Aliso Viejo Official Touts Business, Revenue Growth

The city of Aliso Viejo ended the fiscal year with millions in reserves, a partnership with the city's newly formed Chamber of Commerce and a business district that's continuing to thrive, said city manager Mark Pulone.

He touted his city's accomplishments at the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce State of the County Luncheon in Dana Point Friday. City managers from six south OC cities spoke about their finances, various initiatives and infrastructure projects.

"We ended the year with $25 million in reserves," Pulone said. "We're looking at what to do with those resources. Because of enhanced revenues, we're adding a motorcycle officer into the budget."

He said the extra traffic patrol will focus mostly on Pacific Parkway.

Pulone said the city also joined the new Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce that formed last year, and would be working with the organization to promote the city to both visitors and businesses.

Pulone said the city's recently crafted general plan called for improvements to Aliso Viejo Town Center, including zoning that creates opportunities for added square footage, enhanced pedestrian access, community event space, parking improvements and traffic improvements.

He also said the city was studying what to do with the roughly five percent of developable land left in the city, including 25 acres owned by the U.S. Postal Service. There had been plans for a USPS distribution center there, Pulone said, but the city killed them several years ago.

Pulone also touted the city's small, but growing tech and bio tech sectors.