Orange · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Orange public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybury Ranch billboard and dirt hauling concerns
Dan Swoish returned to flag a billboard he says violates the city's own sign rules and warned about 10,000 truckloads of dirt being hauled onto the Horton property, including a dirt dam across a riparian creek that he fears could wash out in rain.
Surplus land declarations for eleven city properties
The city put eleven properties — including the historic Royer Mansion, two Cypress Street homes, and the full Grand Street block — on the surplus land path, opening the door to future public-private development. Staff and the city attorney stressed the city keeps control and can pull properties back, and historic protections stay in place.
The Win~Dow restaurant at the former Texaco station
Two vacant historic gas station buildings in Old Towne will become a restaurant with walk-up service, outdoor dining and a full bar. Neighbors worried about the six-foot fence, the mechanical roof screen, and maintenance of decomposed granite. The committee approved it with conditions on lighting, fence color and trees.
New AT&T wireless facility near Eckhoff Street
AT&T is replacing an aging cell site with a new 70-foot tower disguised as a eucalyptus tree near the 57 freeway. It should improve wireless coverage and capacity in the area while blending in visually. OCTA raised access-coordination questions that staff and the applicant said won't affect the project.
Redevelopment of vacant Tustin Street commercial site with 71 homes
A long-vacant Best Buy store at 2375 N. Tustin Street could become 71 three-story small-lot single-family homes. Supporters say it adds much-needed for-sale housing, walkability, and about $183,000 a year in city revenue; neighbors worry three-story walls and windows will overlook their one-story condos and mobile homes.
405 E. Toluca Avenue addition design compatibility
A family's long-stalled project to enlarge a tiny 1935 home ran into preservation objections over its flat roof, boxy massing, and ornate door. The committee approved it 3-1 but forced a pitched roof and design fixes before permits.
15-home subdivision at 715 W. Fletcher Avenue
A vacant 0.72-acre lot will become 15 detached three-story homes, including one affordable for-sale unit — a rarity the council praised. Neighbors' parking concerns were addressed with garage-parking rules in the HOA documents.
Rancho Ridge 11-home PUD at 647 N. Rancho Santiago Boulevard
An 11-home planned development on a deep 2-acre parcel near the nursery and a church. Supporters say it's exactly the kind of family housing Orange rarely builds; a neighbor raised concerns about rats, traffic at the four-way stop, and street conditions.
Planning Commission leadership transition
Isaiah Leslie takes over as Chair and Shannon Tucker as Vice Chair effective February 20, 2026, with outgoing Chair Alison Vejar praised for her service.
Katella Avenue parking for senior housing visitors
Visitors to the Katella Terrace senior apartments get 3-hour parking instead of a 20-minute limit left over from the site's bank days.
Friends Church relocation to historic warehouse
Friends Church Orange is moving across Almond Avenue into the old 'hangar' warehouse, an adaptive reuse project that drew zero opposition. The church runs a monthly food pantry serving about 200 families and partners with youth services; commissioners credited it with turning the packing house from the city's top crime spot into a community asset.
Veterinary hospital at 1012 N. Tustin Street
A vacant commercial building gets a new urgent-care veterinary hospital with extended hours, filling a long-empty space. Parking was the main hurdle — the site physically holds 24 spaces versus a code requirement of 33 — but a parking demand study showed actual peak demand of 22.
Sully Miller dirt hauling route for Tract 18163
240 truck trips a day for six months to grade the old Sully Miller site — the fight was over whether any trucks would cut through Mabury Ranch. The approved plan makes the land-bridge route primary and reserves the neighborhood route for a documented emergency only.
Early Childhood Development Initiative
Orange County is launching a new initiative to boost early childhood development. This means more resources and programs aimed at helping young children and their families thrive.
Affordable Senior Housing
Orange is getting a new affordable housing development specifically for seniors. This means older residents will have more options to live affordably in the community they know and love.