Construction of the Area 12 Townhomes is underway. The builder, California Pacific Homes, is currently mobilizing grading equipment and performing sidewalk demolition within the site fencing. Grading and retaining wall operations are scheduled to begin Monday, March 11 and continue through mid-May. Pedestrians are advised to travel on the opposite side of Los Trancos Drive during this time. The grading work includes the salvage and relocation of three Ginkgo Biloba trees and two Conifer trees to Vista Bonita Park. What to Expect During Construction:

• Heavy equipment
• Noise, dust and vibrations
• Odors

• Increased truck and equipment traffic
• Work hours: Monday-Friday 7:00am-7:00pm; Saturdays as needed 9:00am-6:00pm

Please stay clear of construction areas and equipment to ensure the safety of all residents. For the Area 12 site plan, timeline, renderings, and more, visit the Area 12 project page at icha.uci.edu/area12/

• Tour gardens in University Hills
• Meet with vendors (click here for UHills contractor list)
• Find out how to get involved with the UHills Garden Club
• Exchange info with neighbors who also love to garden or want to update their yards!
• If you are interested in showing off your home or garden, please email sales@icha.uci.edu

Making Your Apartment Your Home

Everyone should feel at home in their residence, whether they live in a single-family home, apartment, or condo. The ICHA Rental Department understands the importance of residents feeling comfortable and at home in their apartments. Residents are encouraged to personalize their interior spaces by making design choices that are simple and easy to implement. As with any rental community, there are limits to what you can change in the space. The ICHA Rental Department is always available to answer questions and provide guidance. Because ICHA is responsible for maintaining the rental communities to a high standard along with preserving the assets for future residents, some alterations require pre-approval. Below, we have identified some ways in which residents can personalize their space:

• Accent walls or full room painting (contact the rental department for specifications and pre-approval) 
• Removable wallpaper 
• Home décor (table lamps, wall sconces, throw pillows, leaning mirror, rugs, artwork)  
• Patio furniture
• Free standing storage shelving units for the interior of the garage perimeter (Alturas, Miramonte) as long as 2 vehicles fit in the garage and are within the storage boundary lines; Santiago and Gabrielino as long as a single vehicle fits in the garage
• Potted plants with bases to capture water
• Window treatments (attached to the interior walls, and not visible from the exterior when roller shades or blinds are closed).

For pre-approval on painting or other alteration ideas not listed, please contact Kelvin Watson, Rental Properties Manager or Sheila Ruiz, Rental Operations Manager, at (949) 824-6254. Kelvin and Sheila will be happy to assist you. Additionally, for other apartment changes, or if you would like to make a reasonable modification request due to disability, please contact Kelvin Watson. 

Congratulations, Newly Elected Homeowners Representative Board Members!

The Homeowners Representative Board (HRB) would like to thank all residents who voted in the 2024 University Hills HRB Election. This year, 18% of the community cast votes. The new Board will include: Brad Conley, Randall Crane, Chrissy McCormick, Mack McCoy, Gerald Parham, Susan Pearlman and Hobart Taylor. Congratulations to all new and outgoing Board members, and a special thank you to Cami Patel for all of her event and recreation planning on behalf of the community!

Ground Rent Billing Update

Andrew Herndon Celebrates 40th Anniversary at ICHA

Congratulations, Andrew!

Residents, HRB members, contractors and ICHA staff gathered at the Community Room on February 13 to congratulate Andrew on his 40 years of service to the University Hills community. Attendees paid tribute to Andrew by sharing stories and anecdotes, from his rescue of the giant tortoise walking the streets of UHills to his talents as a tree whisperer and beehive rescuer, to his legendary life pre-ICHA (Andrew is a former Olympic-contender pole vaulter and chauffeur to the stars in Hollywood). Andrew's talents as a fixer (water leaks) mediator (neighbor disputes) and negotiator (Tacos & Co., free mulch from Chaidez, among many others) have greatly improved life here on the Hill.

Thank you Andrew, for all your assistance to the University Hills Community and to ICHA. You embody the aspiration to Build Community by helping others. Congratulations!

Home Grown Orange Dos & Don'ts

The University Hills Washington navel oranges shared with the community in late February were a fantastic hit! They were placed in baskets on the Community Center's courtyard and lasted just about a week. The remaining oranges on the Gabrielino slopes and at the Garden Park are Valencias, which ripen in June/July. ICHA Management, with the assistance of the O'Connell Landscape crew, annually picks the fruit to share with the community, using trimmers that do not damage the branch structures.

• Please do not pick oranges growing in University Hills.
• Citrus fruit should not be transported beyond its growth area to prevent the spread of pathogens, in particular the Asian Citrus Psyllid/Huanglongbing/Greening disease.
• The HRB's Events Committee is anticipating an early summer Sunday morning brunch where fresh squeezed juice will complement the morning menu!

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.