Tag: Mission Viejo

Here Are the SoCal Cities With the Most Homes Sold in May as Market Cools Off

As the home prices are leveling off in Southern California amid rising interest rates, Lancaster of Los Angeles County, Mission Viejo of Orange County, and Fallbrook of San Diego County are among the cities with the most home sales in May. Otto Catrina, the president of the California Association of Realtors, said the housing market…


These SoCal Cities Saw High Home Sales in May, as Market Cools

As home prices are leveling off in Southern California amid rising interest rates, Lancaster of Los Angeles County, Mission Viejo of Orange County, and Fallbrook of San Diego County are among the cities with the most home sales in May. Otto Catrina, the president of the California Association of Realtors, said the housing market has…


Judge Rules All 5 Mission Viejo Councilors Must Be up for Election in November

The entire Mission Viejo City Council will be up for election this November, after a judge issued a tentative ruling June 28 in a lawsuit between the city and a resident. While three councilors—Ed Sachs, Greg Raths, and Mayor Wendy Bucknam—were already up for re-election in November, Mission Viejo resident Michael Schlesinger sued the city,…


Judge Moves up Hearing of Lawsuit Over Mission Viejo Councilors’ Terms

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—All five city councilors of Mission Viejo, California, may appear on the election ballot this November, after a judge recently decided to hear a lawsuit challenging their terms next week instead of in August. While three councilors—Ed Sachs, Greg Raths, and Mayor Wendy Bucknam—were already up for re-election in November, a Mission Viejo…


Mission Viejo: Election Lawsuit Has ‘No Merit’

The city of Mission Viejo said May 12 it is prepared to defend its recent move toward district-based elections in court, saying a lawsuit filed against the city regarding the change has “no merit.” Last month, Mission Viejo resident Michael Schlesinger filed the suit alleging all five of its city council seats should be up…


Mission Viejo Rejects Controversial Project Replacing Strip Mall With Whole Foods and Apartments

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—A controversial development project to turn a strip mall in Mission Viejo, California, into an apartment complex—with a Whole Foods Market underneath—was killed, after the city rejected the developer’s rezoning request, which critics said might open the door for more similar projects that might lower the community’s quality of life. The Mission Viejo…


Mission Viejo Resident Files Lawsuit Against City for Extending Councilors’ Terms

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—A Mission Viejo resident filed a lawsuit on April 7 against the city arguing that all five of its city council seats should be up for a vote in November. At issue is a complicated failed attempt by the city to comply with a 2018 lawsuit settlement to make its elections decided by…


‘Garden Plaza’ Loses Rezoning Request: Planning Commission

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—The plan to build an apartment building with street-level retail had a setback April 11 as the city’s Planning and Transportation Commission voted against the developers’ request to rezone the land for residential use. The Mission Viejo City Council, however, will have the final vote on the matter in May. The proposed project…


Mission Viejo Cracks Down on Fentanyl, Catalytic Converter Thefts

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—Mission Viejo is cracking down on crime after its city council passed two ordinances Mar. 22 where it supported the county’s stance against fentanyl and another that will seek to reduce thefts of catalytic converters. The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution supporting Orange County’s own resolution that commits to eliminating…


Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend from Mission Viejo

SANTA ANA—A 33-year-old man was behind bars Friday on suspicion of killing his girlfriend, who went missing out of Mission Viejo in January of last year and whose body has never been found. Kerwin Andrew Varela, who is being held on $1 million bail, is scheduled for arraignment on April 1 in the jail courtroom…