The city of Irvine ‘s plan to buy two properties on Armstrong Avenue was halted at the last minute in a 3-2 vote by council members earlier this week.
“It hadn’t been seen by the planning commission. It hadn’t been seen by our finance commission. It hadn’t been seen by our transportation commission,” council member Michael Carroll said. “And most importantly, it had not been seen by the actual residents living right next to this potential facility.”
The Council voted last month in favor of acquiring the buildings for nearly $20 million.
Their goal would have been to use the facilities as part of a bridge housing project to address homelessness.
However, on Tuesday many people who live near the properties said that decision lacked transparency.
“Here, they skipped the entire process. They went into voting, securing the real estate piece with a two week closing of escrow transaction,” Andrea Serrano said.
Many of them showed up to an emergency meeting to voice their frustrations but left relieved with the Council’s narrow decision to not move forward with the purchase.