MeterNet Begins Water & Sewer Billing

The replacement of aging water meters with smart models has been completed throughout University Hills. Homeowners can expect to receive the first MeterNet statement in early September. The first statement from MeterNet will cover water usage for July and August. Subsequent statements will cover one month of water usage. 

Instructions on setting up an account with MeterNet will appear on the first statement, or you can complete an electronic form at any time here (please note, the form requires a date in the "close of escrow" field, but any previous date can be entered). The first payments to MeterNet are due by September 30th. Late fees will be waived through November 4th as the community transitions to this new system.

ICHA has received some complaints from residents about challenges with scanning the new meter numbers and signing up with MeterNet for billing and correspondence. ICHA has conveyed this feedback to MeterNet. The best way to resolve any issues is to contact MeterNet directly at:

MeterNet Customer Service

760-728-1295 or 1-800-985-1179

customerservice@meternetusa.com

Area 12 & Los Trancos Park & Pool Update

AREA 12-1: Construction on the 104 for-sale townhomes is nearing completion and new buyers are moving in. Site supervisors continue to monitor parking and debris along Los Trancos Drive. It is advised for vehicular traffic to use alternate routes around the site. As construction continues, the fenced areas continue to be off limits.

Click here for the full tentative timeline. For more project details, see icha.uci.edu/about-icha/construction-updates

LOS TRANCOS POOL & PARK: The pool and park will close for renovations on September 22, 2025. The Los Trancos facilities are expected to reopen by the summer of 2026. The Los Trancos Pool & Park Renewal project will:

• Update the pool area (plaster, decking, coping, fencing, landscaping, etc.)
• Construct a new pool building to add space for restrooms, equipment, and showers
• Redesign the park area, increasing circulation and adding community gathering spaces (see community choices here)

NEW BIKE PATHWAYS NOW OPEN: Thank you University Hills for your patience during the Area 12-1 construction. Over 40 new households are now living in the community and settling into life in University Hills. The remaining new neighbors will all be moved in by December this year. 

Parking on Los Trancos Drive

The plan for Area 12-1 approved by the UC Regents in 2023 included both on-street parking on Los Trancos Drive and two new off-street bike pathways. The Area 12 design prioritizes building as many homes as possible to accommodate the growth of the university, its faculty, and its staff. To accomplish this, permanent parking spaces on Los Trancos Drive were added in the approved design to allow room for up to 7 additional townhomes.

Off-street Bike Pathways Built Into the Area-12 Design

The two new off-street bike pathways offering car-free travel routes for cyclists are now operational, starting at the Los Trancos Pool to East Peltason Drive. One path parallels Los Trancos down to East Peltason Drive; the second ends at Physical Sciences Road & East Peltason Drive at the traffic signal (shown here at the blue dashed lines).

These new bike paths offer the community's bike riders traveling north to the campus core and back to University Hills a bi-directional off-street alternative. Both paths are 8 feet wide to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Along with the rest of Area 12-1, the street improvements, lane widths, on-street parking, and bike paths were designed by trained and licensed professionals, and the designs and plans were reviewed and approved through formal channels per all applicable codes.

Temporary green paint on the asphalt of Los Trancos Drive helps to visually identify this new bike lane transition to off-street routes. The final installation includes applying brighter green "RideSafe" paint. Since the asphalt on Los Trancos near Area 12 will be ground down and repaved in 2026, the temporary green paint was used during this phase. There are also signs notifying cyclists of the upcoming off-street route transition. ICHA encourages cyclists to review the bike signage plan linked above and familiarize themselves with the changes.

Safety in Slowing Down

Cyclists may also use the car travel lane since California Vehicle Code section 21200 grants cyclists the rights and responsibility of a car on-street as long as they are traveling at the same speed as vehicles. Although this is permitted, ICHA suggests that each cyclist assess the path, whether on street as a “vehicle” or on the new off-street bike pathways, to ensure their own safety to and from campus. 

As with anything new and different in streets and sidewalks, it is wise to reduce your speed and pay extra attention, especially in the coming months as we all get used to the new patterns of travel. Please consider driving (and cycling!) at a slower speed and take an extra glance around you for the safety of all.

Visit the Area 12 Project page for renderings, site plans, community meeting recordings and more.

Home Improvement Permits & Inspections

In University Hills, all exterior home and property improvements (building alterations, painting, fencing, major landscaping) require a Property Improvement Application (link below) Please submit completed application, along with plans, to homeimprovements@icha.uci.edu. Residents have been hiring contractors and completing work prior to the application process, which is a violation of the Ground Sublease if architectural or structural changes are being completed without approval. Installing unapproved alterations can result in costly fixes, so please follow the process outlined below.

The City of Irvine is no longer issuing building permits or providing inspection services for any building on UC land, including home improvements in University Hills. UCI Design & Construction Services (D&CS) is now responsible for building permits and inspections. Willdan Engineering, the Campus "Inspector of Record" is now providing plan check and permitting at the direction of the Campus Architect. Failure to pull permits may impact the assessment of value of capital improvements when selling a University Hills home.

