Looks like Irvine is doomed. Lots of affordable housing on the way. There goes the neighborhood!
From the <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/housing-scag-irvine-2608850-court-city">OC Register</a>
IRVINE ? The California Supreme Court has turned down Irvine's appeal of a mandate to build more than 35,000 new housing units by 2014, exhausting the city's legal options in fighting a requirement that local leaders say is both unfair and essentially impossible.
The court decision ends a more than two-year legal battle between the city and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) over a requirement that 35,660 new housing units - including around 21,000 that must be deemed affordable ? be constructed in Irvine in the next five years.
Irvine leaders are now left to carry out a decree they have previously described as "unreasonable, inequitable and unfeasible."
SCAG was tasked with carrying out a state-mandated regional housing need assessment meant to ensure that a fair share of housing is available as the population grows.
Local leaders contend that SCAG has thrust more than 40 percent of the county's housing requirements on Irvine's doorstep, despite the city making up only 6 percent of the county's population and 8 percent of its land area. More than 20 other communities have backed Irvine in their legal battle against SCAG, including Cypress, Laguna Beach and Yorba Linda.
"For months we have worked through the system to have our day in court, to ask for an equitable formula for a housing allocation that is deeply flawed," Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang said. "This was a perfect case for the (California) Supreme Court to address on behalf of all communities."
Rather than rule on the housing mandate itself, the courts have essentially decided that they have no jurisdiction over SCAG. Fourth District Court of Appeal Justice William Rylaarsdam earlier this year wrote that SCAG is not only the "executive decision-maker for housing allocations," but also the "final judge, jury and appellate tribunal."
SCAG leaders were pleased with the court decision, saying it aids the state?s goal of providing housing for all income levels.
?While we recognize that the result is difficult for Irvine, this litigation has also been difficult for SCAG,? SCAG President Jon Edney wrote in an e-mailed response. ?AS SCAG undertakes the next regional housing needs assessment, we intend to continue to work collaboratively with all our jurisdictions, including Irvine.?
Irvine leaders argue that they already have aggressive affordable housing goals. The city currently has just under 4,000 affordable housing units, but expects that number to increase to about 10,000 units by the communities projected build-out in 2025.
SCAG officials warned that not adopting the proposed housing numbers could leave Irvine ineligible for some funding opportunities. Ignoring the mandate could also leave the city open for a lawsuit by housing advocates or state agencies.
From the <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/housing-scag-irvine-2608850-court-city">OC Register</a>
IRVINE ? The California Supreme Court has turned down Irvine's appeal of a mandate to build more than 35,000 new housing units by 2014, exhausting the city's legal options in fighting a requirement that local leaders say is both unfair and essentially impossible.
The court decision ends a more than two-year legal battle between the city and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) over a requirement that 35,660 new housing units - including around 21,000 that must be deemed affordable ? be constructed in Irvine in the next five years.
Irvine leaders are now left to carry out a decree they have previously described as "unreasonable, inequitable and unfeasible."
SCAG was tasked with carrying out a state-mandated regional housing need assessment meant to ensure that a fair share of housing is available as the population grows.
Local leaders contend that SCAG has thrust more than 40 percent of the county's housing requirements on Irvine's doorstep, despite the city making up only 6 percent of the county's population and 8 percent of its land area. More than 20 other communities have backed Irvine in their legal battle against SCAG, including Cypress, Laguna Beach and Yorba Linda.
"For months we have worked through the system to have our day in court, to ask for an equitable formula for a housing allocation that is deeply flawed," Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang said. "This was a perfect case for the (California) Supreme Court to address on behalf of all communities."
Rather than rule on the housing mandate itself, the courts have essentially decided that they have no jurisdiction over SCAG. Fourth District Court of Appeal Justice William Rylaarsdam earlier this year wrote that SCAG is not only the "executive decision-maker for housing allocations," but also the "final judge, jury and appellate tribunal."
SCAG leaders were pleased with the court decision, saying it aids the state?s goal of providing housing for all income levels.
?While we recognize that the result is difficult for Irvine, this litigation has also been difficult for SCAG,? SCAG President Jon Edney wrote in an e-mailed response. ?AS SCAG undertakes the next regional housing needs assessment, we intend to continue to work collaboratively with all our jurisdictions, including Irvine.?
Irvine leaders argue that they already have aggressive affordable housing goals. The city currently has just under 4,000 affordable housing units, but expects that number to increase to about 10,000 units by the communities projected build-out in 2025.
SCAG officials warned that not adopting the proposed housing numbers could leave Irvine ineligible for some funding opportunities. Ignoring the mandate could also leave the city open for a lawsuit by housing advocates or state agencies.
