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Public Safety

Although Irvine has been ranked as the safest city of similar size in the United States, many residents feel that the safety situation is getting worse, mainly due to the fact that property crimes are on the rise in Irvine.  As Mayor, I will work tirelessly to enhance our public safety measures by (a) improving advanced technology usage throughout the city into our strategies without intruding resident's privacy, (b) giving police officer the right tools and trainings to deter and stop crimes effectively, (c) mobilizing community effort and platforms to report crimes timely and expand neighborhood crime watch programs, (d) working with state officials and voters to support Prop 36 to make changes to or completely repeal Prop 47.



HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

The most critical factor in housing accessibility is lack of housing options for mid to low income levels. Mid to low income professionals and workers who are critical workforce for our community are priced out of the current housing market. My priority is to encourage and approve housing projects that have the right mix of affordability levels and reduce the barriers for existing homeowners to rent out houses or rooms.  

The City of Irvine 2045 General Plan Update currently contemplates placing mixed-use housing in the two dense, jobs/industrial centers of the Irvine Spectrum, the Irvine Business Complex, and small portions of the Great Park with an emphasis on housing more focused on walkability, bikeability, and public transit. The Housing Element portion of the General Plan Update was approved two years ago already by the City Council (which has to be updated every 8 years according to state law).

According to the OC Business Journal, there are approximately 117,000 housing units in Irvine. The staff-prepared City of Irvine 2045 General Plan Update states: “The 2021-2029 Housing Element Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for the City is 23,610 units. To ensure consistency with housing statute, including no-net loss and affirmatively furthering fair housing requirements, the 2021-2029 Housing Element identified adequate sites to accommodate 57,656 new residential units.” There is also an alternative plan to just satisfy the state allocation of 23.610 units.

With the city poised for further growth, I will make sure that traffic and school capacity are properly considered in any new developments. Meeting the state housing requirements is important, but the city has to maintain local control to adequately address all factors affecting the quality of life for city residents.



Economic Development

Irvine is a relatively young city considering the fact that the city was established in 1971. However, many people do not realize that Irvine has made significant scientific contributions to the society even when it was still an agricultural ranch. The light of speed was first measured right here in Irvine by renowned Physicist Albert Michelson. On the Irvine Ranch in 1931, Albert Einstein visited physicist Albert Michelson to observe ongoing experiments using a one-mile-long vacuum tube to measure the speed of light. Michelson’s measurements of light made him the first American scientist to win a Nobel Prize and paved the way for Einstein’s relativity theories and the famous E=mc² equation.

With two doctorate degrees in Engineering and in Law as well as over twenty-years business executive leadership experience in high-tech industries, I am uniquely qualified and passionately committed to the further economic growth in Irvine. I will work with both emerging and established businesses to bring innovation and high quality jobs to the community, and keep Irvine at the forefront of technology and economic development.



Great Park Development

I am dedicated to advocating projects that will serve as cultural and recreational hubs for our community, including a world class library, permanent amphitheater, cultural terrace, and water features.

I am committed to advancing the Great Park in a manner that reflects the diverse voices and needs of all Irvine residents, ensuring it becomes a cornerstone of our community's recreational and cultural life.

The current plan of building the Veteran’s Cemetery at the Gypsum Canyon is progressing well and is a good solution for Veterans and residents. I fully support this plan and additionally building a beautiful Veteran Memorial Park in the Great Park to honor the veterans who defended our country and freedom.



The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA)

The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) was started with a good intention. However, it has been poorly managed and plagued with financial troubles and scandals. Irvine city also advanced $7.7 million of Irvine taxpayer dollars to OCPA without any oversight by the City. This situation cannot continue. We have to stop this before more Irvine tax dollars are spent on this troubled entity.

Since the firing of controversial figure Brian Probolsky and the recent changes in leadership on the Board, OCPA has undergone some reform efforts to address transparency concerns and carried out most of the suggestions made in many of the audits OCPA has undergone.

As mayor, I will thoroughly review all OCPA's past failures and recent improvement effort and make the decisions most responsible to the city and residents.



Lee Sun for Irvine Mayor 2024
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