ORANGE : Old Towne Rezoning to Go Before Public

It took more than an hour of debate this week before the City Council decided to hold public hearings on controversial rezoning demands for the historic Old Towne District.

Area residents who do not want to change building regulations spoke up at the Tuesday night meeting to oppose public hearings, in an effort to end attempts by preservationist groups to rezone the area.

But when the dust settled, council members voted 3 to 2 to set public hearings on changing the zoning designation for most of the areas under discussion. The zoning changes would toughen restrictions on what can be built in the historic district.

The controversy over the future of Old Towne, an area predominantly made up of pre-1940 homes, has simmered in Orange for years.

Preservationists argue that unless city officials “downzone” and restrict high-density development, historic homes will be torn down to make way for apartment buildings, increasing parking and overcrowding problems.

But another group, largely composed of longtime residents and property owners of Old Towne, argues that property values will erode if zoning is changed to limit growth.

Councilman Mike Spurgeon said he voted against the public hearings after the city staff revealed it would cost the city about $20,000 to prepare for them.

“I do not want to spend one more cent on this,” Spurgeon said. “This is a never-ending story. It just goes on and on and on.”

But Councilwoman Joanne Coontz pointed out that the estimate includes the salaries the city pays its employees.

“What else is the planning staff supposed to be doing with their time?’ Coontz asked.

An area bounded by Pixley and Batavia streets and Chapman and Almond avenues was the only area under discussion that will not be the subject of a public hearing. The council vote on that area was tied after Councilman Fred Barrera abstained because he owns property near it.