[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506358,"mediaKeyId","5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137","parentId",5746376,"title","Irvine council approves option to buy 2-acre county parcel to smooth Gateway Village layout for $9.3 million credit","audioSeconds",431,"startMs",5398000,"endMs",5829000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137&start=5398&end=5829","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137/thumbnail_5398000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506358/Irvine/Orange-County/California/Irvine-council-approves-option-to-buy-2-acre-county-parcel-to-smooth-Gateway-Village-layout-for-93-million-credit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506358-b248c9e26ea09e7d3b905cf30f241abb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173711&Signature=NhW1GBVZfQ-X1HqO-Uaiy8vDdnJEiwgM1jfQRJlcsbpxtuRU0wwUOVzrPPytuNHLF89TjksjzO7H6H8cQCKq1tqYLBeOyKohrLGsQ-9baMCQUyiWxixObvi-lEjpfMnj1qDrc2wb1fK-JgsigvYelTwiGQHJ13E5snnsBukoEa7KahsjGNUSfXSdcPCPywECAiOXHWcbqHuwXxLmelzwBmE0I0cvWAA-V~io~eTZvz5CUNKJX2C0yRzjsacU8CeCdFqYwhWubKZ2rm6bbPpTUjCpOj0yiTGFb~rTLtrfaqbpp-8pyH0p3FuqF7rqO6LrLGCJxImi8j1KKk9ho0EUyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Irvine, CA","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Irvine City Council authorized a city option to purchase roughly 2 acres of County of Orange land adjacent to the Gateway Village and approved an addendum that will let the county take a $9.3 million credit against infrastructure fees it owes the city.

Council action: The council authorized the city manager to execute an option-to-purchase agreement and an addendum to Implementation Agreement No. 2 that memorializes a $9,300,000 credit to the county against Marine Way construction fees. The action was approved unanimously.

Why the city moved: Staff said the 2-acre county “notch” along the eastern edge of the Gateway Village creates an irregular property line that complicates neighborhood-level planning, street layout and amenities. Bringing the parcel into the city project would allow a more efficient neighborhood plan and smoother transition between the Gateway Village and the proposed Gateway Preserve.

How it will be paid for: City staff said the county will accept a $9.3 million credit against payments it owes the city for Marine Way construction, rather than a direct cash payment. No additional city cash appropriation was authorized at the meeting; the transaction instead uses a credit arrangement documented in the addendum.

Background and schedule: City staff summarized progress on the larger Gateway program: closure and remediation of the All American Asphalt site, development of a preserve management plan, a recently published draft EIR for the Gateway Village, and plans for grading and site work to begin in 2026 with model homes opening in late 2027. If the option is exercised after entitlements are achieved, the city would proceed with annexation steps with the county.

Speakers and attribution: Assistant City Manager Pete Carmichael and Deputy City Manager Lilliana Bogdanovich presented the item. No public comments were filed on the item at the time of the vote.

Ending: The option is intended to remove a planning constraint on the Gateway Village layout; staff said it would return with annexation documents and implementing approvals as site entitlements are completed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING\tSep 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council authorized an option and an addendum that will let the city acquire about 2 acres of county land adjacent to the Gateway Village for $9.3 million, to be taken as a credit against infrastructure fees the county owes the city.","taxTitle","Irvine , Orange County, California","taxId",2924,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506363,"Irvine council approves general plan amendment, zoning change and development agreement for 2,500-unit University Research Park project",3267,1816000,5083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137&start=1816&end=5083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137/thumbnail_1816000.jpg","/articles/6506363/Irvine/Orange-County/California/Irvine-council-approves-general-plan-amendment-zoning-change-and-development-agreement-for-2500-unit-University-Research-Park-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506363-a9ea92273d2fbd0b5b8611699c4eb3d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173711&Signature=I53Kqb2kg4l2RlrhV2C-u0jvvJuqPJMkbdYItBBtUVmMwOziJ~rLY7YeRqN~DrFtJjd6dCE14022Bbxa9ZVS3v3rrM-nXL7657qBIkVi1T4iwMLVggy0IzCi~7gVHFkMhFx5wsSP57P2-2HIL7Zu7VquJvR4MnJlwtXCRLj1LxmmC2igpL0kB0CBaKt468H3RcV8-U9mbmRMOP2UCSqOnwZkzd4mvUPPMdedR7oFXRYOl7e3fpwpKWQ~g8TC-dUfUmQyNKZPeJLkQzzdQKJA2MTKqvaf4FxOEBQqwU9tTDu9bNOy3MfTfhBEgQVq~lMyHFssXnTh2xCX13aCq8o9Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Irvine City Council voted 7-0 to approve a general plan amendment, a zone change and a development agreement to allow up to 2,500 dwelling units in Planning Area 25 (University Research Park), a change that would add housing to a previously research-industrial area near the University of California, Irvine.

