A HUGE WIN FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN ORANGE!

Tonight, the Orange City Council approved the first reading of the long-awaited Historic Preservation Ordinance (HPO)! This is a major milestone for historic preservation in our city and one that has been a long time coming.

For nearly two years, OTPA has worked closely with Orange Legacy Alliance (OLA), City staff, and the City’s consultants to help develop an ordinance that will better protect Orange’s historic and cultural resources. Once adopted, the HPO will also bring the City into compliance with a long-standing commitment in its General Plan.

The ordinance also includes restructuring the current Design Review Committee into a new Heritage Commission, which will be responsible for reviewing matters involving the City’s historic resources.

We’re almost at the finish line! The ordinance must still return to City Council for a second reading, tentatively scheduled for either November 24 or December 8 (TBD). If approved, the ordinance will be formally adopted!

This is an exciting and important step forward for Orange’s preservation community. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to get us to this point. We’re not quite done yet, but tonight is certainly worth celebrating!