IRVINE : Council to Hear Developer’s Appeal

A Newport Beach developer will try to revive plans to build a condominium complex in the Irvine Business Complex.

Newport Pacific Development Corp. will ask the City Council on Tuesday to allow 138 condominiums at the corner of Kelvin and Derian avenues. The three-acre site is next door to a 403-unit apartment building but in an area otherwise occupied by industrial and manufacturing businesses.

Last month, the Planning Commission split 2-2 on whether the condominiums should be built near industries that use hazardous chemicals. The split vote resulted in Newport Pacific’s request being denied and prompted the company to appeal to the council.

Al Marshall, president of the development company, said the condominiums’ proximity to these businesses should not be an issue. He said the key question that city officials must resolve is whether to allow condominiums or apartment units. The land already has the necessary permits to allow construction of 138 apartments, he said.

The Irvine Business Complex--a huge section of Irvine that stretches from John Wayne Airport to the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station--long has been the center of debate among planners. The business complex was once considered a prime location for an “urban village.” Supporters envisioned a cluster of high-rise office buildings located near high-density housing with enough commercial services to serve workers by day and residents by night.

Although this concept fizzled in 1990 with the election of new council members, the land slated for the Newport Pacific project is zoned for homes.