Will Mello Roos taxes assessed to existing Portola Hills homeowner's be used to fund any public improvements, including roadway or traffic-related improvements, in the Portola Center?

No, Mello Roos taxes assessed to existing Portola Hills homeowners are controlled by the County of Orange and cannot be used to pay for any new public improvements, including roadway or traffic-related improvements in the Portola Center project. Public improvements, including roadway/traffic, proposed as a component of the project would be paid for by the developer. Any roadway or traffic-related improvements which are not a component of the project may be funded in whole or in part by the developer, or by the City as a potential component of future Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) plans.

What is Mello-Roos?

The term Mello-Roos is often used to refer to either the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 or to special taxes levied on homes within a pre-defined geographic region.

What is the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 ("Act")?

Prop. 13 limited the ability of local public agencies to increase property taxes based on assessed value. The Act was created to provide an alternate method of financing needed improvements and services. The Act allows any county, city, special district, school district or joint powers authority to establish a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District ("CFD") which allows for financing of public improvements and services by selling tax-exempt bonds.

Why would a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District ("CFD") be created?

A CFD is created to finance public improvements and services when no other source of money is available. CFDs are normally formed in undeveloped areas and are used to build or install infrastructure so that new homes or commercial space can be built.

How is a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District ("CFD") formed?

A CFD is created by a sponsoring local government agency. A CFD cannot be formed without a two-thirds majority vote of residents living within the proposed boundaries. If there are fewer than 12 residents, the vote is conducted of current landowners. In many cases, that may be a single owner or developer. Once approved, a Special Tax Lien is placed against each property in the CFD. Property owners then pay a special tax each year.

When will my Mello-Roos expire? What are the chances of the bond being renewed/refinanced?

Generally, if bonds are issued by a CFD, special taxes will be charged annually until the bonds are paid off in full. Often, after bonds are paid off, a CFD will continue to charge a reduced fee to maintain the improvements. Also, additional bonds may be issued for the purposes of: 1) refunding all or a portion of outstanding bonds; and 2) additional project costs. Any questions regarding the expiration date or potential for refinancing of existing CFDs should be directed to the local sponsoring agency. In the case of properties in Lake Forest, sponsoring agencies include the County of Orange and local school and water districts. The City is not the local sponsoring agency for existing Mello-Roos taxes.

What is currently being paid for with the funds?

This question should be directed to the appropriate sponsoring local agency.

How is a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District ("CFD") used?

New development requires infrastructure (i.e., streets, storm drains). CFDs provide financing for the infrastructure needed for new development. Bonds are issued to generate cash to pay for installation and are paid back over time by the property owners within the area that the infrastructure serves.

Is there any kind of transparency with the Mello-Roos? How does the public know where their funds are going? Reporting?

All issuers selling CFD bonds after January 1, 1993 are covered by State Law and are required to report certain information about the bond issues through the completion of the Yearly Fiscal Status Report and/or the Draw on the Reserve Fund or Default Report. In addition, the County of Orange commissions a Community Facilities District Administration Report each fiscal year. For additional information on available reports, please contact the appropriate sponsoring local agency.

Has the City of Lake Forest ever authorized the levy of Mello-Roos taxes on residential homes?

No, the City is not currently a local sponsoring agency for any Mello-Roos taxes. The development agreements signed by the landowners responsible for development of the New Neighborhoods allow for the formation of CFDs at the request of the landowner. To date, no new CFDs have been formed.

What fees do the developers of the New Neighborhoods have to pay to the City and what can they be used for?

Each developer is required to pay various fees as part of the Development Agreements associated with the Opportunities Study Area ("OSA") New Neighborhoods.

  • Community Facilities Fees pay for the development of new infrastructure such as the Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center and the future Civic Center.
  • Park Maintenance Fees pay to maintain certain public parks.
  • The Lake Forest Transportation Mitigation (LFTM) fees fund intersection improvements throughout the City to ensure that the City's roadway infrastructure accommodates projected traffic volumes.
  • The Foothill Circulation Phasing Plan (FCPP) Fees fund other road improvements such as the completion of Alton Parkway.
  • Affordable housing and neighborhood park requirements can be satisfied on site or, in some instances, through fees. These funds cannot be used for general government purposes. The money collected is restricted and may only be used for the purposes identified specifically in the Development Agreements and other program documents.
Once the Baker Ranch development project is completed, how much will the developers have paid in fees to the City?

Upon completion of the Baker Ranch development, projections indicate the City will have collected approximately $72 million in Community Facilities Fees, $2 million in park maintenance fees, $6.7 million in LFTM fees, and $3.6 million in FCPP fees.

How much have the developers of the Baker Ranch project paid in fees to the Saddleback Valley Unified School District to support the additional elementary school students who will be attending Foothill Ranch Elementary School?

The Shea-Baker Ranch Development Agreement includes a School Mitigation Agreement between the District and the developer, requiring the developer to pay an impact fee to the school district totaling $8,540 per housing unit prior to pulling any building permits. The City does not collect or administer the use of these funds.

