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THE
HISTORY
Laguna
Woods is both one of California's newest and oldest
cities. Incorporated in 1999 as Orange County's
32nd city, the average age of Laguna Woods residents
is 78. Ninety percent of the City’s 4 square miles
is contained within the senior citizen gated community
of Leisure World. The balance of the City contains
three additional senior residential communities
and several thriving commercial centers.
Development
of Leisure World began in the 1960s on 2,095 acres
formerly known as the Moulton Ranch. It was designed
to offer a full range of cultural and recreational
experiences for active adults within a safe and
gardenlike setting.
Incorporation
efforts were initiated unsuccessfully - independently
and in conjunction with surrounding communities
- on several occasions. In 1996, threatened with
the development of a major commercial airport
on its borders, the Leisure World community hired
a consultant to explore future governance options.
The final report convinced community leaders to
pursue cityhood once again.
On
June 22, 1998, the Orange County Local Agency
Formation Commission approved the community's
application for incorporation; local voters ratified
the proposal on March 2, 1999.
Laguna Woods is a general law city, operating
with a "council-manager" form of government. The
council-manager form of government blends five
elected City Council citizen representatives,
who set policies and adopt local laws, with a
City Manager and team of professional staff and
consultants who carry out these policies. Two
of Laguna Woods' current Councilmembers - Mayor
Hack and Councilmember Ross - have served the
City since incorporation, as has its City Manager,
Leslie Keane. History by City
of Laguna Woods
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