Preparing for the Future: Transferring Property Into Trust

To avoid probate, make sure a deed is recorded transferring your property into trust when you execute your family trust. Due to the Ground Sublease, it is also necessary to transfer your ground sublease interest into the family trust. Click below for a Trust Explainer and information on UCI’s legal insurance plan. For more information, contact the ICHA Sales Office at sales@icha.uci.edu or 949-824-7345.

Important Disclosures UHills Residents Should Know

The following disclosures are taken from the Buyers' Disclosure documents provided to homeowners at the time of purchase. The documents include community rules and policies that all UHills residents — renters and homeowners alike — should be familiar with. Please review them. For questions, contact ICHA Real Estate Sales & Administration at sales@icha.uci.edu.

• Construction within University Hills. Various construction activities may be occurring within and around University Hills. As a result of these construction activities you may be driving through an active construction area. ICHA urges you to exercise extreme caution and to observe all signs and rules while driving near any construction areas. University Hills residents and guests are not permitted in construction areas. You will assume all risks of liability and all obligations for any injuries or damages which are sustained by you and your guests and invitees by reason of such persons' presence within any construction area.
• University Hills Streets and Parking. The streets within the University Hills community are private and are maintained by ICHA. The California Vehicle Code is enforced by the UCI Police Department. On-street parking for residents and their guests is permitted except in designated areas. Parking is restricted to one side of the street in some areas of University Hills. Specific parking areas within and adjacent to the apartment and attached housing communities are restricted to residents and guests of that apartment or attached housing community.
• Prohibition on Firearms. Firearms are not permitted on the UCI campus. Homeowners are not permitted to keep firearms in their homes or to discharge firearms anywhere in University Hills or on the remainder of the UCI campus.
• Views Not Guaranteed. Neither ICHA nor any of its authorized agents, representatives or employees have made any representations, warranties or promises concerning any view, present or future, that may be enjoyed from all or any portion of the home. The view may change, as it may be affected or obstructed by (a) construction or installation of improvements, structures, fences, walls and/or landscaping by ICHA or homeowners of property within or outside the University Hills Community and/or (b) the growth of trees, landscaping and/or vegetation within or outside University Hills. Although views are not guaranteed by ICHA, the Homeowner's Representative Board has adopted guidelines regarding changed views resulting from common area landscape installation and maturation of landscape improvements.

Please contact the Homeowner's Representative Board for additional information.

Fire Hardening & Fuel Modification Info

In case you missed last month's Let’s Talk Fire Safety & Prevention meeting, the presentation slides are available on UHills.org in the Let's Talk archive. For additional resources about insurance, UCI Emergency Management, and more, go to https://conta.cc/4fXmaNp

Oak Grove Improvement Project Begins Next Month

The Homeowners Representative Board (HRB), University Hills Sustainability Committee, and ICHA Management will commence improvements at the Oak Grove Corner Park beginning in September. The project includes removal of the high grass and non-native shrubbery which will be replaced with predominately California natives. Light grading to develop the stream beds, with retaining wall construction and bridge improvements to follow. Resting structures, shade improvements, water collection features and demonstration signage identifying plant materials will offer an educational perspective in using our local native plants. A grant from the Metropolitain Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) will assist with the expenses to convert the park to an educational and aesthetic blueprint of water conservation and use of Native California Flora. Community efforts have advanced this design and will include resident participation.

Eucalyptus trees in University Hills are under assault by the Tortoise Beetle, as are many trees within major swaths of Los Angeles and Orange County. The beetle is more of a nuisance than a plague and is not anticipated to permanently harm the trees. Click here for a Tortoise Beetle explainer by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Integrated Pest Management group. Tree pruning across the Hill will commence in September, with particular attention to pines and various street trees.

Community Corner

Just a few friendly reminders to help keep our community safe and enjoyable for everyone:

Mailboxes and Trashcans: Please keep mailboxes clear when parking on the street or placing trash cans out for collection. If a mailbox is blocked, the postal service may be unable to deliver mail. Keeping the area around mailboxes open ensures smooth and reliable service for all. Remember, trash cans need to be stored out of sight when it isn’t trash pick-up day. Thank you for being considerate of our mail carriers!

Sidewalk Safety and Parking: Please check that any personal landscaping—such as shrubs or branches—does not extend onto sidewalks, as this can create trip hazards for pedestrians. Likewise, vehicles parked overhanging sidewalks can obstruct pathways and make it difficult for neighbors, strollers, and those with mobility needs to pass safely.

Fire Hydrant Access: For everyone’s safety, vegetation or objects should not block fire hydrants. A clear space of at least three feet is required around each hydrant to ensure emergency personnel visibility and access when needed.

Cleaning Up After Pets: A gentle reminder to clean up after your dogs during walks. A number of residents have spoken to Management regarding a higher concentration of droppings in Meadow Park. Even our more natural settings, such as Meadow Park and the open space preserve, require the removal of droppings as both a courtesy and to keep in balance with nature. Keeping our shared spaces clean helps maintain a pleasant environment for all neighbors and visitors.

Thank you so much for your cooperation and attention to these small but important details. Together, we can keep our community safe, welcoming, and well-maintained!