Will the new homes in the former auto center (Bake and Portola) be required to pay a share of the Mello-Roos fees associated with the Foothill Ranch Community Facilities District (CFD Number 87-4)?

Yes. The new homeowners in the former auto center are required to pay a share of the payments for CFD 87-4.

Are the homes in the Baker Ranch development contributing their fair share towards the maintenance of the City's infrastructure?

Yes. While not a part of CFD 87-4, the Baker Ranch property was included in CFD 87-6 and made payments for its share of costs for the road infrastructure in the local area including arterials in Foothill Ranch. In addition, Baker Ranch was required by the County to pay its share for the Sheriff's Substation, Fire Station, and the Foothill Ranch Library in addition to other miscellaneous facilities. The owners of Baker Ranch decided to pay their obligation in cash instead of utilizing CFD financing. Therefore, the new homeowners in Baker Ranch do not pay Mello-Roos taxes.

Are any funds generated by new developers being used to pay off the existing bonds for CFD Number 87-4?

No, funds from one CFD cannot be used to pay off a different bond obligation. The money collected from the developers is placed into restricted funds and may only be used for the purposes identified specifically in the Development Agreements and other program documents.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have additional questions relating to your Mello-Roos tax, please contact the Treasurer Tax Collector at (714) 834-3411. Read more about Mello-Roos.

 

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2022 Business Survey


Social Media Accounts:

Please select all social media outlets that your business currently utilizes.

Social Media
If you selected "other", please submit your response here.
If you selected "other", please submit your response here.
Has your business/organization been negatively impacted by COVID-19?
Has your business/organization been negatively impacted by COVID-19?
If you selected "other", please submit your response here.
If you could receive an assistance grant, how much would your business/organization need to properly recover?
If you could receive an assistance grant, how much would your business/organization need to properly recover?
If you selected "more", please submit your response here.
If you are a restaurant, have you used outdoor dining during the Pandemic and would you like to continue or enhance outdoor dining?
If you are a restaurant, have you used outdoor dining during the Pandemic and would you like to continue or enhance outdoor dini
If you selected "other", please submit your response here.
If you responded "yes" or "other", how long would you like to continue to have the ability to conduct outdoor operations?
If you responded "yes" or "other", how long would you like to continue to have the ability to conduct outdoor operations?
If you selected "other", please submit your response here.
What type of assistance would be helpful for your business/organization now and in the future? (Select all that apply)
What type of assistance would be helpful for your business/organization now and in the future? (Select all that apply)
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2023 Community Services Commission

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Community Services Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

The Community Services Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the acquisition, development, and maintenance of public parks and recreational facilities. The Commission also advises the City Council on matters relating to recreational programs and provides advice to the Community Services Department.

This Commission meets the Wednesday after the first City Council meeting of each month, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members pledge upon appointment to represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or interest and will sign an Ethics Policy upon appointment to the Commission. The City assigns a staff liaison to work with the Commission and facilitate communication between the Commission and the City Council.

In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities. Commissioners receive a salary of $59 per meeting, not to exceed $118 per month.

Address
One file only.
200 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Please limit your responses to 100 words each for Questions 7-10.

Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

Tell us about your understanding of government: Please limit your comments to 100 words each for Questions 14 & 15.

Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

Attachments

The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Community Services Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled on the Wednesday following the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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2023 Planning Commission Application

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Planning Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

The City's Planning Commission is a decision-making body tasked with reviewing matters related to planning and development in the City. The Planning Commission consists of five members which are appointed by the City- Council with Commissioners serving four-year terms. Typical projects reviewed by the Planning Commission include applications for new development, proposed changes in zoning or the text of the Municipal Code, as well as review proposed subdivisions of land. The Planning Commission is also responsible for making recommendations to the City Council as to whether a project or action would be consistent with the General Plan.

The Commission meets on the same week in which the City Council holds their first meeting of the month on Thursdays and meetings commence at 6:30 p.m. In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities.

Commissioners receive a salary of $118 per meeting, not to exceed $236 per month.

Address
One file only.
200 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Please limit your responses to 100 words each for Questions 7-10.

Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

Tell us about your understanding of government: Please limit your comments to 100 words each for Questions 14 & 15.

Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

Attachments

The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Planning Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled on the same week in which the City Council holds their first meeting of the month on Thursdays and meetings commence at 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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2023 Traffic and Parking Commission

Notice

The City of Lake Forest is accepting applications to serve on the Traffic and Parking Commission. Applications must be submitted online using this form and must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023. There is currently one seat available on the commission.

The Traffic and Parking Commission advises the City Council on issues relating to parking and the safe and efficient movement of traffic, including vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other modes of transportation upon the circulation network of the City. The Commission will provide recommendations related to traffic and parking including, but not limited to traffic and parking related field studies, requests for traffic control devices, requests for permit parking and street sweeping parking restrictions, and other related matters.

