This week on Tuesday, the Irvine City Council approved a plan to build 15,000 housing units near John Wayne Airport in response to the increasing demand for housing construction in California. The Orange County Airport Land Use Commission has expressed concerns about this decision.
According to the regulations set by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Irvine has until February 2025 to submit its housing construction plan for this cycle. Failure to update the 2021-2029 housing construction plan could lead to significant fines and permit cancellations by the state government.
Governor Newsom announced in early October that Norwalk would no longer be eligible for state funding for housing and homeless solutions because the city had implemented a 12-month ban on constructing emergency shelters, single-room occupancy housing, supportive housing, and transitional housing. Local residents opposed the construction of large homeless shelters near residences, schools, and public areas.
Last year, California also filed lawsuits against Elk Grove and Huntington Beach for halting housing projects without considering the homeless crisis and the housing needs of low-income individuals, a violation of the Fair Housing Laws of California.
California has allocated billions of dollars to address the homeless issue, urging cities to prioritize the construction of more affordable housing units. However, existing city plans may not have adequately considered the infrastructure needs for water, electricity, transportation, schools, and commercial facilities.
As early as June this year, the Orange County Airport Committee submitted objections, stating that the new plan did not align with the land use plans in the vicinity of the airport and that building houses in that area raised concerns about noise and safety issues.
Matthew Friedman, a senior aviation planner at the California Department of Transportation, wrote to the Irvine City Council in September, highlighting concerns about environmental justice principles not being adequately addressed when introducing low to very low-income housing in the new residential areas. These communities are often more vulnerable to adverse environmental conditions, including noise and safety risks associated with being close to an airport.
In a satisfaction survey by J.D. Power last month, John Wayne Airport ranked first in the 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Index, particularly praised for its travel convenience, arrival experience, and trustworthiness.
Some residents have pointed out that there are already numerous buildings near the airport.
During the City Council meeting in August, Irvine overturned the Airport Committee’s decision and approved the construction of more housing around the airport. Furthermore, Irvine’s comprehensive plan includes the construction of 57,000 housing units around the Spectrum Center and Great Park.
In the upcoming November elections, Irvine will redefine its electoral districts, transitioning from one mayor and four council members to one mayor and six council members. Once the district lines are officially changed, the City Council may vote again on the housing construction plan.