Last October, when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the City and OTPA/OLA it seemed to represent an opportunity by the City of Orange to leverage the expertise of these two historic preservation groups to finally create a comprehensive historic preservation ordinance for the City. These two groups include not only serious preservationists, but also include architects, former DRC members, and former planning professionals.
The countless hours, time, and effort -- and all on a volunteer basis -- by these two groups seems to have been largely discounted by the somewhat sudden appearance of a proposed ordinance drafted by the City in its stead (item 8.1 on tonight’s agenda).
Given the ongoing importance of historic preservation for the City of Orange, I would encourage the City Council to bring this ordinance, developed in collaboration with the City and qualified local historic preservation groups, forward for consideration.
Credibility: the quality of being trusted and believed in. I suggest the path to this night and any decisions on this matter will tell us the answer. As a committed student to Orange history and a credible witness in Orange for over 43 years, think before our new City Manager and Attorney were born, I have attached the detail record of the action, motion, and votes associated with the MOU from October 22, 2024. Best to do things correctly tonight and not create further ill will.
The adoption of this Historic Preservation ordinance is long overdue. This was included in the General Plan update many years ago as I was a member of the GPAC. As a board member of OTPA, (Preservation Chair), the absence of a Preservation Ordinance created a roadblock for the inclusion of potential historic resources and creates many other issues. This draft ordinance is well written and all inclusive and I fully support its adoption,
Thank you,
Jeff Frankel
384 S. Orange St.
The DRC will transform into a hyper-focused "Heritage Committee," giving a five-person voting body the power to stop any project in the City of Orange for any arbitrary reason involving a property over 50 years old (over 75% of properties in Orange). The City has been advised and even paid for an outside consultant to be told that the review process is too cumbersome and is deterring healthy development. If even half of this proposed ordinance goes into effect, no architect, builder, or business-minded person will ever look to develop in the City of Orange and will look elsewhere.
These decisions and proposals are being made by people who have NEVER BUILT ANYTHING.
I request that Council bring this forward for consideration for adoption. Let us join other cities demonstrating their care for preservation while allowing exciting, profitable new development such as Long Beach, Oakland, Pasadena, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. A well-crafted historic preservation ordinance is not intended to hamper development, and this is seen in the ordinance in consideration here, which has been worked on collaboratively for months by the City and knowledgeable volunteers. The assertion by the opposing guest below is WRONG--no one will have any authority to "go inside your building" because of this ordinance, and there is nothing in the ordinance that will add to the City's deficit.
Susanna Branch, OPTA
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
I want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption. 5.3 is good for the historic preservation of all of Orange. Thank You. Vickie Laughlin - 320 S. Olive Street
I believe historic properties in the Olive neighborhood, (especially in Orange city limits), El Modena and multiple early homes throughout the city contribute to the fabric of Orange and deserve oversight so they aren't demolished or severely altered beyond recognition.
Last October, when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the City and OTPA/OLA it seemed to represent an opportunity by the City of Orange to leverage the expertise of these two historic preservation groups to finally create a comprehensive historic preservation ordinance for the City. These two groups include not only serious preservationists, but also include architects, former DRC members, and former planning professionals.
The countless hours, time, and effort -- and all on a volunteer basis -- by these two groups seems to have been largely discounted by the somewhat sudden appearance of a proposed ordinance drafted by the City in its stead (item 8.1 on tonight’s agenda).
Given the ongoing importance of historic preservation for the City of Orange, I would encourage the City Council to bring this ordinance, developed in collaboration with the City and qualified local historic preservation groups, forward for consideration.
Tony Trabucco
Old Towne Orange Resident
Credibility: the quality of being trusted and believed in. I suggest the path to this night and any decisions on this matter will tell us the answer. As a committed student to Orange history and a credible witness in Orange for over 43 years, think before our new City Manager and Attorney were born, I have attached the detail record of the action, motion, and votes associated with the MOU from October 22, 2024. Best to do things correctly tonight and not create further ill will.
I request that the council bring this forward for consideration and adoption.
I want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption.
I support bringing forward the adoption of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. (Supported by someone who *has* built something. 😁)
I enthusiastically support this proposed Historic Preservation Ordinance. City Council should bring this forward for immediate approval.
I want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption.
Bring this forward for consideration
I want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption.
I support bringing this resolution forward. Thank you! - Resident of S. Grand Street
The adoption of this Historic Preservation ordinance is long overdue. This was included in the General Plan update many years ago as I was a member of the GPAC. As a board member of OTPA, (Preservation Chair), the absence of a Preservation Ordinance created a roadblock for the inclusion of potential historic resources and creates many other issues. This draft ordinance is well written and all inclusive and I fully support its adoption,
Thank you,
Jeff Frankel
384 S. Orange St.
We want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption 5.3
The DRC will transform into a hyper-focused "Heritage Committee," giving a five-person voting body the power to stop any project in the City of Orange for any arbitrary reason involving a property over 50 years old (over 75% of properties in Orange). The City has been advised and even paid for an outside consultant to be told that the review process is too cumbersome and is deterring healthy development. If even half of this proposed ordinance goes into effect, no architect, builder, or business-minded person will ever look to develop in the City of Orange and will look elsewhere.
These decisions and proposals are being made by people who have NEVER BUILT ANYTHING.
I support bringing this resolution forward for consideration for adoption. Historic preservation is the heart and soul of our city.
I request that Council bring this forward for consideration for adoption. Let us join other cities demonstrating their care for preservation while allowing exciting, profitable new development such as Long Beach, Oakland, Pasadena, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. A well-crafted historic preservation ordinance is not intended to hamper development, and this is seen in the ordinance in consideration here, which has been worked on collaboratively for months by the City and knowledgeable volunteers. The assertion by the opposing guest below is WRONG--no one will have any authority to "go inside your building" because of this ordinance, and there is nothing in the ordinance that will add to the City's deficit.
Susanna Branch, OPTA
Forgot to tic the box for support. Vickie Laughlin
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
I want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption. 5.3 is good for the historic preservation of all of Orange. Thank You. Vickie Laughlin - 320 S. Olive Street
I want the City Council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption.
I believe historic properties in the Olive neighborhood, (especially in Orange city limits), El Modena and multiple early homes throughout the city contribute to the fabric of Orange and deserve oversight so they aren't demolished or severely altered beyond recognition.
We want the council to bring this forward for consideration for adoption