Orange · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Orange public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grijalva skate park regulatory delay
The council awarded a $2.5 million contract to finally build the long-awaited skatepark at Grijalva Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Playground Equipment Replacement — Eisenhower vs. Hart Park
Two 20-plus-year-old playgrounds are worn out, and the city can only afford to replace one this year with $800,000. The commission chose Eisenhower's lower playground; Hart Park stays on the list for next year. Commissioner Kushon wants the city's unused sponsorship program tapped to help pay for more.
Chapman University PILOT negotiations collapse
Chapman — with a billion-dollar endowment and tax-exempt real estate — has refused to keep negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes. Councilmember Barrios and Mayor Slater publicly blamed each other for the collapse. Staff will study what legal tools exist to get large nonprofits to contribute to city costs.
Charter elementary school on West Chapman Avenue
A new California Republic Leadership Academy charter school will bring up to 864 students and 45 staff to two existing commercial buildings on West Chapman, with play areas replacing 111 parking spaces. Supporters say it fills a need for quality education on the city's west side; neighbors worry about traffic, parking and noise on a busy arterial.
Massage establishment moratorium and permanent regulations
The city has about 90 massage businesses, and residents say many are fronts for illegal activity, including possible human trafficking. The extended moratorium freezes new parlors and expansions while staff writes tougher permanent rules — potentially including uncovered windows, lighting requirements, and easier license suspensions.
Abandoned and vacant property standards ordinance
New rules — with fees and fines — for maintaining and securing unoccupied or abandoned properties were continued to June 23 while staff works with the apartment association on clarifications.
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.
Historic design standards enforcement in Old Towne
The committee wrestled with whether combining halo-lit lettering with gooseneck lamps fits the historic district's character. Members noted no other Old Towne business uses both, and pushed the applicant toward globe lights that illuminate the sidewalk instead of washing the building.
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.
Late-distributed staff materials hamper public review
OPTA repeatedly complained that agenda packets and historic assessments arrive days or hours before meetings, making meaningful public review impossible. Committee members agreed and flagged it as a recurring problem.
SB 707 Brown Act modernization compliance
A resident claims the mayor cut his speaking time at the February 24 meeting in violation of the Brown Act, and says he filed a cure-and-correct letter on March 10 with a 30-day response deadline.
Old Towne traffic safety and homelessness concerns
Cars keep crashing into the historic Plaza park — 43 incursions since 2018, mostly drunk drivers at night. The council approved new bollards and turning off misleading park lights, but held off on pricier splitter islands and raised crosswalks pending feasibility and funding study.
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.
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.
Tobacco retailer permit overhaul
Several 7-Eleven franchisees and convenience store representatives urged the council to revise the tobacco ordinance before its July 1 vape ban takes effect, saying it punishes law-abiding businesses. The city manager said staff is working on adjustments and will meet with retailers.
Grijalva Park Master Plan update
The city is updating the Grijalva Park master plan with a community questionnaire and a public workshop on March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Sports Center. Residents can shape what goes into the park's future, including a coming skatepark.
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.
Old Towne Plaza cleanliness and parking structure conditions
Merchants and council members described feces, trash, rats, and dirty stairwells around the Plaza and Lemon Street parking structure. The council agreed to restore steam cleaning funded by parking meter revenue and to examine structure cleaning, cameras, and broken space indicators.
Ambulance Operator Program Enhancement
The Fire Department wants to staff all ambulances with non-sworn ambulance operators instead of sworn firefighters, freeing 12 firefighters to restore four-person engine staffing for the first time since 1995. It costs about $1 million a year to add 18 AOs but is projected to earn $2.6 million more over five years and could lower residents' insurance premiums via a better ISO rating.
Water Division employee retention and labor negotiations
City water workers said Orange is the lowest-paid city in the area and is losing trained employees to other agencies after spending thousands on certifications. They asked the council to make compensation competitive as labor negotiations continue in closed session.
City employee contract dispute and strike
A dozen city water, parks, fleet, and maintenance workers told the council they're on strike or losing colleagues to better-paying cities, and asked for a fair contract with competitive wages. Several said they can't keep up with the cost of living on city pay.
Hart Park Pool reopening with private operator
The pool will reopen year-round under Premier Aquatic Services, but swim lessons jump from about $5 to $15 each, and residents questioned whether the city got the best deal. Drowning-prevention advocates supported the program but questioned the contract terms.