Quarterly Newsletter 
Fall, 2026

Update: Area 12 Project

Crews began site development work on the Area 12-2 townhomes last week.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION:

• Heavy equipment, noise and dust during work hours (Monday-Friday, 7:00am-Dusk and Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm as needed).
• Some traffic delays may occur at the corner of Los Trancos Drive and East Peltason Drive, managed by signage and flaggers.
• As with all construction, it is best to avoid active construction sites and find an alternate route. ICHA recommends all residents avoid using Los Trancos Drive between Alcott Court and East Peltason Drive when possible to minimize any risk of debris on the road.
• For more information, visit the Area 12 Project page.

East Peltason Drive Delays

Delays are expected on a portion of northbound East Peltason Drive and the adjacent sidewalk, between Pereira Drive and Campus Drive, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to UCI's construction of the East Campus Student Housing project. The work began in August and continues through the end of the year. Roadway access will remain available during this time; however, consider taking alternate routes via Anteater Drive. Please use caution when traveling through the area, especially when workers are present.

University Hills Property Care & Maintenance Program Webpage

ICHA is launching the Property Care & Maintenance Program to help homeowners maintain their homes and ensure University Hills continues to fulfill its mission as a recruitment and retention tool for UCI.

Beginning in January 2027, a property inspector will visually survey the exterior of homes throughout University Hills. They will identify significant maintenance issues, beginning with peeling, chipped or faded paint, cracked stucco, rotting wood, bent garage doors, broken roof tiles or damaged drainpipes. The inspector will share the findings with ICHA. (Need to repaint? Check out the new paint schemes here icha.uci.edu/uhills-paint-colors)

Once an issue has been identified as significant, ICHA will notify the homeowner in a series of written notices. ICHA will work with homeowners who are contacted about a deferred maintenance issue, acting as a “navigator” through the process. 

The program was announced to the community in July; ICHA held an online meeting shortly after for residents to ask questions. More community meetings will be scheduled. The Q&A based on that meeting can be found at icha.uci.edu/home-improvements/property-care-maintenance-program. The new webpage also includes links to an infographic explainer, contractor list and links to previous communications.

If you think you have some maintenance items to address, please email us at myhome@icha.uci.edu. ICHA is here to help. Let's do this!

The popularity of the newly renovated Los Trancos Pool & Park area plus the new Area 12 homes have increased demand for parking along Los Trancos Drive, and parking spots can be hard to find there. Visitors to the Los Trancos Pool facility are encouraged to park on Vista Bonita Drive or other streets when the facility lot is full. Here are more parking guidelines:

• University Hills residents are welcome to park on any UH residential street.
• The Alcott Court, Blake Court and Area 12 parking lots are restricted to their respective residents and guests.
• The Los Trancos pool parking lot is for the exclusive use of pool and park users.
• No student parking is allowed in University Hills.
• No parking is allowed in designated bike lanes unless signed otherwise.
• If parking violations occur, vehicles may be cited.

Click on the map for a clearer view

New Paint Colors Are Now Available

We are pleased to announce — especially to homeowners looking to paint their homes prior to the rainy season — that the new paint color schemes are now ready! The Homeowner's Representative Board (HRB) and ICHA staff worked with a professional color consultant to develop new paint palettes referencing the original palettes of University Hills while expanding and modernizing the color options. Click the link below to explore the Dunn Edwards paint palette tool. If you need assistance, reach out to ICHA.

Important Changes Coming to ZotALERT Emergency Alert System

ZotALERT CHANGES OCTOBER 13: UCI affiliates: (faculty, staff and students) are automatically added to ZotALERT distribution. Faculty and staff may confirm the correct mobile phone information by logging into the employee profile in UCPath. UCI non-affiliates: Under the current system, faculty and staff can add family members, roommates, or others to receive ZotALERTS. This system will phase out on October 13, when non-UCI affiliates must resubscribe to ZotALERT by sending a text to 226787 (instructions on graphic above)

Cancer clusters in South Orange County communities have been making headlines all summer. There is speculation that glyphosate, the active ingredient formerly used in weed killers like RoundUp, may have some connection to the cancer cases. We thought it would be a great time to highlight ICHA's Integrated Pest Management Program.