The action: At a public hearing, the council adopted a resolution approving the general plan amendment and read ordinances for the zone change and development agreement introduced for first reading. The council vote carried unanimously.

What the changes do: The amendment redesignates about 131 acres from research-industrial to “multi use,” rezones the area to a new 3.11 multi-use district and establishes a 2,500-unit cap for the planning area. The development agreement includes 416 affordable housing units to be maintained for 75 years (206 of those in phase 1), a per-unit public benefit fee of at least $14,725 directed to parks, trails and affordable housing, and 50 vouchers for an Irvine-based transitional housing program. The approved phase 1 master plan calls for 1,233 apartment units in wrap and podium buildings and includes a density-bonus regulatory agreement and tract map.

What staff and the planning commission found: City staff prepared an EIR addendum to the General Plan program EIR and concluded the proposal would not create new significant environmental impacts beyond those analyzed in the general plan document. The planning commission recommended approval in May 2025.

Public comments and issues raised: During public comment, Jeff Davis, representing the Irvine Company, said the units are part of inventory already assigned to the city’s housing element and emphasized potential transit connections with UCI’s Anteater Express and OCTA; he said the project’s public-benefit fee could support transit and other improvements. Frankie Rodriguez of the Carpenters’ union urged local-hire, prevailing-wage and apprenticeship requirements for construction to reduce environmental impacts and boost local jobs. Other callers raised concerns about traffic and the adequacy of transit access; a resident asked the city to require stronger anteater/Irvine Connect links to reduce reliance on private cars.

Next steps: The zone change and development agreement were introduced for first reading; additional implementing entitlements (master plans, tract maps, park plans) and final ordinance readings will follow the required public-notice and referral process. The project’s transportation analysis and implementation of transit connections will be analyzed as part of the environmental and subdivision review process.

Speakers and attribution: Reporting draws on remarks from Eric Martin (senior planner, Community Development), Jeff Davis (Irvine Company), and Frankie Rodriguez (Western States Regional Council of Carpenters), drawn from the meeting transcript.

Ending: The approvals frame a large-scale conversion of research-industry land near UCI into residential uses, with the council adopting affordability and public-benefit requirements and directing further environmental and subdivision review before building permits are issued.","The City Council approved a general plan amendment, a rezoning and a development agreement to allow up to 2,500 residential units in Planning Area 25 (University Research Park), including affordable housing requirements and per-unit public benefit fees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506367,"Pretend City leaders and local donors ask Irvine for loan guarantee to build Great Park museum",184,964000,1148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137&start=964&end=1148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137/thumbnail_964000.jpg","/articles/6506367/Irvine/Orange-County/California/Pretend-City-leaders-and-local-donors-ask-Irvine-for-loan-guarantee-to-build-Great-Park-museum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506367-01be15b93520be25a54d2658edb9c7b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173711&Signature=WEz3R07ko-BpqvhTG3P9Hhwg1YIBl9GQjFCQS8mZNlBSu0B3DHVDrorCKvu02uphEmYIjzTHODDBIEPUf6F8fOILD981YztLbMfqDDad5Xk8wAXMjTB~PywdC55QJkJTR7jXkF6Qe6Fomoi2BAtrCGfh5qKCuR08JUeEsNOuOV-pX4JLMYmPjVgb-p6GocWyJhx-CJBsYcC8n-IYfSnifUT87-is~IHdB-vr1pR-G399vT-9Co8a~BujVEtriB5zg5C0XlzV099RjOY27do9nxiv8BikaZxtOvJm-28TmtJ7Y-QaNESRYhhCNEaJj0D3F2oZjvI2nsfy3JLCm1oo3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leaders and supporters of Pretend City Children's Museum appeared at Irvine's September 9 meetings to ask the city to guarantee a portion of private construction financing so the museum can begin building its planned Great Park campus.

