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Community outreach is an integral part of the planning process. Prior to and following the announcement of the land donation in November 2001, Irvine Company representatives gathered ideas about the company owned land in the East Orange planning area in an effort to identify key issues of concern, determine priorities, and discuss potential opportunities.

Officials have been meeting with community groups, local civic leaders and city staff to discuss and receive input on the plan and its timeline. "Public participation is built into the planning and approval process," says Robin Leftwich, Senior Director of Community Affairs for The Irvine Company. "Working together, we think we have created a sensitive plan that complements and adds value to the area. Public participation is encouraged and will continue throughout the planning process."

A speakers bureau has been established and is available to make presentations about the new community planned for east of Orange. If you would like to schedule a presentation, please call our hotline at (949) 720-2666.

In addition, this Web site has been created to inform the community of the plan as the process moves forward and allow people the opportunity to ask questions of our planners. Interested participants are encouraged to sign-up on our mailing list to receive regular project updates and meeting notifications.

The company’s new plan reduces the overall number of homes contemplated in the approved 1989 East Orange General Plan by 68 percent from 12,350 to fewer than 4,000, and increasing the amount of open space by nearly 57 percent.

During the first phase of the community outreach process, community members identified several issues regarding the Santiago Hills Phase II development and the remaining planning area east of Orange. The main issues addressed include transportation and circulation; open space and recreation; schools; and water quality.