• Almost a decade ago, ICHA made a commitment to discontinue the use of glyphosate. In University Hills, organic herbicides and insecticides are used almost exclusively. Driving around the community, you will see signage from time to time on slopes announcing "ORGANIC APPLICATION IN PROGRESS." ICHA values transparency around the pest management and landscaping products it uses.
• Two years after ICHA's ban, the University of California discontinued glyphosate-based herbicides and other chemicals at all UC locations. Since that time, ICHA, as a member of UCI's Integrated Pest Management Team, has advised the campus on organic herbicides and pesticides it has used successfully.
• The University Hills Homeowner's Representative Board Sustainability Committee and the HOOT Group (Help Our Owls Thrive) have been valued partners in educating residents and championing non-toxic practices to control weeds, pests and rodents in the community, facilitating the installation of six barn owl nesting boxes in the neighborhood (rodent control has transitioned away from rodenticides to methods like snap traps, vitamin D3-based products, and rat birth control).

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Pick up all fallen fruit.
• Never leave uneaten pet food outside overnight.
• Keep pet food in sealed metal containers if stored in the garage or other outbuildings.
• Keep palm trees and plants well trimmed. 
• Discontinue the use of birdseed feeders.

Fall Tree Trimming & Removals Are Underway

Annual pruning is scheduled September - December to accommodate state bird nesting restrictions. If work is required outside this window, ICHA retains a licensed biologist to survey the trees to ensure there are no active nests within the canopies or nearby. Pruning in the cooler Fall and Winter months reduces stress on trees, particularly conifers and various types of deciduous species. Chaidez Tree Service will leave firewood salvaged from common area tree removals adjacent to the curbs for free collection and use by residents.

From the beginning, the ICHA Board of Directors envisioned a tree-enhanced community in University Hills. It is worth noting that over 42 years of planning, planting, and care has resulted in a wonderful complement to the village's atmosphere, environment, and the UCI campus. Over this same period of time, consistent tree management has resulted in no serious damage to homes, property, vehicles, or people. On an annual basis, pruning rotates between different tree species. Various varieties can go longer that every two years without pruning. The largest number of trees on the Hill that are alternately addressed are Eucalyptus and Pines. A recent invasion by the Tortoise Shell Beatle is seriously stressing multiple Eucalyptus varieties across Southern California.

The many numbers of street trees maturing across the Hill present a challenge in maintaining size, shape, safety and aesthetics. Balancing tree canopy and root care also benefits birds in our environment and air quality as well. We remind everyone that fruit, leaves, needles, flowers and bark are all natural components that fall from trees and that living with some number of droppings is good for the trees and requires a little of our patience. Thank you for your understanding.

Now Is a Good Time to Clear Rain Gutters

Heavier-than-usual rainfall is expected to hit this winter, meaning this is the perfect time to clear rain gutters and drains before El Niño arrives. Blowing dry debris before rain is easier than removing wet material. Start with the drain furthest from the street and wash from the rear of the property to the front to clear debris and sediment from drains. Don't forget to prune vegetation away from and off roof areas.

Be a Good Neighbor

Practice pool safety.

The newly remodeled Los Trancos Pool & Park area has been wildly popular this summer and it's been a joy to see so many UHills families and residents out using it. For the safety of all, please remember not to leave the pool gate propped open, but rather use pool keys. Also, children under age 12 must be supervised by an adult when in the pool. Have fun and be safe!

Please keep your dog on a leash at all times.

Dogs in public areas and parks are required to be leashed at all times. Irvine Municipal Code Sec. 4-5-701

Please keep sidewalks clear of all vehicles.

Vehicles obstructing the sidewalk force pedestrians, people using walkers, baby strollers etc. to move into the street to pass. This creates a potential safety hazard.

Please keep sidewalks clear of landscaping.

Trees and shrubs growing into or over sidewalks also can block access and create trip hazards for pedestrians. Thank you.

Please practice e-bike safety.

In University Hills, all bicycles, e-bikes and other electric vehicles are required to be operated safely. Riding these vehicles in a way that damages common area landscaping or causes injury to pedestrians or facility users is prohibited. Click here to view the Irvine Police Department's "E-Bike Guide for Parents & Riders." Let's Ride Safe!

Please store trash bins out of sight.

Don't leave trash bins in the driveway as they can cause parked vehicles to extend over the sidewalk. When moving bins on trash collection day, please be courteous and take care to minimize noise in the early morning or late night hours.

Community Management:

(949) 824-2424

Community Center Reservations:

(949) 824-2425

After-hours Maintenance Emergencies:

(714) 953-7002

Billing Questions:

(949) 824-8708

Rental Department:
(949) 824-6254

Sales Department:

(949) 824-7345

ICHA reserves the right to send to an unsubscribed e-mail certain important communications such as construction notifications or emergencies. The unsubscribed status will be respected for all other ICHA or HRB communications.