The Council approved (4-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Shea opposed) another 1,056 market rate homes for FivePoint based on a request they made to the City back in April of 2018. FivePoint recognized a policy “interpretation loophole” in the General Plan and acted upon it. This policy language was cleaned up by the Council after granting FivePoint this approval (see the last bullet).

To date, 3,200 families live in GP neighborhoods. There will be a total of 10,556 homes built. City staff reported that the infrastructure capacity and environmental impact would not be negatively impacted.

Councilmember Khan asked FivePoint Representative, Patrick Strader, to make the homes affordable (in the $500k range) and to set aside some of the new homes for Irvine city staff, Irvine police officers, and Irvine teachers so they can work where they live. She stated she will be reviewing future development projects in the GP neighborhoods to make sure her request is met.

Public Comments:

“Before approving this whopping benefit to the developer, postpone this item until
the developer’s involvement in the golf course site construction and land transfer is decided.
Delay this decision until you have the decision on the location of the veterans cemetery at the Great Park.”

“They [the Commissions] felt they had no other option but to approve this proposal. But you as city council members, this is where it can stop. You do not have to approve [this] retroactive amendment.”