Foothills Sentry Page 4 DECEMBER 2025 JOHNSON MOTORCARS 34 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson 714-997-2567 982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867 gary@johnsonmotorcars.com @ramblingroseoc Circulation … 39,000 Published on the last Tuesday of each month and distributed to residences, businesses, libraries and civic centers. Printing by Advantage, Inc. 714-532-4406 foothillssentry.com 1107 E. Chapman Ave., #207 Orange, CA 92866 ©Foothills Sentry 2025 Publisher/Editor Anita Bennyhoff 1969-2013 Editor Tina Richards editor@foothillssentry.com Sports Editor Cliff Robbins sportseditor@att.net Graphic Designer Jef Maddock graphics@foothillssentry.com Advertising Sales Andie Mills advertising@foothillssentry.com 714-926-9299 Office Manager officemanager@foothillssentry.com Tough love Dear Editor: I have sent the following to the Orange City Council: We must focus on our future, which includes increasing funds available to repair and replace decaying infrastructure and address service cuts. We must get back on target to address these financial problems and other issues. We must stop living in the past and trying to prevent change from happening. There is much opportunity and a better and brighter future for our city if and only if we change our ways and work to make our better and brighter future happen. Just a few of the issues I am concerned about: 1. How will the structural deficit be ended by having enough property and sales taxes coming into to pay the current bills and to save money for our future? 2. What is the plan to replace the aging fire stations, which have sketchy living quarters and bays that don’t fit the new bigger fire trucks? 3. When are we ordering new fire trucks and when do we take delivery? 4. When is City Hall getting needed repairs to roof, plumbing and other areas to prevent further damage to the building? 5. What are the plans to have enough money to open our libraries for more hours? Moving money from one account to the library is not acceptable. We need new funding sources. 6. What are the plans to open our swimming pool during the summer? Again, we need new funding sources. 7. Does our PD have enough vehicles and funding to maintain our safety and security? 8. How much money is needed to have the Planning Counter open more hours to better serve the public? 9. How are upgrades to our aging water main system being funded? What is the plan for upgrading our water mains to prevent new sinkholes from developing? 10. Is Panda Mart opening? 11. Is SC Fuels starting to consolidate staff from Orange into Knoxville? 12. How much money is needed to address deferred maintenance on city owned properties? 13. What is going on with the Orange Yards project? 14. When is the new Enterprise Area Zoning coming forward for approval? 15. When will City staff receive market rate wages and more employees hired to serve our residents? 16. What can be done to attract and retain new businesses? Reggie Mundekis Orange Sounding off Dear Editor: Re: Orange Plaza Accidents Council members are concerned that noise from rumble strips would disturb businesses and residents, yet they allow gas powered leaf blowers. That makes no sense at all, actually borders on stupidity, especially for those who voted against a similar blower measure in 2023. Thirty years ago my wife and I were thrilled to purchase a home in Orange. It won't be long until we're gone. Stephen Tyler Orange Dear Editor: For years, the City of Orange has looked the other way at a massive two-story, 2,400-squarefoot structure built only 16 inches from my property line. This structure was never approved through zoning, planning, or the design review process, and it continues to violate multiple city ordinances, including height, setback, and size restrictions. Even more troubling, the city issued a building permit 11 months after nine sliding glass doors had already been permanently removed. No roofing permits were ever issued when 40 acrylic skylights were taken out and replaced with heavy cement roof tiles, which have caused the roof to sag. The same structure has been re-roofed three separate times without permits, and the city is fully aware yet has done nothing. This isn’t just about one property — it’s about accountability and equal enforcement. Homeowners like myself are required to obtain permits for even minor repairs, while others are allowed to make Ed Note: Residents of Orange who do not live in a historic district have decried the loss of the Design Review Committee, as an oversight tool for projects throughout the city. They have been assured that there are already measures in place (zoning, code enforcement) to protect them from irresponsible or illegal development. Two East Orange residents dispute that claim with facts, photos and multi-year complaints to the city. Neither project called out in the following letter or on page 5 was referred to the DRC; both homeowners believe the outcome would have been different had they been. City of Orange Code Violations Summary – Illegal Nonconforming Structure (930 N. Meads Ave., Orange) Violation / Issue Structure built without zoning, planning, or design review approvals Setback violation – structure only 16 inches from property line Height and size exceedances (≈ 20 ft / 2,400 sq ft) Erroneously permitted / illegally established structure Alteration of illegal nonconforming structure Re-roofed three times without permits Replacement of skylights with heavy clay-cement tiles Added ridgecaps increasing roof volume Sagging roof due to excessive roof load Permanent removal of nine sliding glass doors (one wall) Applicable Code or Rule Summary All new construction must be reviewed and approved under City of Orange Municipal Code (OOMC §17.08 & §17.10; OPA Specific Plan). Minimum 5-ft setback (10 ft on reverse corner) required for accessory structures (OOMC §17.13.070). Accessory structures limited to 10 ft height and 120 sq ft unless otherwise approved (OOMC §17.13.070). A structure lacking required entitlements cannot be considered legally established (OOMC §17.38.020). Structural improvements or alterations prohibited unless brought into full compliance (OOMC §17.38.065). Re-roofing that changes materials or load requires a building permit and inspection (CBC §R907 / OOMC §15.04.020). Change to heavier materials requires structural review for weight load (CBC §R802 & §R907). Volume increase constitutes a structural alteration (CBC §R106). Violates building safety and structural integrity standards (CBC §R301 & §R802). Structural change requiring permit and review (CBC §R105.1). Change from enclosed to open structure Water runoff / flooding onto adjacent property Cypress trees suggested over septic tank Blight and nuisance from deteriorating and sagging roof Loss of privacy from seven windows facing neighbor’s property Grotto / water feature with pumps and lighting – no permits City’s failure to enforce known zoning violations Requires new planning and zoning review; unapproved change of use (OOMC §17.12). Grading or drainage cannot cause water to flow onto neighboring parcels (CMC §13.66.070). Planting prohibited above septic systems (California Plumbing Code §722.1 & §1101). Public nuisance under OOMC §8.54 (conditions endangering safety, aesthetics, or property values). Violates privacy and neighborhood compatibility goals (OPA Specific Plan §3.2 & OOMC §17.08.020). Requires electrical, plumbing, and zoning permits (OOMC §15.04 & §17.12). Municipal Code §1.08.010 – duty to enforce adopted ordinances consistently and equitably. A large haphazardly built structure sits 18 inches from the neighbor's property line. The city has offered no relief. major structural changes without proper review. This selective enforcement not only violates the city’s ordinances but undermines public trust in government. The city’s ongoing neglect has resulted in flooding, loss of privacy, and significant harm to neighboring property values. When city officials knowingly ignore unpermitted construction and allow illegal structures to stand, it raises serious concerns about integrity and oversight. I urge the City of Orange to uphold the same standards for all residents and to take immediate action to correct this blatant disregard for zoning and building laws. Laurie Cesena Orange (The writer included a list of violations, at right, that apply to the offending structure.)
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