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As planners began to articulate the new vision for this part of the ranch, they had to factor in the significance of the 2001 land donation that permanently protected 11,000 open space acres in the city’s sphere of influence. They revisited the portion of the sphere of influence that had previously been planned and approved for development as part of the 7,100-acre East Orange General Plan, and began discussing with the community a new vision for the planning area.
When the 1989 East Orange General Plan was approved, the focus of city leaders was to expand their city to the east and create an economic engine that was fueled by millions of square feet of retail, commercial and employment uses. It was a plan that was right for the time and supported by the community. But times change.
With a new emphasis on protecting open space and recreation, plans that once called for a high-density urban development now envision a scaled-back community that respects and complements the rural charm of East Orange and its surrounding natural beauty.
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The new plan dramatically reduces the number of homes contained in the previous plan, eliminates commercial and industrial uses, and increases the array of outdoor recreational opportunities.
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