IRVINE : Mediation Offered in Westpark Dispute

In a move to forestall a referendum, Councilman Bill Vardoulis offered Tuesday to mediate between the Irvine Co. and a slow-growth group that successfully halted the company’s proposed 3,800-home Westpark II project last month.

Vardoulis’ suggestion came during a City Council discussion on whether to call an election to determine if the Irvine Co. should be allowed to build Westpark II just north of the current Westpark.

The council approved the company’s massive plan in December, but the slow-growth group, Irvine Tomorrow, immediately circulated a referendum petition to stop the project. By state law, the successful petition requires the council either to overturn its approval of Westpark II, the first major residential project since the first phase of Westpark in 1985, or place it on the ballot.

Before taking either action, Vardoulis said, the city should try to find a development plan on which both the Irvine Co. and Irvine Tomorrow members agree. The council unanimously agreed to give Vardoulis time to meet before taking action on the referendum.

On Wednesday, officials from the Irvine Co. and Irvine Tomorrow said they would be willing to sit down to discuss the Westpark II plan.

“We’re not convinced it will produce results, but we’re willing to at least sit down and talk about it,” Irvine Co. spokesman C. Michael Stockstill said.

Christopher B. Mears, chairman of Irvine Tomorrow, said his group cannot bargain on behalf of city residents but will gladly discuss the group’s concerns with Vardoulis and the Irvine Co.

“I am very encouraged by Mr. Vardoulis’ conciliatory gestures,” Mears said. “It is very disappointing it has taken so much time and so much effort for the council to adopt a position they should have adopted during the approval process.”

Finding a solution acceptable to both groups is “a long shot,” Vardoulis said, but he added that the city has nothing to lose in trying.