Orange · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Orange public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Visual clutter and street banners in Old Town
Two sign projects in the Old Towne Historic District are before the Committee — one continued from October and one new illuminated wall sign request. These decisions shape the look and character of Orange's historic downtown storefronts.
Proposed pocket park via $1M extreme heat grant
The city applied for a $1 million state grant to turn a vacant, fenced city-owned lot near Grijalva Park into a shaded pocket park with a playground, native trees, and trail connections. A decision is expected in early 2027, and the council would have to accept the funds.
Revisions to the Santiago Creek Strategic Plan
The commission is setting up subcommittees and hunting grants to actually build the creek projects in the newly adopted Strategic Plan — habitat restoration, trail gap closures, signage, and community amenities. The City Council has the final say on the implementation strategy.
El Camino Real bell markers along the creek
The historical subcommittee is planning El Camino Real bell markers along the creek, with Grijalva Park as a possible centerpiece location since the old and new Camino routes split there. Funding hasn't been identified yet, but grants are being explored.
Holiday Skate Center preservation
The 53-year-old roller rink closed August 2 ahead of a proposed townhome redevelopment at 157 and 175 North Wayfield Street. Nearly twenty skaters, coaches, and parents begged the council to delay demolition or reconsider the rezoning, but the item isn't formally before the council yet, so no action was taken.
Rampart Street Park Project design
The Council approved leases with the County for two west Orange park properties — a 10-acre site key to the OC Riverwalk and a 1-acre Rampart Street site planned for a walking path, seating, and dog area.
Proposed Rexford Warehouse at 2411 North Glassell Street
Neighbors again urged the council to require a full environmental impact report for Rexford Industrial's 300,000-square-foot warehouse at 2411 North Glassell, citing diesel fumes, traffic, and its proximity to homes and Fletcher Elementary.
New Permit Parking Opportunity Area
Two residential streets won permit parking to keep commuters and overflow parkers from taking curb space — Washington Avenue and Almond Avenue. Both now go to the City Council for final sign-off.
Speed limit ordinance amendments
Using new state law flexibility, the city surveyed all 186 speed zones and recommends lowering limits on 47 segments — mostly near schools, parks, and homes. One commissioner flagged data discrepancies, so staff will double-check the study before it goes to the council.
Water system and street infrastructure contracts
A batch of consent items would advance water reliability and street safety: Well 29 equipping, an emergency generator at Reservoir 4, on-call emergency pipeline repairs, a traffic signal at Walnut Avenue and Orange Street, and water facility surveillance cameras.
Cybersecurity and police technology grants
The council accepted over $490,000 in police grants for drug trafficking enforcement, alcohol policing, and traffic enforcement — after debate over federal data-sharing and immigration enforcement safeguards.
Orange Mall Redevelopment and AB 2011 Concern
A resident who lives behind the old Orange Mall blasted the condition of the site and her district representative's lack of communication. The Village at Orange specific plan development was among the top-voted priorities.
Homeless shelter and low barrier navigation center ordinance
State law forces Orange to allow homeless shelters by right in industrial zones and navigation centers in mixed-use zones with only objective standards. The Commission wants fixes before recommending adoption — the delay keeps the city's housing element certification at risk if it drags past September.
Safety concerns at Hart Park
A resident described escalating homeless activity around Hart Park, including serious incidents near his HOA, and said families no longer feel safe using the park. He praised Orange PD's response but urged the Council to be proactive.
Future of the July 3rd celebration
The July 3 USA250 event is canceled after the fundraising subcommittee raised over $15,000 but fell short of what was needed to safely stage it. The council had ruled out general fund money, so donors will be refunded and staff are planning alternate celebrations.
Grijalva skate park regulatory delay
The council awarded a $2.5 million contract to finally build the long-awaited skatepark at Grijalva Park.
No revenue activities at West Orange park site
A councilmember pitched hard for the long-delayed riverbed park, noting nothing recreational has been built west of the railroad tracks since 1975. The county's levee project is the holdup; the council agreed to keep it prioritized and monitored.
