City Council Agenda Highlights for July 11th, 2023
City Council Regular Meeting
Proposed District Maps are on the Agenda for this coming Council Meeting, with a Public Hearing requesting input regarding the composition of the Potential City Council Election Districts. The meeting will take place at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, July 11th in the Irvine City Council Chambers.
Here are some highlights of some of the Agenda Items
Agenda Item 1.1 – Scoping Session for a General Plan Amendment for Gateway Preserve Located in Planning Area 6 (Portola Springs)
This proposed General Plan Amendment would revise the Land Use for a portion of the Gateway Preserve located within Portola Springs to support development north of Portola Parkway. The proposed change would revise the land use designation from Recreation to Medium-High Density Residential.
Agenda Item 5.1 – Public Hearing Requesting Input Regarding the Composition of Potential City Council Election Districts.
This hearing will take place at 6 pm. The council will be open to public input regarding proposed City Council Election District Maps. The Agenda item will also provide direction to the demographer and City staff on drafting maps.
There will be a measure put on the March 2024 ballot to expand the City Council from five (5) to seven (7) members and develop a City Council district election map for six (6) Councilmembers. The Mayor will continue to be elected at-large.
The City will hold an additional round of seven (7) workshops following tonight’s hearing.
There were 45 submitted maps, however, not all maps were drawn based on population or demographics in mind.
Note: There was an addendum for Map 145.
Agenda Item 5.2 – General Plan Amendment And Zone Change To Transfer Development Intensity And Implement Zoning Ordinance Text Revisions To Allow Mini-Warehouse Uses In Planning Area 40 (Cypress Village, Irvine Spectrum 8)
Irvine Company filed a zone change application for Cypress Village, to transfer the Zone designated as Multi-Use to the southeastern area. The requested transfer of unused development intensity is intended to support future mini warehouse development on several vacant parcels in the area.
The bond issue being considered here is for Improvement Area No. 10 (Rise Park). The proceeds of the Improvement Area No. 10 Bonds will be divided between the City and Heritage Fields, LLC (Developer). The City’s portion of the bond proceeds will be spent on implementing the Framework Plan. The Developer’s portion of the bond proceeds will be spent on joint backbone infrastructure and on other infrastructure improvements for the Great Park neighborhoods.
Agenda Item 6.2 – Approval Of City Of Irvine Community Facilities District No. 2013-3 (Great Park) Improvement Area No. 10, 2023 Special Tax Bonds, Issuance In An Aggregate Principal Amount Not To Exceed $120 Million
Agenda Item 6.3 – Gateway Preserve Next Steps
This Agenda item is to establish the Gateway Project Fund and approve a budget appropriation for site preparation and environmental review of the Gateway Preserve and Residential Village. It’s also to approve a budget for off-site utility work necessary for the Gateway Residential Village.
Agenda Item 6.4 – Ordinance Amending The Irvine Municipal Code Relating To Bicycles And Establishing Regulations On Electric Bicycles And Other Forms Of Electric Transportation
This ordinance is suggesting the following:
- Update the Municipal Code to include a definition of an e-bike and identify their individual classes
- Update the definition of a highway in order to coincide with the California Vehicle Code
- Preclude e-bike owners from tampering with or modifying their e-bike in order to change the speed capability of the bicycle
- Set a speed limit for e-bikes on the highway (28 mph) and a separate speed limit for all bicyclists and e-bike operators on bike paths and trails in Irvine (20 mph)
- Require all bicycle and e-bike operators to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and vehicles when entering a highway from an alley, driveway, bicycle path, or sidewalk Mandate all bicyclists, e-bike, electric scooter, and electric skateboard operators to travel in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway; regardless of whether or not the operator is on a highway or in a bike lane. This
- section would also apply to all sidewalks less than 8 feet in width or wherever posted signs prohibit traveling in the opposite direction as vehicular traffic
- Require all bicycle and e-bike passengers to have their own separate seat
- Remove all bicycle licensing requirements in order to align with California Assembly Bill (AB) 1909
- Disallow the operation of e-bikes in the Open Space Area (as defined in IMC 3-4-128)
