| WHAT: |
Originally adopted by the City of Orange in 1989 and then amended several times over the past decade, the Chapman University Specific Plan serves as the land use "rules book" that guides the planning and development of University-owned property. |
| WHY: |
While the original Specific Plan is still valid today, several new overlapping regulations have been approved in recent years by different jurisdictions for the areas in and around the University.
Specifically, the University's updated Specific Plan consolidates a long list of multi-layered ordinances and regulations contained within several governing policy documents, including:
- Design Standards for the Amendment to the Southwest Project Area
- The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
- The Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne
- The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- The City of Orange General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Local CEQA Guidelines
These regulations now influence how Chapman designs new buildings, restores and preserves existing structures, addresses landscape, roadway and infrastructure issues, and meets the needs of neighbors, local businesses, University students, faculty and staff, as well as the greater Orange community.
Ultimately, the Specific Plan will achieve the following:
- Consolidate criteria from several governing policy documents
- Address the need for resident student parking
- Enhance architectural guidelines
- Establish a master landscape plan
- Establish a historic building evaluation/review process
- Provide historic preservation/enhancement guidelines
- Address edge transition criteria/campus-community interface
- Identify Chapman University's Area of Interest
|
| WHERE: |
The updated Chapman University Specific Plan encompasses four key areas of geographical interest, including the following:
- Areas already developed by the University and contained in the original adopted Specific Plan
- Areas added to the updated Specific Plan (i.e., Film School, Dance Center, etc.)
- Areas of potential interest (i.e., renovation of existing structures on Glassell St.)
- Potential growth areas (i.e., east of the AT&SF Railroad line)
|
| WHO/HOW: |
The University is preparing an updated Specific Plan and accompanying Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to incorporate the new areas and identify and mitigate potential impacts associated with the updated plan. The review of the SP and EIR will involve several departments within the City of Orange, as well as review by the City of Orange Planning Commission, with final approval by the Orange City Council. Public hearings are expected to occur in the summer of 2003. |
| WHEN: |
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY SPECIFIC PLAN TIMELINE
|
| |
March 1989 |
Specific Plan (SP) first adopted by
Orange City Council |
| |
September 1989 |
SP Amended |
| |
December 1995 |
SP Amended |
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March 1997 |
SP Amended |
| |
Summer 2001 |
SP Evaluation/Analysis: Existing SP evaluated for compliance with numerous overlapping ordinances and regulations. Land use analysis study conducted. |
| |
Fall 2001 |
Scope of the updated plan warranted the need for a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR). |
| |
10/01 |
EIR Notice of Preparation issued to solicit inquiries from key agencies, organizations and individuals. |
| |
1/02-8/02 |
Focus groups and numerous community meetings conducted to obtain neighbor, business owners and community leaders' needs, concerns and comments.
Updated SP and EIR prepared, reflecting community input.
|
| |
5/02 |
Screencheck SP and EIR submitted to the City of Orange Planning Dept. for preliminary review and comment. |
| |
9/02 |
Villa Park Orchards and Sycamore Parking Lot sites added to the SP area and additional environmental analysis on those sites conducted. |
| |
9/02-1/03 |
EIR Notice of Preparation issued for the addition of Villa Park Orchards and Sycamore Parking Lot.
Revisions made to SP and EIR documents based on preliminary staff comments. Chapman University conducts its review of SP and EIR.
|
| |
1-3/03 |
Draft SP and 2nd Screencheck Draft EIR documents submitted to the City's Planning Dept. for review.
Small neighborhood meetings conducted with neighbors, businesses owners and community leaders to obtain additional input.
|
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3/03 |
Draft EIR prepared based on City comments. |
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Spring/Summer 2003 |
Draft EIR distributed for public review and comment. Responses made to public comments. Final EIR prepared and submitted to City of Orange Planning Dept. |
| |
Summer 2003 |
Planning Commission Hearings conducted, culminating with vote. City Council Hearing conducted, culminating with vote.
Updated SP adopted and EIR certified by City Council.
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