Why it matters: Pretend City says it already has substantial private funding and operating reserves but needs a partial municipal guarantee to satisfy its lender and start construction. Council did not act during the meeting; the topic was presented during the public-comment period and will require separate staff work and any formal council consideration.

What speakers said: Ellen Pace, executive director of Pretend City, told the council the museum has “plans ready to construct” and has negotiated financing with Farmers & Merchants Bank; she described the city loan and guarantee as a way to compensate Pretend City for prior unusable plans and to offset delays. Pace said the organization expects to open in 2027 and listed partners and sponsors including the Sam Welly Foundation, PBS SoCal, Rady Children’s Health, Discount Tire, and the UCI School of Nursing. Board members and campaign leaders described balance-sheet items: a campaign co-chair said the capital campaign includes $10 million in letters of credit from private donors, and Pretend City representatives said they have about $1,000,000 in operating reserves and pre-purchased materials.

Douglas Freeman, chief executive of OC Music & Dance and a speaker on behalf of related campus supporters, told the council his group has “$38,000,000 of cash, building pledges, and bonds to build our new campus within the budget and on time” but that lenders require guarantees to avoid foreclosure risk. Bill Lyon said he and other local philanthropists will provide letters of credit and that donors can be called upon only after the city’s guarantee helps unlock construction financing.

Numbers and clarifications from speakers: Presenters cited several financial figures during public comment: a $15,000,000 city guarantee was mentioned as the request factored into fundraising; campaign leaders referred to $38,000,000 in cash/pledges/bonds for the campus, $10,000,000 in private letters of credit pledged by donors, $1,000,000 in operating reserves, and a longer-term $4,000,000 maintenance fund connected to a First 5 grant payback. Speakers said Pretend City expects to repay the loan and release the guarantee within 7–10 years after opening.

Council response and next steps: Council did not take action on the guarantee during the meeting; the museum’s request was made during public comment. City staff would need to analyze the request, including credit terms, risk exposure to the city, and legal requirements for guarantees, before any future council action. The presenters asked for a city guarantee to allow lenders to issue construction financing and to begin site work.

Speakers and attribution: Quotes and numbers are attributed to Ellen Pace (executive director, Pretend City), Douglas Freeman (OC Music & Dance), Adena Stowell (Pretend City board secretary), Erin Boyle (Pretend City acting chair), and Bill Lyon (capital campaign co-chair), all recorded in the meeting transcript.

