Chapman University proposes a comprehensive update to the Chapman University Specific Plan to incorporate additional properties into the Specific Plan area, increase student enrollment, include new campus quality of life standards, and update campus development and design standards. Proposed amendments to the Specific Plan include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maximum enrollment to increase from 8,700 headcount students to 10,185 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students, which equates to approximately 10,500 headcount students.
• Minimum allowable open space to decrease from 30 percent to 25 percent of the overall Specific Plan area.
• Requirement that a minimum of 50 percent of undergraduate students must live in Chapman University housing, including all first- and second-year students not living with their parents/legal guardians.
• Expansion of the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts backlot area.
• Modifications to setback and height requirements within the Specific Plan area.
• Modifications to the Historic Preservation and Enhancement Guidelines, Parking Guidelines, and Signage Guidelines.

The proposed project requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts, in conformance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15070 and in conformance with the Local CEQA Guidelines.

Final determination on the project approval will be made by the Orange City Council.

Project Updates:

• 4/23/2020 – The City of Orange has released an updated Notice of Preparation (NOP) for this project per the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City is recirculating the NOP because Chapman University has purchased the Killefer School site located at 541 North Lemon Street, Orange, CA 92867, which will be included in the updated SPA 7 area (see map in linked document). Please note that all comments previously submitted as part of the SPA 7 will be considered in the preparation of the EIR; therefore, it is requested that all comments be focused on the Killefer School site addition to the SPA 7 area.

  The NOP public comment period begins on April 23, 2020 and ends on May 22, 2020.  The City will be accepting email, U.S. mail and phone calls during the California “stay home” orders issued by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20 in response to Covid-19. Administrative staff will be available at the City to accept mail, and calls to the City offices will be forwarded accordingly to the appropriate staff.  Phone calls may not be immediately answered, but will be returned. 

  The January 20, 2020 public scoping meeting was attended by over 60 community members and generated comments on aesthetics, air quality, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, land use and planning, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation, utilities and service systems, and alternatives.  The original 2015 scoping meeting for the project generated approximately 120 comment letters on eight environmental topics.  Given the volume of comments generated at these meetings and the comprehensive nature of the issues identified, an additional scoping meeting will not be held for the updated SPA 7.   

• 1/17/2020 – Thank you to all of the residents and interested parties who participated in the CEQA Public Scoping Meeting on January 16, 2020. The materials presented at the meeting, including Powerpoint presentation and informational handout, are now available below. Public comment may be submitted for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) until January 27, 2020. Please contact staff if you have any questions.
  • NOP Scoping Meeting Handout
  • NOP Scoping Meeting Powerpoint
• 12/17/2019 – The comment period for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the project is now open. The City invites you to submit written comments describing your specific related to the potential environmental impacts of this project. Information gathered during the NOP comment period will be used to shape and focus future analyses of environmental impacts. The project description, location, and potential environmental effects are described in the NOP notification, linked below.
  
  Written comments are desired at the earliest possible date. If representing a public agency, please identify your specific areas of statutory responsibility. The City will accept your responses for 45 days after receipt of this notice. The NOP public comment period begins on December 12, 2019 and ends on January 27, 2019. Please send your written comments to Kelly Ribuffo at kribuffo@cityoforange.org and please include your name, address, and contact information in your correspondence.  

Upcoming Public Meetings/Hearings

No scheduled meetings at this time.

Notices of Preparation

• Notice of Preparation Dated April 23, 2020
• Notice of Preparation Dated December 12, 2019