In a bid to reimagine a long-underutilized property in Costa Mesa, Arizona-based Meritage Homes has submitted a development proposal for a 142-unit ownership residential community at 3150 Bear St. The plan—currently under review by the Costa Mesa Planning Commission—includes a full suite of applications ranging from a General Plan Amendment and Rezone to a Design Review and Density Bonus, signaling a major shift for the 6.12-acre site that once housed the international headquarters of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
City records reveal that the proposal calls for the demolition of the existing office and event center complex to make way for a new residential common interest development. If approved, the project would introduce a mix of 20 two-story detached single-family homes and 122 townhomes arranged across eight four-story buildings. Designed with a blend of craftsman and farmhouse architectural elements, the development emphasizes homeownership and walkable community living. The new neighborhood design also incorporates 93,500 square feet of on-site open space, including common recreation areas, passive landscaping zones and private balconies. An additional 13,278 square feet of landscaped passive open space is proposed within the adjacent public right-of-way, to be maintained by the homeowners association under an existing agreement.
Of the 142 homes, seven will be designated as very low-income units in exchange for a 20 percent density bonus—allowing Meritage to exceed base zoning limits by adding 20 extra units. This inclusion aligns with broader statewide initiatives to increase affordable housing stock while promoting infill development on previously commercial land. According to planning documents, the site—currently zoned for General Commercial use—would need to undergo a land use redesignation to High Density Residential. The planning application includes a Mitigated Negative Declaration, aligning with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, as well as a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program to address environmental impacts associated with the site’s redevelopment.
Renderings and design documents reveal a community with architectural detailing that complements the neighborhood’s character, including traditional stucco and stone finishes, wood-style siding and tiled roofs. Each detached home will feature a private backyard and an attached two-car garage, while the townhome units will include private balconies and access to shared green spaces. Based on planning documents, the location offers immediate proximity to major arterial roads, nearby retail amenities and public transportation routes. Though the property has served various roles since TBN ceased operations in 2017, including as an event venue and office space, city planners see the transition to residential as part of a larger trend of adapting underutilized commercial parcels for housing.
Meritage Homes is one of the largest public homebuilders in the United States, known for delivering innovative, energy-efficient homes tailored to modern living. Based on its website, the company has built and sold nearly 200,000 homes across the country. It operates in key housing markets nationwide, including California, Texas, Arizona and Florida.
