Council to Discuss Foothill Ranch Survey

The results of a controversial phone survey of Foothill Ranch residents about annexation to Lake Forest are expected to be handed to the City Council on Tuesday.

City Manager Robert Dunek said he didn’t expect the council to take action on the survey tonight.

“We simply intend to provide the results of the survey and discuss [related issues] in some generalized terms,” he said.

With its tax-rich commercial and retail centers, newly developed Foothill Ranch has long been an object of desire for Lake Forest. However, the city’s overtures have been spurned by many Foothill Ranch residents, who say they aren’t interested and call the survey an unwelcome attempt to influence the community.

“Every poll we’ve taken has shown the people here are against annexation to Lake Forest,” said David Sparks, a member of CityHood Now, the Foothill Ranch incorporation committee. Sparks said pollsters told residents that becoming a city would double taxes in Foothill Ranch.

“We have concerns about the poll,” Sparks said. “If we had an unbiased poll, I’d be interested in what the results are.”

Lake Forest officials insist the poll was unbiased and stressed that an outside consultant was hired for the job.

The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 23161 Lake Center Drive, Suite 210. Information: (714) 461-3400.