City Council Debates OCPA & District Elections … Again
It was déjà vu all over again at the Irvine City Council meeting on March 14th as two contentious...
Read More
Author: Roger Bloom
The City of Irvine to Acquire the All American Asphalt Plant and Incorporate the Site Into a 700-Acre “Gateway Preserve”
The City of Irvine is finalizing an historic land deal to acquire and shut down the All American Asphalt plant in north Irvine — incorporating the site into a 700-acre Gateway Preserve that will provide access to the 20,000-acre north Irvine Open Space Preserve.
The asphalt plant has been the source of swirling controversy for years as its noxious odors and toxic emissions have affected thousands of residents throughout north Irvine.
During the February 28th City Council meeting, City Manager Oliver Chi — followed by Councilmembers Larry Agran and Mike Carroll — announced that the asphalt plant will be shut down later this year. Chi stated that the land transaction agreements are expected to go to the City Council at the end of March for final approval, followed by a five-month escrow period. (Agran and Carroll, both lawyers, helped guide the complex negotiations.)
Councilmember Agran said, “I am pleased that my Council colleagues finally heard the voices of the community and stepped up to protect Irvine citizens.”
Read More
Irvine City Council to Consider Options for Reducing the City’s Skyrocketing Electricity Costs
Most people don’t give it much thought, but the City of Irvine itself is a huge electricity...
Read More
Special City Council Meeting Scheduled for February 21st
If they build it, people will come — but how many?
That is the question the Irvine City Council hopes to answer at a special meeting on Tuesday (February 21st), as they discuss — and perhaps decide — whether to continue negotiations for a massive 14,000-seat outdoor amphitheater in the Great Park, or pursue a smaller, more manageable venue of 6,000-8,000 seats.
The issue pits Live Nation Entertainment — the multi-billion-dollar corporation lined up to be the operator of a 14,000-seat venue about the size of the Hollywood Bowl — against Irvine residents and Councilmember Larry Agran who have stated their preference for a smaller venue about the size of Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre.
During the last Council meeting, a large contingent of Live Nation management and employees, construction union officials, music industry workers, and out-of-town music fans turned out to support the 14,000-seat outdoor venue, while a bevy of Irvine residents spoke in favor of the smaller alternative. The residents cited noise and traffic concerns, with those from many areas of the City saying they are disturbed by concerts at the current temporary amphitheater operated by Live Nation.
Council Moves Forward with the Veterans Memorial Park and Climate Action, but Postpones Votes on 3 Critical Matters
The Irvine City Council put off discussions and decisions on its three heftiest agenda items during its February 14th meeting, but still managed to approve measures to finally begin clearing derelict buildings and structures from the Great Park “ARDA” site that will be home to the Veterans Memorial Park.
After four hours of public comments regarding the contentious amphitheater, district elections and the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), Councilmember Mike Carroll requested that votes on the amphitheater and district elections be postponed until the next regular Council meeting, which is scheduled for February 28th. The OCPA matter was also postponed.
While the Councilmembers decided to postpone a vote on the amphitheater, they did take action on the City’s long-delayed Climate Action Plan and unanimously approved a demolition plan for the long-promised Veterans Memorial Park & Gardens.
advertisement
