Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills is built on one of the major land grants developed during the Rancho Era. Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, those who had served in the government or who had friends in authority, were given vast lands for cattle grazing. Rancho Lomas de Santiago, Rancho San Joaquin, and Rancho Niguel covered much of the western portion of the Saddleback Valley. Don Juan Avila was granted the 13,000 Rancho Niguel on which Laguna Hills is located.
In 1874, Lewis Moulton purchased Rancho Niguel from Don Juan Avila and increased the original grant to 22,000 acres. Moulton and his partner, Jean Piedra Daguerre, used the ranch to raise sheep and cattle. The Moulton Ranch was eventually subdivided in the early 1960's, part of which is recognized as Laguna Hills.
Incorporation efforts began in 1987 and on March 5, 1991, the goal of incorporation was finally achieved with 86% of the residents voting in favor of forming the City of Laguna Hills. On December 20, 1991, Laguna Hills officially became a City.
n November 14, 1995, the City Council approved annexation of the North Laguna Hills area, which became part of the incorporated City on July 1, 1996.
On September 18, 2000, with the overwhelming support from the 1,800 residents, the "Westside" Annexation Area officially became part of the incorporated City. The annexation added 149 acres of residential land, which includes the Aliso Viejo Community Association's Sheep Hills Park.
Laguna Woods
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 - Brenda Ross and Bert Hack - have served the City since incorporation, as has its City Manager, Leslie Keane.
