Planning Commission Approves Two Signs & 285 Residential Units In IBC
Attendance:
Steve Huang
Christine Knowland
Jeff Pierson
Greg Smith
Absent:
Dustin Nirschl
On January 16, 2020, the Planning Commission unanimously approved the following:
Two signs under the Sign Program:
- Electronic Message Center Monument Sign at the Merage Jewish Community Center, located at the end of the cul-de-sac on Federation Way. The sign will be operational between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. to provide community center and school information. Application filed on behalf of Merage Jewish Community Center.
- Freeway-oriented sign at the Jamboree Center located at the I-5 Park Plaza & 17900 Jamboree Road in the Irvine Business Complex. The sign will have a panel measuring 875 square feet with a sign structure measuring 1,500 square feet. It will allow for internal illumination of sign edges. The freeway facing sign will include the center name and up to five tenants and will be located approximately 400 feet from the freeway. Application filed on behalf of Irvine Company Office Properties.
285 unit, seven-story residential development approved in the Irvine Business Complex
Before a crowd of speakers on this item, the Commission approved (4-0) the final phase of building within the Central Park West development. The project site is located at the corner of Jamboree Road and Michelson Drive in the Irvine Business Complex. 285 residential units were approved along with 10,000 square feet of accessory retail. The applicant Lennar has a valid Development Agreement with the City to complete the Central Park West project and to develop the remaining parcels at the busy corner of Jamboree/Michelson. Originally approved in 2004, the plan has been scaled back in size and components. The Commission was told that nothing has triggered the need for a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
A city-owned pedestrian bridge to cross Jamboree Road at Michelson Drive that will connect to Central Park West is planned.
Here are some comments presented by approx. 20 speakers:
- People for Housing and other housing advocacy groups support the project.
- Some concerns raised included:
- The EIR & traffic study findings being outdated
- Terrible traffic conditions in this area, blocked intersections, and public safety issues
- Project egress/ingress routes
- Air pollution
- Views being blocked by the new 7-story building
- Noise pollution
- Addition of accessory retail space contributing to more congestion for the residents of Central Park West
1 Comments
Susan Sayre
January 23, 2020 at 10:42 amDevelopment agreements are often years old like the development agreement for the Central Park West project. Once the agreement is approved, the terms of the agreement cannot be changed. Conditional Land uses can be changed, but since this change reduces the density it does not warrant a new traffic study or EIR. The fact that traffic congestion has increased in the area due to other development projects is not an allowable reason to deny amendments to conditional land use agreements.
Irvine needs to find a way to take cars off Irvine Streets. It is time for the city to study options for creating a good Irvine Circulation Only public transportation system for all Irvine residents, not just the residents that reside in the Spectrum planning areas.
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