News Summary
The Irvine City Planning Commission has approved a zoning change that facilitates the construction of up to 2,500 new housing units near the University of California, Irvine. The project will unfold in phases, starting with 1,233 units and providing affordable housing options. Additional plans include a 235-acre neighborhood at Oak Creek Golf Course. The initiative aims to address the city’s growing housing needs as it works towards state-mandated housing goals.
Irvine City Planning Commission Approves New Housing Development
The Irvine City Planning Commission has approved a zoning change that allows the Irvine Company to construct up to 2,500 new housing units near the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The decision shifts the area, which was primarily designated for office use, to a residential development zone, leveraging its proximity to key employment hubs, retail centers, and the university.
Details of the Housing Project
The newly planned housing development will unfold in phases, with the first phase introducing 1,233 housing units, while the second phase could add an additional 1,267 units at the University Research Park. The project is strategically located, bordered by University Drive to the north, Highway 73 to the west, California Avenue to the east, and adjacent to Bison Avenue to the south.
Among the units included in Phase One, there will be a significant number of affordable housing options, with 206 designated affordable units available for low- to moderate-income households. For the second phase, an additional 210 affordable units are proposed. The distribution of the residential units will consist of 853 one-bedroom apartments, 377 two-bedroom apartments, and 3 studio apartments.
The proposed structures include two six-floor buildings and one seven-level building, along with a centralized recreational area designed for residents. All residential construction will take place on currently vacant land that was formerly marked for medical and scientific research or industrial use, as there has been no prior residential development in this area.
Additional Development Plans
In addition to the UCI-area project, the Irvine Company is also planning a significant 235-acre residential neighborhood at the Oak Creek Golf Course and two adjacent commercial parcels, which will consist of a total of 3,100 housing units. The Oak Creek development will create a new village next to the Innovation Office Park and includes a commitment to establish a school alongside the transfer of over 300 acres of open space to the city for preservation.
The Irvine Company is also offering 1,000 two-year discounts off market rate for their apartment units as part of their initiative. Over the next eight years, the city is projected to receive more than $90 million in community benefit payments from these developments.
Community Impact and Future Goals
The housing initiatives are part of a broader effort to meet state-mandated housing goals, which necessitate approximately 58,000 additional housing units by the year 2045. Mayor Larry Agran emphasized the significance of increasing affordable housing, setting a goal of 10,000 affordable units within the next five years.
A public discussion about these housing plans is scheduled for May 13. If the project passes through any further necessary approvals, initial occupancy is expected within 24 to 36 months.
Conclusion
This zoning approval marks a significant step toward addressing the urgent housing needs in Irvine and reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to urban development that accommodates both economic growth and community needs.
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Additional Resources
- OC Business Journal: Irvine Co Proposes 2,500 Homes Near UCI
- Google Search: Irvine housing development
- OC Register: Irvine Council Open to Review of 3,100 Homes
- Wikipedia: Urban development
- Bisnow: Irvine Co Wants to Replace Irvine Golf Course with 1,500 New Homes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing development
- OC Business Journal: Irvine Firm Turning Restaurant Site into Luxury Homes
- Google News: Irvine Company housing plans