This Commission meets the Monday prior to the first City Council meeting of each month, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members pledge upon appointment to represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or interest and will sign an Ethics Policy upon appointment to the Commission. The City assigns a staff liaison to work with the Commission and facilitate communication between the Commission and the City Council. In addition to attending the regular monthly Commission meetings, Commissioners are expected to periodically attend and participate in City programs and activities.

Commissioners receive a salary of $118 per meeting, not to exceed $236 per month.

Address
One file only.
200 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Please limit your responses to 100 words each for Questions 7-10.

Tell us about your relationships to Current Council Members or Employees. Please limit your responses to 50 words each for Questions 11-13.

Tell us about your understanding of government: Please limit your comments to 100 words each for Questions 14 & 15.

Tell us about your vision for the City: Please limit your comments to 200 words each for Questions 16-18.

Attachments

The following attachments are part of the reference materials for the application:

Applicant Verification

I attest to the following: 1. I am a legal resident of the City of Lake Forest. 2. I am registered to vote in the City of Lake Forest. 3. I am able to attend Traffic and Parking Commission meetings that are regularly scheduled the Monday prior to the first City Council meeting each month ar 6:30 p.m. 4. I have submitted a Statement of Economic Interest, in accordance with the Political Reform Act. 5. I understand this application is a Public Record and may be made available to members of the public upon request, with personal contact information redacted. The information provided in this application is true and accurate.

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This form is for businesses that are physically located at a Lake Forest address.

 

Business Address
Please enter Mailing Address information, if different from Business Address.
Home-Based Business?
If yes, you do not need to enter Property Manager Contact Information on the following page.

Commercial Business Additional Information

Applicable if you are a commercial or a home-based business.

Reason(s) for locating Business in Lake Forest:

Property Manager Contact Information

Applicable if you are leasing or own commercial property.

PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS.

Property Manager Address

Business Watch - Emergency Contact Information

Please complete the following emergency contact information if your business wishes to participate in the Orange County Sheriff's Department "Business Watch Program". You will be contacted and provided with additional information and receive a "Business Watch" decal.

PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS.

More Information on Lake Forest Business Watch:

Business Watch | Lake Forest, CA

To learn more about the Lake Forest Business Watch Program, please visit the link above.

Please enter the name of an individual to call in case of an emergency. They must have keys to your business.
Please enter the name of an individual to call in case of an emergency. They must have keys to your business.
Do you have an alarm system?
Do you have surveillance cameras?

Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce Membership

Membership Application

Joining the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce offers numerous opportunities to network, gain valuable experience, expand your business, and more. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, select the link above.

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CCA

Address
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City of Lake Forest SMS Sign Up

Please provide the following information to join the waiting list for the Lake Forest CERT program.
Previous Experience Please check all that apply
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Expand the Forest

Expand the Forest Beautification Program

Public Works Department | 100 Civic Center Dr. | Lake Forest, Ca 92630 | (949) 461 - 3493


Applicant Information

Address

Note: Due to the health and wellbeing of the selected trees, plantings will occur only from October 1st though December 1st and March 1st through June 1st. Staff will contact you during this time frame. Dedication plaques are not allowed. 


Location

 

Disclaimer: If a planting date cannot be arranged, the tree(s) will be planted by the end of the planting period. 

 


Type of Tree


Dedication

The City Council Certificate: The dedication and sponsor(s) information will appear on the City Council signed certificate mailed to you after the tree planting has occurred.

(Example: In loving memory of John Doe, a great friend and co-worker) 


Payment

The cost of the Expand the Forest Program is $93.00/15 gallon tree. 

If Paying by Check, Mail to:

City of Lake Forest
Expand the Forest Program
100 Civic Center Dr.
Lake Forest, CA 92630

If Paying with Cash, Bring to:

City of Lake Forest
100 Civic Center Dr.
Lake Forest, CA 92630

If Paying by Credit Card

Credit card payments are accepted through eLakeForest.com with a 3.29% service fee. Register for a new account through eLakeForest.com.

 

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Lake Forest eNewsletters

Thanks for your interest in joining our mailing list. Please choose from any of the following areas of interest, and you'll be automatically signed up to receive electronic newsletters.

Email Lists

By submitting this form, you are granting: City of Lake Forest, 25550 Commercentre Drive, Lake Forest, California, 92630, United States, http://lakeforestca.gov permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

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Responsible Pet Ownership

Vet / Clinic:
20780 Lake Forest Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 600-8310
23162 El Toro Frontage Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 837-5222
29040 Portola Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 380-1255
24301 Muirlands Blvd Ste P, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 837-7660
22377 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 855-9744
3 Rancho Circle, Lake Forest, CA 92630, (949) 581-7979

Owner Information

City: Lake Forest

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Do you have an active Neighborhood Watch now?
Do you have an active Neighborhood Watch now?
If so, would you like representatives from the OC Sheriff’s Department and City to attend a meeting?
If so, would you like representatives from the OC Sheriff’s Department and City to attend a meeting?
Do you believe your association would be interested in the Safe Lake Forest program?
Do you believe your association would be interested in the Safe Lake Forest program?
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