Sponsorship and naming-rights policy underused
The council approved the Grijalva skatepark and Olive Park netting projects, with groundbreaking in July. Council also pushed back on the $800,000 playground budget and asked about more pickleball courts. Commissioner Ahlswede urged staff to actually use the city's existing sponsorship policy to offset costs instead of drawing on the general fund.
Homeless shelter and Low Barrier Navigation Center regulations
A speaker asked the city to keep pushing low-income housing, and the council agreed to name homelessness reduction explicitly in the quality-of-life goal. The county's latest count reportedly shows homelessness down nearly 50% year over year.
Winery/brewery tasting site in Old Town packing house
The Car-nnoisseur Café's beer and wine approval raised questions about parking spillover near two churches and the Plaza. State law (AB 2097) blocks the city from imposing minimum parking near the Metrolink station, so commissioners had to weigh street-parking impacts they can't regulate. A church 489 feet away was left out of the staff report's sensitive-receptor list — an oversight staff acknowledged.
Comprehensive sign code update
Committee members want the city to proactively identify and protect iconic signs — like the rooster sign on East Chapman and the lost Angel Motel sign — rather than requiring owners to apply for the designation. The El Camino Real bells and the Salman Chevrolet flashing sign were also flagged.
Orange and Maple two-way stop safety
Cut-through drivers treat Maple like a racetrack — one resident's husband was knocked off his mobility scooter. Speed cushions get a six-month trial with data collected before and after.
Proposed City Charter on November ballot
Tavoularis wants Orange to explore becoming a charter city for more local control, following Fullerton and Fountain Valley — staff will bring back a proposal.
Mills Act Program Overhaul and Fee Deferral
New draft guidelines would tighten the Mills Act property-tax reduction program for historic homes — limiting contracts per year and prioritizing structural, plumbing, and electrical work over cosmetic remodels. Supporters say it restores the program's preservation focus; each contract reduces city property tax revenue.
Residential permit parking eligibility in Old Towne
Since paid meters went in downtown, residents on Olive, Lemon and Almond streets can't park near their homes. The commission approved permit parking for Olive Street, but neighbors on surrounding blocks fear the problem will simply move to them.
Garages potentially converting to ADUs
A resident told the council that ADU rules on setbacks and height limits aren't being enforced consistently, putting the burden on neighbors. She asked the council to ensure all projects are held to the same standard.
St. John's Lutheran School modernization
A century-old school gets an interior remodel, second-story mezzanine with terrace, and roof replacement to serve the next generation of fourth and fifth graders while staying compatible with the historic district.
Historic Preservation Ordinance (No. 14-26)
Orange is considering a sweeping new ordinance governing historic properties, districts, archaeological resources, and a new Heritage Commission that would replace the DRC. It would also set up tiered project review and stronger penalties for unauthorized demolition. Residents packed the meeting to weigh in on definitions, property rights, and how much review homeowners will face.
Citywide Fee Schedule Update
The city's first fee overhaul in years cleared council, with an obsolete aviation fee axed and fire/police false-alarm fees headed toward consistency.
Library Rules of Conduct Policy
The library updated its rules for using public computers and the internet. It affects anyone who uses library computers or Wi-Fi.
Library as Voting Center and Election Outreach
The library will serve as a voting center for upcoming elections, and the Friends of the Library briefed members on election measures with city officials. September is also Library Card Sign-up Month.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program conformance
The city's five-year, $140.4 million capital plan covers street repairs, water and sewer lines, parks, and city facility upgrades. Eleven projects worth $7.2 million were deferred to help balance the general fund, and the water fund is projected to end the year with just $281,000.
13-Year Financial Sustainability and Investment Strategy
The city's long-term plan for spending an estimated $584 million in sales tax revenue over 13 years, focused on reserves, pensions, public safety, infrastructure, and economic growth. The council wants a companion plan showing cuts if the tax fails in November.
