ORANGE – Chapman University wants to add approximately 17 acres to its campus - especially to carve out space for its growing school of film and television.

The school particularly wants to amend its Specific Plan - its blueprint for its physical future - so that it can grow west into land occupied by former industrial buildings.

Tonight, when the Planning Commission considers the school's expansion, Chapman's lengthy campaign of neighborhood meetings, community newsletters, group discussions and compromises is expected pay off with a smoother road to approval.

The university learned a hard lesson about community relations in Old Towne two years ago after a proposed modern design for a campus chapel sparked fierce community opposition - and a complete exterior redesign.

"People are passionate about that community," said Ken Ryan, one of the consultants hired to work with neighbors and preservationists to ensure that the plan evolved harmoniously.

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The Planning Commission meets at 7 tonight at City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave. Call (714) 744-7220.
"They care that you can still go down to Watson's Drug Store for a hamburger and maybe meet the mayor - who grew up in Orange - down by the cough-medicine aisle and talk to him for a while. They want to hold on to that small-town feeling, and we have listened very carefully."

Members of the powerful Old Towne Preservation Association - who led opposition to the original chapel design - say they're pleased with the change in approach.

"Our main concern is that Chapman not grow too big and overtake Old Towne so we would suddenly be residents of the university," said Anne Siebert, a past president of the association. "Ken Ryan ... has been very good about involving the community and keeping us apprised of its plans. It's been an open stream of communication."

Still, the preservation group has issues it wants the commission to address. Among them:

Student population

Chapman would like to increase its enrollment of no more than 5,391 students to a peak of 8,715 in 2016, Ryan has said.

"That's a little bit mind-boggling when you look at that number," Siebert said. "That's just huge."

Traffic signals

University-driven traffic increases could require the installation of traffic signals in Old Towne. The association opposes them.

Design review

Chapman would like to use its Specific Plan to ease the way for individual campus projects. The association wants to make sure that won't mean bypassing the city's design-review process.

Cypress Street closure

The university envisions making Cypress Street a pedestrian walkway. Others say the street should retain full access to the rest of Old Towne.

A number of Cypress Street neighbors remain unmoved by Chapman's expressions of good will toward their old Mexican-American neighborhood.

"You might as well say that the whole area between Shaffer and the railroad track from half a block north of Chapman all the way to Collins is at stake," said Augie Morales, 69, who grew up on Cypress and whose sister still lives there.

"They are pushing so hard that if we don't stop them now, you might as well kiss this area goodbye," he said. "Chapman is not working with us at all.

He plans to attend the commission meeting to again voice his concerns.