South County’s Needs Must Not Be Discounted : Incorporation Movement Speaks to Area’s Frustrations

The incorporation sentiment now brewing in South County reflects a growing sense of community identity, which can be a healthy thing. But while there is some support on the Board of Supervisors for the new restiveness, it is wise to await more data to see whether further incorporations actually make sense.

In the meantime, the feeling that many in the south have that they are ignored or have stepchild status within the larger orbit of Orange County politics and government ought to be regarded as a harbinger of change and as a powerful message to the county’s leadership. Those in the Hall of Administration who, pressured by the wishes of powerful development interests, would ignore the grass-roots concerns of residents to the south invite not only geographical splintering but outright hostility.

The evolution of cities in Orange County has a long history. There are now 31 of them, and the southern part of the county, which has been the site of incorporation activity in recent years, has even more under discussion.

While the county has considerable experience with these movements, county government increasingly has found itself caught between the demands of Sacramento and the expectations of new far-flung neighborhoods. Orange County has the double burden of trying to make ends meet in the wake of bankruptcy, and to cope with the prospect that incorporation would drain considerable sales and property tax revenue.

Incorporation sentiment often turns on the perception that residents are giving more than they are getting, and that they can do a much better job of controlling their own destiny. This is especially true of late in South County, which has been feeling put-upon. This sentiment arises most directly recently from the weight of pro-commercial airport sentiment for the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in northern cities and of the cumulative pressures felt by development.

There are now several proposals, one which would create a 32nd city by gathering 10 communities as diverse as Rancho Santa Margarita and Trabuco Canyon. Supporters of that have begun collecting signatures in hopes of putting the issue before voters in 1997.

A good question in that instance is whether bigger is better: For example, Laguna Hills Councilwoman Melody Carruth has argued that the more cities the better for South County, because it would increase responsiveness of local government units. She notes that this is an evolving discussion, because, for example, in 1988, residents rejected a proposal to incorporate foothill communities.

There are also other proposals that would entail a separate city for Rancho Santa Margarita and one that would encompass Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills and possibly Trabuco Canyon. Within each of these proposals is a host of other considerations that involve various sacrifices or benefits. One danger for those considering incorporation is that communities will be pitted against each other.

The question of how many cities would be best has also been raised. Irvine Mayor Mike Ward argues that there is more power for South County in more cities. He reasons that they would be better represented on powerful regional boards where cities are represented, and therefore a larger number of votes could be tallied for South County concerns.

The incorporation picture certainly is different from the 1980s, when a period of rapid formations took place as municipalities were encouraged by local control and a hefty local tax base. In addition to bankruptcy in the 1990s, recession, increasing demands for revenue from Sacramento and a 1993 law making incorporation more costly for would-be cities have changed the complexion.

South County is at a crossroads, and the incorporation issue cuts to the core of many of its most heartfelt issues. Today, there is a sophisticated and self-conscious population in place with definite ideas about new development and growth, and about the kinds of changes that would be brought about by a new airport or prison at El Toro.

While these restive voices are heard and the debate plays out, the county at large would do well to keep a responsive ear to an important segment of its population.