Irvine officials announced Feb. 28 the purchase and future closure of the All American Asphalt Plant in north Irvine, which has been the source of complaints among nearby residents who say odors from it are harming their quality of life.
City officials have not released the terms of the deal, but said the purchase will transfer 475 acres of land to the city of which a portion will be developed for residential use.
“As a City, we have and will continue to monitor, evaluate, and implement programs to improve residents’ quality of life and public health,” Mayor Farrah N. Khan said in a statement. “This acquisition will not only address community concern, but it will also reaffirm Irvine’s commitment to being one of the best and safest cities in the world.”
Once acquired, the land will be developed with housing, hundreds of acres of open space with hiking and biking trails, and two new parks in a project dubbed Gateway Preserve, according to city officials.
The All American Asphalt plant was built in the early 1990s prior to the land being incorporated by Irvine.
Since then, residential communities have been built near it. But several residents in recent years have spoken out against the plant, complaining of offending odors.
The plant has been cited several times since 2019 by the regional air quality agency for discharging odors that “caused a nuisance to a considerable number of persons.”
Some city officials have long since considered shuttering it.
“This represents significant progress in finally getting the asphalt plant shut down,” Councilmember Larry Agran said in a statement. “I am proud that my office heard the voices of the community early on and stepped up for the environment and the affected members of the City to help get this done. Citizen activism can and does make a difference.”
Spokespersons for the city of Irvine and All American Asphalt were not immediately available for comment.
