug. 27 to Oct. 8th each Thursday. It connects makers, inventors, artists, designers and product-based entrepreneurs with expert guidance on the business side of innovation.

Participants gain online courses that provide one-on-one consulting to develop and grow a product-based business, and training in product development, branding and sales as well as

hands-on learning opportunities, including a field trip to Maker Faire Orange County.

Graduates may unlock sponsored benefits such as marketing and promotional support, business development resources and temporary retail space offered by the Costa Mesa Business Assistance Collaborative partners.

Register today and take the next step in bringing your ideas to market.

Deadline to register is Aug. 26. Reserve your spot today at https://ociesmallbusiness.org/events/made-august.

CMFR recruits recently completed week four of the Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Recruit Academy.

Recruits focused on truck company operations, with an emphasis on ground ladder deployment and vertical ventilation.

Throughout the week, recruits developed proficiency in selecting, carrying, raising, climbing, and securing ground ladders while reinforcing safe operating practices.

They also trained in vertical ventilation techniques and learned how proper roof operations can not only improve fire conditions but also support interior crews and enhance firefighter and occupant safety.

Through realistic and hands-on training evolutions, recruits strengthened their confidence, teamwork, and communication while performing critical truck company assignments. Each evolution reinforced the importance of discipline, coordination and sound decision-making on the fireground.

As the academy progresses, the recruits continue to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to serve the Costa Mesa community.

Have you had a chance to use Costa Mesa’s new bicycle traffic signal at Fairview Road and Wilson Street yet?

This innovative bicycle signal, which is one of the first in Orange County, helps separate motorists from bicyclists along Fairview from Fair Drive to Newport Boulevard.

Automated video detection equipment triggers the bicycle signal when cyclists approach, activating the red tight turn arrow and alerting drivers to stop and wait since a cyclist may be traveling through the intersection.

The signal is the latest tool that the City is using to increase bicycling throughout the City and allows us to continue the Cycle Track through intersections. T

The project is the latest component of the Fairview Active Transportation Improvements envisioned in the 2018 Active Transportation Plan.

Check out this special “Costa Mesa Minute” demonstrating the new bicycle signal here. 

The construction of mobility and safety improvements on Adams Avenue is nearing completion.

The City contractor has reconstructed the center medians, installed new landscaping, and constructed concrete curbs to separate the bikeway from car traffic.

Last week, the contractor installed a fresh coat of slurry seal to protect, seal, and extend the life of the asphalt. This week, the first coat of paint was placed for the new lane striping which maintains three travel lanes in each direction.

Construction will be paused for the duration of the OC Fair through Aug. 16.

Following the OC Fair, crews will return to complete the final roadway striping items, including the installation of pavement markings, high-visibility crosswalks, and large turning arrow stencils.

The City appreciates the community’s patience during the construction process and looks forward to providing more mobility options without impacting traffic congestion and delivering a safer Adams Avenue.

The City of Costa Mesa is creating a new GIS Strategic Plan to improve the online maps and location-based information residents use every day.

Your feedback will help us build more functional tools, improve access to information, and better serve our community.

Click here to take the survey.

Complete the survey by Aug. 5, 2026, and you can enter a random drawing for a chance to win a prize. Thank you for sharing your ideas!

Gear up to join us for a totally rad night floating under the stars to watch Surf's Up!

This FREE event includes food, treats, activities and contests, prizes, and more. Bring your friends and get ready for a totally tubular adventure.

The event for incoming seventh and 12th graders rolls in on Friday, Aug. 21, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

at the Downtown Aquatic Center, 1860 Anaheim Ave.

Space is limited to the FIRST 50 teens, so sign up today.

Registration is available online or in person at both Teen Center locations: the Downtown Recreation Center teen center and TeWinkle Middle School teen center. 

Reach the Teen Program Office at (714) 327-7562 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or go to www.costamesaca.gov/teens.