Legislation Details

File #: 26-0395    Version: 1
Type: PC Public Hearing Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 6/24/2026 In control: Planning Commission
On agenda: 8/17/2026 Final action:
Title: Public Hearing to consider an ordinance amending the Orange Municipal Code to replace the content of Chapter 17.17 with new provisions addressing historic and cultural resources and update Chapter 17.08 to establish a new Heritage Commission and associated purview to replace the Design Review Committee, and finding of CEQA exemption.
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Attachment 1 Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 17-26 Including Draft Historic Preservation Ordinance, 3. Attachment 2 Draft Amendment to Orange Municipal Code Section 17.08 (Redline), 4. Attachment 3 Draft Mills Act Program Guidelines, 5. Attachment 4 Orange Municipal Code Chapter 17.17 Historic Districts, 6. Attachment 5 Historic Preservation Ordinance Working Draft presented at the August 5, 2026, Design Review Committee meeting with redline changes
TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission

THRU: Hayden Beckman, Planning Manager

FROM: Anna Pehoushek, Assistant Community Development Director

1. SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider an ordinance amending the Orange Municipal Code to replace the content of Chapter 17.17 with new provisions addressing historic and cultural resources and update Chapter 17.08 to establish a new Heritage Commission and associated purview to replace the Design Review Committee, and finding of CEQA exemption.
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2. SUMMARY
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A draft Historic Preservation Ordinance has been prepared to comprehensively address the management of historic and cultural resources including properties and districts, as well as archaeological and tribal resources. The proposed Ordinance also establishes the structure and responsibilities of a Heritage Commission, the establishment of a City Historic Register and related criteria and processes for resource designation. Content also addresses demolition, relocation, property maintenance, and preservation incentives.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
1. Conduct and close the Public Hearing.
2. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 17-26 recommending the City Council adopt an Ordinance amending Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code to replace Chapter 17.17, Historic Districts, in its entirety with a new Chapter 17.17 entitled Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources, and associated definitions, provisions, and procedures to comprehensively address historical, cultural and tribal resources, and amending section 17.08 to replace the Design Review Committee with a Heritage Commission and establish associated purview.
3. Find the ordinance exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
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4. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Orange Municipal Code addresses historic resources in Chapter 17.17, Historic Districts (Attachment 4). The content of this Chapter is limited t...

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