Santa Ana Heights : Redevelopment Plan Approved by Board

The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved the redevelopment plan for Santa Ana Heights, near John Wayne Airport, a crucial step in financing the county’s program for insulating homes against jet noise or purchasing them.

The action allows the board, acting as a redevelopment agency, to collect property taxes in advance from developers who want to build offices in the area--money to pay for sound insulation and the purchase of homes from residents who want to get out.

The county previously provided seed money to get the programs started, but so far no homes have been insulated and none has been purchased.

County officials said applications are being processed but that appraisals of insulation needs and purchase prices are still pending.

Few people have sought insulation, as expected, because once the county pays for the sound-proofing, residents must sign an agreement to accept flights over their houses.

Ten homes are currently being considered for purchase.

The county intends to resell the properties to commercial developers.

About 100 residents attended Wednesday’s board session, but only one testified against the program, claiming that it is better for county planning commissions to make land-use decisions than redevelopment agencies because laws affecting planning commissions are easier to understand. He gave no examples of legal differences, however.

Controversial land-use decisions to be administered by the redevelopment panel were made last year as part of a $34-million plan to replace 206 homes south of the airport runways with office buildings while retaining a small residential equestrian community for families reluctant to give in to the noise.

Still to come, however, are specific details for redeveloping each parcel. The details will be contained in a so-called “specific plan” to be issued sometime in the fall, officials said.