Sierra Club Loses Challenge to Development in Orange

The city of Orange complied with the law when it approved the Irvine Co.’s plans to build nearly 4,000 homes in the rural foothills east of the city, a judge ruled Friday.

Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Sundvold’s decision came in response to a Sierra Club lawsuit against the city and the developer alleging errors and omissions in an environmental report.

The Sierra Club contended that the report severely understated the effects of the estimated 40,000 daily car trips the new development would add to city streets.

The City Council unanimously approved the project in November.

The Irvine Co.’s plans include a public marina on Irvine Lake, a golf course, a sports park and 4,300 acres of wilderness.

“We are gratified with the thorough and detailed nature of the judge’s ruling,” Irvine Co. Senior Vice President Robyn Uptegraff said in a statement. “The ruling validates the integrity and thoroughness of the city’s environmental assessment process.”

The Sierra Club has not decided whether to appeal.

“We are, of course, disappointed by the court’s ruling. We feel for the many citizens and wildlife species that will have to suffer quality-of-life consequences and environmental harm if the Irvine Co.’s project is developed,” said Frank P. Angel, the Sierra Club’s lawyer.