General Plan Update Orange City General Plan Update may be approved as soon as Tuesday, March 9 by City Council. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who sent in letters and/or have been involved in the General Plan Update process. Even though the proposed density levels were not reduced to our recommended maximum we were still very successful in limiting the impacts to our historic district. To date the general Plan Update has been about a six-year journey from 2004 when two OTPA board members were invited to participate as members of the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). Without OTPA’s involvement and community input the plan as it relates to Old Towne may have been approved close to what was originally proposed. Although the plan has not been officially adopted at this writing, we are confident that the densities on spoke streets will remain at .6 FAR within a second Old Towne Mixed Use designation (that we proposed), from a proposed Old Towne Mixed use designation of a maximum of 1.0 FAR. We also convinced the city to lower densities in parts of the depot area from a 1.5 FAR to a Max of 1.0 FAR, to revise the Circulation and Mobility plan and clarify many other aspects of the plan relating to Old Towne. Even though the FAR is much higher than we would have liked it is likely these revised maximum densities will not be realized due to the city’s design standards ordinance. “If OTPA was not present watching/commenting throughout the process we would surely be looking at a much different plan,” said Jeff Frankel. Council will most likely come back to discuss this further before approval. It is our hope with further discussion council could lower the FAR closer to our desired .35 FAR as the .6 FAR is almost twice the FAR that currently exists on the ground. For those unfamiliar with the term, FAR or floor area ratio refers to the relationship between the lot size and the total amount of floor area built on the lot. For example, a 2000 square foot home on a 6500 square foot lot would equal under a .31 FAR (2000 divided by 6500 equals .3769 FAR). A .6 FAR would equate to a 4000 square foot building on the same size lot. We will further need community support and involvement, as there are two pending projects we need to address. One is the Depot Specific Plan which has been a real challenge so far, as well as the Design Standards Update. We need to work closely with the city to ensure that the Standards are not diluted in this process, so we need to pay close attention to the revisions proposed. We also should expect another Depot Specific Plan workshop soon. This plan also proposes unacceptable development that may adversely impact our cultural resources in the depot area. As we have seen with the General Plan Update the community’s involvement and support does make a difference. Compiled by Jeff Frankel, OTPA Preservation Chair. Please plan on attending the upcoming city council hearing comprehensive update to the General Plan in Council chambers The City Council has held two public hearings on the city's General Plan and EIR (Environmental Impact Report) on January 12 and January 26. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 9 at 7 p.m. for continued discussion of proposed land use changes. OTPA and many residents in Old Towne have great concern regarding the potential effects of adopting this current draft of the General Plan, which provides for substantial increases in density above what exists today. This means more traffic congestion and population density. We need to work together to make sure the General Plan is revised so that it does not allow for more buildings and/or bigger buildings than what we currently have. The City Council has already received more than 700 letters in opposition to the density and correlating traffic increases. But we need even more involvement and support from you. A letter was hand delivered to their offices at City Hall on Monday, February 2, 2010. Click to read the letter. (Letter to City Council).
Most Old Fashioned: 419 East Maple Avenue Most Beautiful: 339 East Palmyra Avenue Best Use of Lights: 357 South Center Street Most Original: 430 East Almond Avenue Best Block: 200 Block North Pine Street
Old Towne Preservation Association (“OTPA”) is opposed to the And the winner is... Three lucky attendees won the opportunity drawing at our last OTPA general meeting on December 2. After screening the fabulously produced documentary presenting the movies and commercials filmed in Old Towne Orange, the winners each won a DVD featuring our fine city. Braid MacDonald took home "Benchwarmers", Annalee Binswanger now owns "Big Mama's House", and Barbara Mantor won "That Thing You Do". Cheers!