Speeding and drag racing on East Walnut Avenue
A resident near Grijalva Park reported ongoing drag racing endangering senior neighbors and requested speed bumps; she opened a police case with photos.
County island annexation direction
The council told staff to start pursuing annexation of El Modena, North El Modena, Olive Heights, and the Santiago Creek bond pits — but not Orange Park Acres or the RJ Noble/Lincoln-Glassell site. Staff returns by February 2027 with costs, terms, and community engagement results. Residents of the islands pushed back hard, wanting to be asked first.
Sully-Miller property open space
The city received a 30.75-acre open-space dedication at the Sully Miller site with conservation easements, and a new grant was secured for habitat restoration and invasive removal there.
Flock license plate reader concerns
The police chief wants more camera and surveillance technology, but two councilmembers pressed for privacy policies first — record retention, data sharing, and public records questions — before prioritizing expansion.
Posting and Distribution of Information Policy
The library board set new rules for what can be posted and distributed at Orange's libraries, separating indoor and outdoor postings. This affects community groups, nonprofits, and anyone wanting to share flyers at the library.
Library programming and outreach
Staff and the Friends group reported on summer programming, pop-up library outreach, and upcoming events, plus September being Library Card Sign-up Month — a push to get more residents signed up for library cards.
Overnight parking and vehicle storage in industrial area
Business owners on Poplar and Sequoia say the streets have become free long-term parking lots — with abandoned vehicles, RVs, and unhoused camping creating sanitation and safety problems. A 2–6 a.m. parking ban was approved to give police an enforcement tool.
School traffic safety at Esplanade Elementary
Neighbors say school pickup and drop-off traffic has made Esplanade Street unsafe, with U-turns, speeding, and accidents. The commission approved red curbs for visibility but neighbors wanted more police enforcement; staff will work with the school on traffic operations.
Proposed 1-cent sales tax measure for November 2026 ballot
The council approved a rebate program giving residents $500 back on new-car purchases at five dealerships — but only if voters pass the 1% sales tax in November. Critics called it a carve-out for wealthy dealership owners that ignores used-car buyers and the poorest residents.
Paid parking impact on Old Towne businesses
A yoga studio owner said attendance has dropped 36% since paid parking began and asked the council for a validation or discount program for repeat customers.
Firewise wildfire preparedness program
The council backed the city's response to the Grand Jury wildfire report and heard that the fire department is building a local Firewise program to help East Orange neighborhoods harden homes and lower insurance costs.
Mills Act Program Guidelines
New draft guidelines would tighten the Mills Act property-tax reduction program for historic homes — limiting contracts per year and prioritizing structural, plumbing, and electrical work over cosmetic remodels. Supporters say it restores the program's preservation focus; each contract reduces city property tax revenue.
No dedicated historic planner on staff
Committee members flagged that the city currently has no historic planner, yet the new ordinance would hand significant review duties to staff and a new commission. Member Donnie DeWees, who worked with three past city historic planners, questioned how the workload can be handled without that expertise.
Village Meats to Heim Specific Plan delay
A resident warned the specific plan for the former Orange Mall area still hasn't been released publicly, delaying tax revenue the city badly needs, and urged the council to keep the Walmart parcel's current zoning.
Proposed renaming of the Orange Public Library
The council pulled the plan to rename the library after the late Mayor Mark Murphy after strong public opposition over cost and the principle that the library belongs to everyone. It could return at a future meeting.
2026 Fourth of July fireworks enforcement results
The city's first full drone-assisted enforcement year went well: 386 calls, $240,000 in fines under the social host ordinance, and costs down 40% from 2025. Councilmembers floated bringing back the July 3rd event and buying GPS-equipped drones.
Prohibition of smoking in city parks (Ordinance No. 13-26)
The Council debated banning smoking in all city parks. Supporters cited secondhand smoke health risks and enforcement benefits against vagrancy; opponents warned of a slippery slope and enforcement costs. The item goes to the Parks Commission next.