The Tustin Hills Racquet Club (“THRC”) has been sold, and the new owners plan to rezone the property for high-density condominiums. Many people have enjoyed this facility for decades and do not want it destroyed. The developer needs the approval of the OC Board of Supervisors to change the zoning. Many residents oppose the rezoning, and FCA has formed a Steering Committee to lead the opposition.

The Steering Committee seeks to protect North Tustin zoning and block the new owners of the THRC (Tracy and David Beauchamp and their Ranch Hill Partners LP developers Peter Zehnder and Kimiya Leuteritz) from their latest efforts to circumvent local zoning procedures for approval of high-density condos via California Senate Bill 330. If approved, this development will destroy the character of our neighborhood.

In 2011, Tracy and David Beauchamp unsuccessfully attempted to redevelop the Balboa Peninsula Point Racquet Club into dwelling units, facing significant opposition from the Balboa and Newport communities. They now seek to do similar damage to our neighborhood, developing our THRC into 37 condominiums that will negatively impact our community and property values. The Beauchamps began this latest strategy only after their proposal was voted down unanimously 7-0 by the North Tustin Advisory Council in August 2020. Before purchasing the THRC, the FCA Steering Committee informed the Beauchamps and their Developers multiple times of the vast community opposition to their proposed rezoning and project, as well as the fact that over 1,500 residents have signed the petition opposing any rezoning of this property.

The THRC is a community treasure and our last recreationally zoned land parcel in North Tustin. Countless children and adults have learned to swim and play tennis at the Club, and more than 80% of the Club’s current tennis clinic participants are Non-Club Members. The Racquet Club benefits the entire North Tustin community.

THRC ACTION PLAN

The County of Orange has engaged an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) for purposes of evaluating the impact of the proposed zone change and high-density development on our community. We estimate that the EIR will be released to the Public potentially as early as the first week of February. The Public will have 45 days (45-day Public Comment Period) to review and comment.

STEERING COMMITTEE

As soon as the EIR is made available for public review, the Steering Committee will:

1. Organize a community meeting (either in-person or remote using the Internet). The Public is encouraged to provide written feedback to the County regarding issues raised (or not appropriately addressed) in the EIR.  During our meeting, we will answer questions and aid with such letters to the County.
2. Coordinate legal response to the EIR through FCA.
3. Work consistently with county staff to review all staff reports, provide feedback, monitor process.
4. Meet and confer with Supervisor Wagner and his staff regarding status/progress of the project.
5. Meet and confer with County Planning Commissioner before the public hearing.
6. Provide regular, informative updates to the community as we progress.
7. Provide feedback and talking points to the community for use in your individual responses to the County (if preferred) before the 45-day Public Comment Period deadline.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS

1. During the upcoming 45-day Public Comment Period, the Public is encouraged to provide written correspondence to the County expressing your opposition to the project, including any specific impacts to your property. More information and guidance to be provided once the EIR becomes available to the Public.
2. Consider supporting the FCA through additional donations that will assist in legal and other needed resources (see DONATE link below)
3. Provide the Steering Committee with any contacts you may have with development consultants such as traffic engineers, civil engineers, noise specialists, etc.
4. Provide the Steering Committee with any contacts you may have with Orange County Planning Commissioners and Board of Supervisors.
5. Prepare to attend Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor meetings when public hearings are scheduled. We will also keep you informed as those dates are scheduled.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm and support.  Together we can Save The Racquet Club!

Watch here for updates regarding the undesired conversion of the Racquet Club to high-density condos.

Be sure to sign the petition in the right hand column.

To sign up for Save the Racquet Club Email Updates, please email Steering Committee member Lori Chew at lorichew98@gmail.com.