Ending: Pretend City leaders said they are financially committed and are seeking a municipal guarantee as a lever to begin construction; any city involvement will require staff analysis and a future council decision.","Pretend City Children's Museum leaders and major supporters asked the Irvine City Council during public comment for a city guarantee on a private construction loan to allow construction of a permanent Great Park museum; no council action was taken at the meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506371,"Irvine council authorizes amicus brief in federal immigration detention case; filing paused after Supreme Court action",102,1688000,1790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137&start=1688&end=1790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746376-652e6d957d30a92b3bc171b0c3d58137/thumbnail_1688000.jpg","/articles/6506371/Irvine/Orange-County/California/Irvine-council-authorizes-amicus-brief-in-federal-immigration-detention-case-filing-paused-after-Supreme-Court-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506371-2ade52cd29c3b880f05a7eca8a5b568a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173711&Signature=VIK8I0J6EkP7jAeT5wVGrXDqrpDPmZAhDfkGzCn3MuzVhzsP8QFBCqpKrVBNwuBTmZHJAcM-Vx~liwF8~31xNrRkVeYdOgiB2S1muvVDLYz~AiVzblcQdLJV9x~iQigHA8MnXm6c7GTeGyFXhfpNH68orEES~gKNOg-6lYRIxMiD4vYbSj7j8kYPQfTnMWwUZ~tc2hlcAPrlLBbCPlQpwQTK647pvUasAjV7tJDseE~9-3LgDkA94k8eQb~lhcwR1Ixk13YF8s4vNY1Bo5SnRAIbhPlrs5kBg8D7-0NnvXw5SCoxr46Ev6~wu44X-YIDoS5VTMXohxR5C~CX1bn9MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Irvine City Council voted to authorize filing an amicus brief supporting plaintiffs challenging warrantless immigration detentions, but the city attorney told the council the actual filing is paused after a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The council authorized the amicus brief 5-2 during a special meeting, City Attorney Jeff Melching said. Melching told the council that the plaintiffs' preliminary-injunction briefing in the Ninth Circuit was delayed after the Supreme Court issued a ruling, and the plaintiffs have said they may not file at all. “If they don't file a brief, we can't file a brief,” Melching said. The city said that, if the plaintiffs do file, Irvine will file no later than Sept. 22, 2025.

Why it matters: The brief would have joined a federal appeal over warrantless immigration operations that residents and speakers said are causing fear in immigrant communities in Southern California. Supporters urged the council to act to protect residents, while at least one caller said immigration enforcement is federal policy and the city should not intervene.

What the council heard: During public comment before the closed-session action, longtime Irvine resident Susan Sayer said the detentions are “tearing apart families” and called on the council to participate in the lawsuit. UCI student Davis Garcia described personal connections to people impacted by immigration enforcement and urged the council to “stand for humanity.” A caller identified as Dee Fox, dialing in by phone, told the council that immigration enforcement is federal policy and said the city should not involve itself.

What the city reported: City staff and the city attorney told the council that the subject of Item 1.1 was participation as amicus in Perdomo v. Nome, the Central District action about federal immigration detention practices. Melching summarized the council’s 5-2 authorization to support the plaintiffs’ preliminary-injunction briefing and said the timing for filing is now controlled by events in the federal courts.

Background and next steps: The council's authorization does not itself file the brief; the city attorney said the brief will be filed only if and when the plaintiffs submit their brief to the Ninth Circuit. The city attorney said the plaintiffs' brief—originally due before the Supreme Court action—may be filed by Sept. 22, 2025. If plaintiffs do not file, Irvine will not file an amicus brief, Melching said.

Speakers and attribution: Quotes in this report come from speakers recorded in the meeting transcript: Susan Sayer (Irvine resident), Davis Garcia (UCI student), Dee Fox (telephone commenter), and City Attorney Jeff Melching.

Ending: With the federal litigation and a recent Supreme Court decision affecting the briefing schedule, the council’s support is now contingent on what the plaintiffs do in the appeals court. The council will monitor filings and staff said it will file only if the plaintiffs proceed.","The Irvine City Council voted to support filing an amicus brief backing plaintiffs challenging warrantless immigration detention, but the city will hold submission pending the plaintiffs' filing following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Irvine council approves option to buy 2-acre county parcel to smooth Gateway Village layout for $9.3 million credit

Irvine council approves general plan amendment, zoning change and development agreement for 2,500-unit University Research Park project

Pretend City leaders and local donors ask Irvine for loan guarantee to build Great Park museum

Irvine council authorizes amicus brief in federal immigration detention case; filing paused after Supreme Court action