Approval Postponed for Athletic Fields

Fearing the Newport-Mesa Unified School District has changed its mind about leasing to the city some farmland next to Costa Mesa High School, the City Council has postponed approving its plan to build athletic fields on the site.

“I don’t think it is a good idea to put people through the public hearing process if it is not available,” said City Manager Allan L. Roeder. “It is a real emotional issue for a lot of residents and if it is not going to be available for lease, I don’t want to put them through that.”

The council had planned to make a decision on the plan at its meeting Monday. Roeder has postponed the discussion until March 4.

City officials had been negotiating with the school district to convert the 18 acres of farmland next to the high school into a football stadium with a track, soccer fields and basketball courts.

But school district officials said recently that they might have to consider other options, such as selling the land for development, to help meet the district’s financial obligations, Roeder said.

Jim de Boom, school board president, said he believed it would be premature for the school district to enter into a long-term lease until it has finished work on its master plan. The plan, which should be done in March, is being drafted because enrollment is expected to increase by 3,500 students over the next five years.