Meeting to discuss Banning Ranch is Thursday

An advocacy group working to fight development at Banning Ranch is hosting a community meeting Thursday in Costa Mesa.

The Banning Ranch Conservancy plans to update the public on its efforts, according to a news release. Endangered species like the California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren live in the roughly 400-acre site, according to the conservancy.

The land, located east of the Santa Ana River and north of West Coast Highway, is currently serving as an oil field. A proposal awaiting California Coastal Commission approval would turn it into a mix of open, park, residential and commercial space, with consolidated oil field use.

The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Victoria Room at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall