ORANGE : Anti-Development Petition Falls Short

Referendum organizers said Thursday that they failed to gather enough signatures on petitions protesting the City Council’s Dec. 19 approval of the Irvine Co.’s 12,000-home proposed development in east Orange.

Carole Walters, one of the referendum’s supporters, said 5,237 signatures were collected during the 17-day referendum drive. The city clerk said at least 5,408 signatures were needed to qualify the referendum for the city’s June ballot.

“But we’re proud of our efforts. We knew we had a short time, and we had some problems with the post office and rainy weather. But I think that getting at least 5,200 signatures in such a short time indicates that there are plenty of unhappy people out there who oppose the plan,” Walters said.