The draft General Plan Update and associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) are now available for public review on the City's Website. The formal public review period for these documents ended on March 30, 2009. The first public hearing with the Planning Commission (PC) will occur on Monday, August 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Additional comments on the Plan may be made at the PC hearing, or submitted in writing at or before the PC hearing. Please continue to visit the General Plan Website for information about future public hearing dates.

The present City of Orange General Plan was adopted in 1989. Over the past 15 years, both the City and surrounding region have experienced significant growth and change. These changes have had implications on the physical, environmental, economic, social, and demographic characteristics of Orange. Community priorities have also changed during this time.

Early in 2004, the Community Development Department commenced a comprehensive update to the City's General Plan. The General Plan is a “blueprint” that documents the City's vision and provides goals, policies, and implementation measures that can be utilized by City staff and decision makers to proactively influence physical growth and change in a manner consistent with this vision. Private individuals and businesses seeking to invest in development or redevelopment within the City also use the General Plan. The comprehensive General Plan update provides the City with an up-to-date community vision and multi-disciplinary strategy for achieving that vision in the context of the land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, safety, noise, historic preservation, growth management, and urban design elements. Through public input and the integration of modern-day planning principles, the updated General Plan will enable the City to better define its image and position within the region, allow its commercial districts to better compete in the local and regional marketplace, maintain and reinforce existing neighborhood values, address local and regional environmental issues, and thus provide a better quality of life for the citizens of Orange.

For more information, please contact Anna Pehoushek, Principal Planner, in the Advance Planning Division at (714) 744-7220. Please click on the logo below to visit the General Plan website.