2020 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

City of Irvine

M AJOR C OMMUNITY E LEMENTS

Residential Uses

With a population of approximately 280,000 residents, the City has a diverse residential base. Many existing homes are in master-planned communities that have been constructed as far back as the 1970s. Most of the new construction occurring in the City meets the latest standards and requirements; however, there are still many neighborhoods like Turtle Rock and Shady Canyon that have older homes or limited transportation routes that increase the risk of hazards like wildfire. Homes in older neighborhoods may require retrofit improvements to reduce some of the risks to the structures, while the City will have to take a more active role in identifying solutions to circulation constraints. In addition, neighborhoods located along stream courses susceptible to flooding (i.e., San Diego Creek) as also areas of concern for the City.

Institutional Uses

Education is a major component of the City’s identi ty. Three major educational institutions are located within the City (UC Irvine, Irvine Valley College, and Concordia University). Combined enrollment for these schools is over 41,000 students, which can greatly increase the City’s daytime population, impact roadways, and community services.

Irvine Spectrum

The Irvine Spectrum is one of the City of Irvine’s two major business centers. It is comprised of 5,000 acres, 38 million square feet of commercial space, and 3,500 companies that employ nearly 80,000 people. The Cit y’s major retail center, the Irvine Spectrum Center, is comprised of 1.2 million square feet and more than 130 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. 11 This location is a major attraction in the City due to its convenient location between I-5 and I-405 and draws a significant amount of visitors and employees from outside the City.

Irvine Business Complex

The Irvine Business Complex is a 2,800-acre area in the western part of the City containing industrial, commercial office, and residential uses. The zoning in this part of the City allows for over 15,000 base residential units, non-residential uses (commercial, office, industrial), and hospitality uses. This area of the City is a major economic hub as a significant amount of people enter the City every day to work in the businesses within this complex.

Open Space

In addition to the significant development that has occurred within the City, Irvine has taken great steps towards open space preservation and enhancement. Since 1988 the City has preserved over 93,000 acres known as the “Irvine Open Space Preserve” linking the Cleveland National Forest, San Joaquin Marsh, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and other resources. 12 The City has actively worked to preserve and manage open space lands and parklands and routinely monitors the health of City trees. The City is

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