The Planned Community of Mission Viejo: Changes to the Recreation Center

Have you ever wondered why all the greenbelt paths lead and disembark from one area within the neighborhood – our Library and the Recreation Center? This was no accident – it was by design. That’s because it was always intended that that this area be the focal civic and recreation/community area for the community as part of the master plan.

The Mission Viejo HOA has received many inquiries regarding our former Recreation Center. The building and the property have a use restriction associated with it since it was dedicated solely for recreational uses as specified through series of negotiated and amended Annexation Agreements with the developer, the Mission Viejo Company and the City of Aurora. None of the townhomes or other areas have any dedicated recreation spaces. Additionally, the property is specified on the general plan map for the Mission Viejo Development and is tied to these contractually binding statements: “All general plans registered and recorded hereunder shall be binding upon the applicants thereof their successors and assigns and shall restrict and limit all development within the planned community zone district to all conditions and limitations set forth in such plans.”

The Recreation Center parcel at 15528 Hampden Circle is demarcated in the general plan map with a specific use stated as Recreation Center. The City of Aurora recognizes by City Ordinance that any change to the property’s approved use would need to go under a general plan amendment process which would require a public hearing, input from all the Mission Viejo HOA’s (Mission Viejo, Seville, Cherry Glen, and Southlight) and gain approval by the City’s Planning Commission and ultimately by City Council.

Are you concerned about the fate of our recreation center? If you have an interest in helping with this very important endeavor please e-mail us at webmaster@missionviejohoa.org