Development Plan Revised

A new development proposal for East Orange aims to increase open space and the number of proposed homes while reducing commercial space by 87%.

The Irvine Co.’s East Orange General Plan would be a departure from the original plan approved by the city in 1989.

The 518-acre proposal, named Santiago Hills Phase II, calls for 1,886 homes between Jamboree Road and the Eastern Transportation Corridor, two neighborhood parks and one community park, a kindergarten-through-sixth-grade school and 220,000 square feet of business space.

The residential areas would consist of single-family detached homes, apartments and condominiums.

Compared to the original plan, open space has been increased from 56 acres to 149 acres and the area’s prominent hilltop will be preserved.

Irvine Co. spokesman Rich Elbaum said changes were made to the proposed plan due to commercial growth in other areas of the city, such as construction of the Block and the Uptown Orange Concept, a proposed urban village in West Orange.

“We are also very pleased that with the new plans we submitted, we have been able to more than triple the amount of open space,” Elbaum said. “The other element that is important to note is it is expected to generate one-third the amount of traffic compared to the previous plan.”

The Irvine Co. is requesting zoning approvals to fit the new plan, which will involve the creation of a supplemental environmental impact report and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council this fall.

Mayor Joanne Coontz said that although she has not yet thoroughly reviewed the preliminary plan, she was pleased to see some significant changes, including allowing more open space, providing a school and deleting the extension of Canyon View Avenue and Fort Road into the new community.

“We are pleased that they have greatly reduced the intensity of development,” Coontz said.

Marissa Espino can be reached at (714) 966-5879.