REBUTTAL

I’m writing in response to David Cornett’s letter (“Irvine Co. up to

tricks,” Dec. 7). The Newport Ridge North project along the toll road at

Bonita Canyon has been planned for more than 10 years. Extensive

environmental studies were conducted that included public hearings and

the opportunity for the public to comment and influence the plan. Further

opportunity for public input came when the zoning was approved and tract

maps were processed. Even more hearings took place when the county

annexed the land from the city of Irvine in 1997.

At each of these points, the government agencies responsible for

processing the project notified the public of their actions and invited

input from the surrounding communities. Under the law, they are required

to notify the neighboring residents. And judging from the letters on file

in the official record from Harbor View residents, some neighbors felt

strongly enough to actually participate in the official process.

That process is now over, all of the studies are done and appropriate

government approvals are in place. Construction has begun.

Earlier this month, we sent a letter to the neighborhood letting them

know that they would shortly see some construction activity. We notified

them even though there was no legal requirement to do so. The only reason

we sent this notice was because we are trying to be good neighbors and

wanted to inform them of the steps we were taking to minimize the impacts

of the construction on the neighboring community.

If Seawind residents feel they were not properly notified by the

government agencies, they should check with the agencies involved. We

were a part of that process at each step so we are confident of what the

record will show. If they are new residents, they should check with the

previous owners of their homes to make sure it was properly disclosed to

them.

As we always do, the Irvine Co. has gone well beyond its legal

requirements on this project to keep the neighbors informed and to

minimize the impacts of the construction on the community. And we will

continue to work with the neighboring communities addressing new concerns

as they arise.

PAUL KRANHOLD

Vice president, corporate communications

The Irvine Co.