Final Annexation Protests to Be Heard

The City Council will consider any final protests tonight from property owners within the 1,502 acres of commercial and industrial property to be annexed by Lake Forest.

The Local Agency Formation Commission approved the annexation last month, effectively ending the cityhood drive by the communities of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills.

The property to be annexed includes the Foothill Ranch Towne Center, a shopping center that provides about $2 million in annual sales tax revenue and would have been the financial foundation for the proposed city.

The cityhood activists submitted an application to LAFCO just prior to the annexation approval.

For Lake Forest to receive a share of the property taxes from the annexation area, the city must attempt to annex the residential communities of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills within the next two years.

But many foothill residents are still angry over the LAFCO decision, said Sharon Hankins, Foothill Ranch Civic Council vice president.

Hankins said Cityhood Now! may still seek a reconsideration of the LAFCO decision and that the loss of the Towne Center leaves the communities with no option but to remain unincorporated islands.

The council meets at 7 p.m. at 23161 Lake Center Drive, Suite 210. Information: (949) 461-3400.