City of Irvine Excludes RSJ Golf Course and RCI From City's Housing Element Plan

The City of Irvine is finalizing its Housing Element plan, which will be the city's guide on where its future housing will be built -- especially affordable housing -- for its growing population.  (All cities in California are required to file an Housing Element plan with the state.)

One of our Coalition to Protect Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course members, Ford Fujii, spoke at the city's Planning Commission meetings on July 1st and July 15th at Irvine City Hall to advocate to protect our recreational amenities such as the RSJ Golf Course and the Racquet Club of Irvine (RCI).

As a result, the Coalition confirmed that both the RSJ Golf Course and RCI properties will not be included on the city's list of  inventory sites for future housing development as part of the city's Housing Element plan. 

This means the commercial recreation zoning for the RSJ Golf Course and RCI is unlikely to change -- though we will need to remain vigilant.

View the video clip below in which Marika Poynter, City of Irvine Principal Planner, states at the July 15th Planning Commission meeting that the RSJ Golf Course and RCI are excluded from the city's Housing Element plan's list of inventory sites for future housing:

Video Clip of Marika Poynter, City of Irvine Principal Planner
At the July 15, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting

​And view the video clip below of Coalition member Ford Fujii speaking at the July 15th Planning Commission meeting during the public comments session to advocate for our existing recreational amenities.

Video Clip of Ford Fujii, Coalition to Protect RSJ Golf Course Member
At the July 15, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting

"South Irvine has a limited amount of recreational open space and once it is gone, it is gone forever."

--Ford Fujii, Irvine resident and member of the Coalition to Protect RSJ Golf Course

Irvine is blessed with recreational amenities for our residences, and we have learned from the Covid pandemic that residences need an outlet for outdoor recreation such as golf, tennis, hiking, and just communing with nature.

As Irvine's population continues to grow past 300,000, opportunities for recreation are even more important for our residences who have chosen to live in Irvine because of its amenities.
​ 
The Coalition to Protect RSJ Golf Course appreciates the continued support for our recreational amenities from the Irvine city staff, the Planning Commission, our Irvine City Council -- but especially our Irvine communities and the many residences who spoke out to protect the RSJ Golf Course and other recreational amenities!

As Irvine residents, we have  much to be thankful for:  Irvine award-winning schools, a world-class university at UC Irvine, excellent master planning from our city staff, and open space and commercial recreation amenities that are second to none.

ALL of these features are what makes Irvine a great place to live!