Do I need a permit to film in the city? A permit is required if any production activity occurs in the public right-of-way. Production activity includes filming, personnel or equipment placement, and vehicle parking. A permit is not required if all production activity is completely contained on private property. For information purposes only, a production company filming on private property is asked to complete the permit application form. The information is kept on file in case the city receives calls from community members. For more information, please contact the Economic Development Department at (714) 288-2580.
How do Redevelopment Agencies secure funds? The state law makes available to redevelopment agencies a method of obtaining funds called "tax increment financing." On the date the city council approves a redevelopment plan, the property within the boundaries of the plan has a certain total property tax value. If this total assessed valuation increases, most of the taxes that are derived from the increase go to the redevelopment agency. These funds are called "tax increments." Usually, the flow of tax increment revenues to the agency will not be sufficient in itself to finance the full scope of redevelopment activities and development projects. Therefore, agencies issue bonds. These bonds are not a debt of the city or county and are repaid solely from tax increment revenue. Tax increments can be used only in the same project that generates them, except for residential projects, which benefit low- and moderate-income households.
How will this affect the city/county and other taxing agencies in regard to tax revenue loss? Other taxing agencies will lose part of the new property taxes generated by redevelopment, but will continue receiving the base revenues. In most blighted areas, property values would not increase without redevelopment activities. Other taxing agencies will receive non-property tax revenues and revenues generated outside the project area as a direct result of redevelopment activities, i.e., sales tax, hotel room taxes, and property taxes.
If a citizen should decide to sell property to the Agency, who determines the selling price? The agency would hire an independent appraiser to establish the fair market value of the property. If the owner is not satisfied with the appraised value of the property, he may hire his own appraiser to re-evaluate the property after which both appraisals will be compared and a selling price negotiated. Fair market value is the value that the property would have if it were placed in today’s market and sold.
Of what benefit to a citizen is being in a Redevelopment Project Area? Redevelopment is one of the most effective ways to breathe new life into deteriorated areas plagued by social, physical, environmental or economic conditions that act as a barrier to new investment by private enterprise. Through redevelopment, a project area will receive focused attention and financial investment to reverse deteriorating trends, create jobs, revitalize the business climate, rehabilitate and add to the housing stock, and gain active participation and investment by citizens which would not otherwise occur.
Tell me about the first time home buyer program. The City provides assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers. The home must be located in Orange and income & other guidelines apply. Please contact the Economic Development Dept. at (714) 288-2580 for more information.
What is a Project Area? A project area is the area within which actual redevelopment will take place. The project area must first go to public hearing (giving citizens who will be included in the project area a chance to express their views) after which the redevelopment agency acts on the adoption of the project area and becomes primarily responsible for future projects.
What is a Redevelopment Agency? In most cities, the city councilmembers are also the governing board for the redevelopment agency; however, the council and the agency are two separate, distinct legal entities. The agency members hire staff to carry out the day-to-day operations and its redevelopment plans. In most counties, the board of supervisors is the governing board.
What is a Redevelopment Plan? A redevelopment plan represents a process and a basic framework within which specific projects will be undertaken. The plan provides the agency with powers to take certain actions such as to buy and sell land within the area covered by the plan (project area), improving dilapidated facilities and to use tax increment financing.
What is Redevelopment? Redevelopment is a process created to assist city and county government in eliminating blight from a designated area, and to achieve desired development, reconstruction and rehabilitation including but not limited to: residential, commercial, industrial, and retail.
What is relocation? Relocation is the displacement of a business or family for the purpose of clearing land and preparing it for its designated use. When a person or business meets the legal qualifications, the redevelopment agency pays for assistance in finding a new location, payments to help cover moving costs, and payments for certain other costs as provided by law.
Who do I contact about filming in Orange? The Economic Development Dept. issues film permits. Please contact Paul Sitkoff at (714) 288-2590 or psitkoff@cityoforange.org for assistance. Sally Trejo coordinates student film permits. She can be reached at (714) 288-2596 or strejo@cityoforange.org.
Why do we have Redevelopment Projects? The basic reason for establishing redevelopment projects is to secure funds that can be used to attract commercial, industrial, and residential development in order to eliminate blight and improve an area.
Why does the Agency have the power of eminent domain (condemnation of property)? Private developers seldom can assemble many separate parcels of land into a site large enough for their needs. One small "hold out" can refuse to sell at any price and block the entire development. The agency can, if necessary, use its power of eminent domain to acquire the hold-out parcel and permit the development to proceed in order to reduce or eliminate a blighting condition.
Will property taxes be raised? It is important to note that higher taxes from the sale, development or rehabilitation of property reflects a rise in property value and not an increase in tax rate. Until a property is improved or sold, assessed values and tax rates in redevelopment areas are restricted by Proposition 13 limitations.
