Some Santa Ana residents say Tustin's plans represent an attempt to steer the city away from urban pressures confronted by its larger neighbor. But Santa Ana could be a model for Tustin. This is a true city, a true example of what you can do with diversity. School officials say Santa Ana is also a model of what happens when land for new schools runs short. Officials have resorted to considering eminent domain to get scarce school sites for the district's 60,000 students.
Tustin leaders say they can only do so much for their neighbor.
Giving 100 acres to a school anywhere in the project would put profitability at risk, said Shingleton. Dave Chapman, a real estate consultant with Principal Pierpoint Advisors in Newport Beach, agreed that the 100-acre corner parcel is too valuable for a school. Regardless, say Tustin leaders, Santa Ana's troubles are not their fault. You have to have vision and foresight to see these trends coming. We don't want overcrowding in our schools.