As Irvine’s economy continues to grow and world class hospitals expand here, the City of Irvine and Irvine Company are proposing to work together to guide the master planning of new communities within walking distance to job centers.  On average, each community would be about a 5-minute walk to job hubs. 

Locations include vacant sites within the Irvine Spectrum District and one building at The Market Place. The agreement is responsive to state mandates to create more housing and consistent with city approved housing plans.

Core components of this agreement include:

Meet Irvine’s affordable housing goals

• The Company has committed to meeting the City’s goal of reserving at least 20% of new communities for families and residents earning between $40,000 and $120,000. This commitment exceeds the City’s current 15% requirement. 
• A 4.6-acre site will be dedicated to provide additional affordable housing opportunities.

Locate homes near Irvine’s thriving job and economic centers

• The new communities are planned in Irvine’s job centers to meet the needs of employees and local businesses.  
• On average, each community would be about a 5-minute walk to job hubs.
• Locations include vacant sites within the Irvine Spectrum District and one building at The Market Place.
• By locating homes near jobs, the plan preserves established village character and avoids open spaces.

Fund community priorities

• The Company has committed to provide upwards of $60 million to fund  community priorities as determined by the city that could include mobility improvements, senior care and housing, wellness and other priorities. 

Create new levels of sustainability 

• The future communities will be the most sustainable in Irvine.
  • Walkability to jobs will reduce dependence on cars
  • All buildings will include solar panels as a source of renewable energy
  • Buildings will be predominantly electric, including HVAC and appliances
  • 40% of all parking stalls will be EV-capable or better
• Overall, onsite measures will reduce building related fossil-fuel use by 80%. 

Uphold local control, city plans and public processes 

• The agreement does not approve any projects; it establishes high standards of quality to ensure future communities meet the needs of Irvine residents.
• It ensures future plans will go through the city’s public review process.
• And it is also responsive to state mandates to create more housing and consistent with city approved housing plans.

“Few cities have the ability to master plan new communities next to Fortune 500 companies, innovative tech startups and world-class hospitals. This framework agreement reflects that unique opportunity to meet the needs of Irvine’s workforce, businesses and residents.”

irvine company