IRVINE
Anxious to relieve the city’s housing crisis--and to derail the county’s plans for an El Toro airport--city officials have earmarked $120,000 to move forward with plans to add housing to the Irvine Spectrum.
“I think this is such an advantageous proposal all the way around,” Councilman Larry Agran said. “Transforming the Spectrum into what will likely become a 24-hour-a-day, all-purpose community.”
Last week, council members voted to spend $120,000 to complete the General Plan amendment, zone change and environmental impact report needed to add housing to the Spectrum.
City planners have proposed 2,500 units for three planning areas in the Spectrum.
Noise and crash hazards related to military aircraft operating out of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station had restricted housing in the areas.
Now that the base has closed, the City Council has jumped at the chance to transform the adjacent Spectrum area into a mix of homes, business and entertainment similar to other Irvine business centers.
City officials said the new homes also would give them more ammunition in their fight against an international airport.
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