T
he City of Irvine has rezoned a business district next to John Wayne Airport for 15,000 homes, overriding concerns from the airport commission about noise, safety, and land use compatibility. The city council voted 4-1 to rezone the Irvine Business Complex, northeast of the airport, in response to a state mandate requiring it to build more homes.

    Irvine must plan for 23,554 additional homes by 2029, or face fines, loss of permitting powers, and other penalties. In August, the council voted to override the airport commission's ruling, approving its broader general plan update, which includes housing in neighborhoods around the Spectrum and Great Park that could accommodate over 57,000 future homes.

    Councilmember Tammy Kim argued that Irvine had a "moral obligation" to approve the vision for smart sustainable planning, while Councilman Larry Agran was the sole vote against the override. He expressed concerns about the spillover effects of such large-scale development and the inability to properly mitigate environmental concerns.

    Irvine joins other Orange County cities in overriding an airport land use commission ruling that housing is "inconsistent" with the plan for John Wayne Airport. Newport Beach, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa have also overridden the commission's objections, allowing them to plan for homes near the airport.