Remembering Donn Hall

In remembering Donn Hall, one theme rings loud and clear--local boy makes good.

A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he decided to settle in Costa Mesa where he started up and maintained his own electronics business for years. Donn eventually gravitated toward community service. His initial entry came with membership in the Ocean View Park Homeowners Association: He attended city council meetings on its behalf. Later, he entered Costa Mesa affairs on a city-wide scale as the chair of CHART: COSTA MESA, an organization that studied and analyzed city projects and issues with the purpose of passing on recommendations to the City Council for action. Perhaps the most lasting legacy of his leadership there was laying out pathways for the bicycle lands that lace through the city. As a result of that activity, he was appointed to the Costa Mesa Planning Commission. His contributions to city planning laid the groundwork for his appointment to the City Council upon the death of Councilwoman Mary Smallwood.

He served on the City Council for ten years, four of them as mayor. Though at times highly controversial, his strong position on city development led to higher density land use. He considered the rezoning of C.J. Segerstrom and Company land for the construction of what was then Crystal Court as a major achievement. He believed that such development would add to a sounder financial base for civic affairs, especially with the sales tax income from such an addition as Crystal Court.

After leaving the Council he participated in a variety of community activities, including the Costa Mesa Civic Association, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce Land Industrial and Housing Task Force Committees, the Costa Mesa Redevelopment Agency, the Orange County Mental Health Advisory Board, and the Orange County Transportation Advisory Committee.

Another important service occurred in 2000 when he played an important role in the successful passage of Measure A, a bond issue to improve the Newport-Mesa Unified School District facilities. Never having supported a public bond issue in public affairs previously, his backing this measure proved the grave need for the funds and convinced many fiscally conservative citizens to vote “yes”.

His concern for neighborhoods was reflected in his membership in the so-called “Feeny Five”. That organization had as its goal the reduction of North Costa Mesa crime and local beautification. For example, one of their accomplishments was painting the fence around Paularino School in 2002.

Further reflecting his broad interests was his role as Chair of the Orange County Air Force Association for many years. Finally, for the past four years Donn served on the Costa Mesa Planning Commission, serving as chair in his last year of tenure there. Donn Hall will truly be missed by the citizens of Costa Mesa.