Old Towne:
The General Plan update was reviewed for the first time by the Planning Commission on Monday, August 3rd meeting. Commissioner Steiner had to recuse himself due to a conflict leaving four members to make the recommendation to council. It went well for OTPA as all commissioners were somewhat in agreement that the density levels in areas of Old Towne may be excessive and that further information was needed especially regarding the Depot Specific Plan area. Commissioners asked for a survey of the area depicting current on-the-ground conditions so that they can make a comparison to the densities proposed in the plan. The Old Towne/Santa Fe Depot land use portion was continued to September 21st so that staff can prepare FAR (Floor Area Ratio) maps and provide additional information to the commission. We hope the City will finally understand that residents are opposed to the densities proposed in the GP Update. The over 700 letters sent from residents to the City had an impact. We would like to thank our Planning Commissioners for realizing density levels are inappropriate for our historic district and especially Commissioner Imboden, who took the lead in clarifying staff’s position on proposed density levels and possible alternatives. Also, Commissioner Merino who questioned staff, as well, for clarification. It is far from over so we do need the community’s continued support to preserve our national register district. OTPA is not opposed to density levels that are project appropriate, but to blanket areas with high density designations is inappropriate and will create an adverse impact on historic resources. The Planning Commission Meeting Schedule for the General Plan Update is:
The City of Orange has been named one of the "best places to live" by Orange Coast Magazine. Read about our city and the other great places that made the list: Click Here.
2009 Old Towne Orange Home Tour Mark your calendars. The wonderful Old Towne Orange Home Tour will be here
And The Winner... for the door prize at our general meeting was member Angie Rust. She was awarded two framed Old Towne Orange period photos donated by Patty Ricci. Good going Angie!
Anne Siebert Memorial Scholarship Fund We are pleased to report that as of July 2009 our fundraising efforts have been very successful. And The Winner Is... Three members won terrific prizes at May's general meeting. Rosemarie Williams collected a gift certificate to the Hair and Nail Mall, Brian Parrott won the handmade wooden frame by Ty Fitzsimmons Woodworking, and Kris Olsen received Green and Green: Masterworks, the beautiful hardcover book by Arts & Craft author, Bruce Smith and photographer, Alexander Vertikoff. Congratulations to our OTPA members!
OTPA's 15th Annual On Sunday, May 3rd, Citrus City Grille was filled with preservation enthusiasts, residents and our own "VIPs" Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and Mayor pro tem, Tita Smith. All were anxiously waiting to hear "who won". To read more about this exciting event and view photos, click here.
In Memorium Anne Siebert was one of OTPA's founders and an ardent and active supporter through these many years. On April 7, 2009, she lost her battle with cancer. Anne served on the OTPA Board, in various positions for many years including President. Both she and her late husband, Russ, chaired the OTPA booth during the International Street Fair for over ten years. Yesterday, a gathering of family and friends paid tribute at the Plaza with Mayor Pro Tem, Tita Smith, presenting a Proclamation for Anne's various contributions to the City of Orange and offered it to her children, Dave, Pete and Carolyn. OTPA would like to take a moment to say thank you Anne...you will be missed. If you would like to read the article from the O.C. Register, please click here http://www.ocregister.com/articles/siebert-old-towne-2361923-orange-people
General Plan Update 4/14/09 Update: A designated group from OTPA's Board of Directors, met with Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, Director of Community Development, Alice Angus, and the City's Principal Planner, Anna Pehoushek. We voiced our concerns about the Old Towne Orange portion of the City's proposed General Plan. They listened to us and, hopefully, are taking our suggestions into consideration. We will also be setting up meetings with each member of the City Council. However, until the General Plan is adopted, we must stay alert and involved. We'll keep you updated, so please check back here from time to time!
We also suggest that you visit the City's website page that directly deals with the proposed changes. Click here. Click on any of the pdfs of the various Focus Areas to view a map of the proposed land use changes and the Draft Environmental Report. OTPA received many emails of support and we thank you for that. We also received some questions from you and hope that the following information will help. Check out our Links and Resources page for additional tours and events in Orange and the county. |
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