ORANGE : Mayor Sees Renewal, Growth as Key Issues

Dealing with growth and renewal promises to dominate the civic agenda for 1990 in Orange, says Mayor Don E. Smith.

Residents have swamped public meetings on the Irvine Co.’s plans for a massive development of 12,350 housing units, along with a recreation center, golf course and civic center, in east Orange. Many have expressed concerns about new traffic that would be generated by the project.

The 11-square-mile development, which includes Irvine Lake, would ultimately add 34,000 new residents to the city. The earliest phases of the 20-year project have won approval from city agencies.

To deal with the proposal and plans to build high-rises at its western end, the city might establish a growth management plan, Smith said.

Also in 1990, Smith predicted, the county and the city will reach agreement on an expansion of the Theo Lacy Jail. The city and county are now in litigation over the extent of the expansion, but Smith said he expects a settlement that will resolve some issues, including the facility’s security level and the number of inmates to be housed there.

There is also some new construction this year.

A hiring hall for dayworkers should be completed this year on McPherson Road in the El Modena area, Smith said recently. The hall would serve as a resource center, offering English classes, amnesty programs and other social services to workers and low-income residents, Smith said.

Plans for the Santa Fe Depot redevelopment project will move ahead this year, Smith said. The city recently completed negotiations to purchase the depot at Chapman Avenue and Atchison Street, he said.

Equipment for repairing tracks is stored on the grounds of the depot but should be gone by March. Then the site might be used for shops, restaurants and possibly a train museum, Smith said.

Another city project scheduled for 1990 completion is a new police station on Struck Avenue in northwest Orange, he said. The main police operation will move from its present location at City Hall, giving other city departments more room.

The city is also investigating the possibility of building a library in the Santiago Hills area, possibly in conjunction with Rancho Santiago College. A feasibility study may begin soon, Smith said.