Orange approves path to turn former quarry into public open space

Orange city leaders have approved agreements setting a path for a developer to acquire a former quarry and prepare it for transfer to the city as permanent public open space, according to Voice of OC. Environmental work and regulatory approvals remain unresolved, and the city does not yet own the property.

The agreements move the 67.7-acre Sully-Miller property toward preservation after years of disputes over development. Orange would not pay for the acquisition or initial site preparation, but it would assume long-term maintenance after the transfer, with future improvements still undesigned and their costs unknown.

The property lies along Santiago Canyon Road in eastern Orange and was mined from 1919 to 1995. Voice of OC reported that the agreements were discussed at the Aug. 25 council meeting, following decades of development proposals, referenda and litigation. Voters rejected a plan for 128 single-family homes in November 2020.

Current owner Milan must remove material containing arsenic from affected soil stockpiles and perform further testing before Landify acquires the land. City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand said the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board identified arsenic in parts of several stockpiles, according to Voice of OC.

Landify's proposed work includes rebuilding stockpile slopes, adding support berms, removing unsuitable material as needed and installing engineered fill with a compacted cover. The work still requires regulatory review, and the developer must secure grading approvals and meet transfer conditions before Orange takes ownership.

The agreements do not require Orange to buy the land or finance Landify's acquisition, grading or preparation work. Any later improvements would need council approval. Potential uses include trails, equestrian facilities, habitat restoration, environmental education and passive recreation, but those amenities have not been finalized.

Residents differed over proceeding, Voice of OC reported. Some supported the agreements, while others raised concerns about finances, legal obligations and the approval process, including what would happen if Landify withdrew.

Orange is evaluating grants, partnerships and funding opportunities tied to contaminated-property redevelopment. No completion date has been set; Hildenbrand described the remaining work as a process that would take years, according to Voice of OC.