Debating the Soundness and Merits of Irvine’s Development and Planning

Irvine faces a critical juncture in its young history this November. At stake is the wisdom and consequences of a proposed Irvine Co. development--Village 38--approved by a City Council ordinance last year. This ordinance was placed on the ballot by a citizen referendum. Irvine voters will have the opportunity to reject the Village 38 development by voting No on Measure B in November.

Also at stake is whether the city will approve plans for another Irvine Co. development--Northwood 5--which has been linked to the vote on Village 38 by at least two council members. Combined, these projects would add about 7,000 new housing units to Irvine’s housing stock.

Also at stake is the issue of municipal and citizen autonomy. This is not just an election about two developments; it’s about whether Irvine is finally mature enough to leave its mother, the Irvine Co., and take control of its own destiny. It is also about whether the residents of Irvine are members of the “Master Plan,” or whether they are its obedient supplicants. The political and economic stakes in Irvine are very high indeed.

If ever there was a time for public debate on an issue, this is it. As members of the organization responsible for subjecting the City Council’s Village 38 ordinance to a referendum, we have formally and publicly invited Mayor Sally Anne Sheridan and any other member of the Irvine City Council to appear with us on the local cable channel to debate the wisdom and consequences of Measure B.

Why debate? Free and open debate is the essential prerequisite for public decision-making in a democracy. We urge the mayor to accept our invitation to assure the residents of Irvine at the earliest possible moment that there will be a public, face-to-face debate about Village 38 by the principals involved.

MARK P. PETRACCA

CHRISTOPHER B. MEARS

Irvine