Redevelopment debate grows in contention

An already contentious debate over the future of Yorba Linda's Old Towne is turning a bit nasty.

A few opponents of the City Council's visualization for a revitalized Town Center accuse the council of dishonest, untruthful or unethical behavior regarding decision-making for the project.

Understandably, council members reject such charges. They say they are working in the community's best interests as they firmly advance their long-held redevelopment agenda.

And, while some residents express surprise at various elements of the Old Towne project--such as high-density housing, possible parking structures and the "repositioning" of long-established businesses--these proposals have been part of the downtown package for a couple of years.

And residents who've watched the votes of current council members should not be amazed that they comprise one of the most development-oriented councils in the city's nearly 38-year history.

All five representatives received substantial campaign contributions from developers as well as individuals, businesses and political action committees associated with development, building and real estate interests during the hotly-contested 2000, 2002 and 2004 municipal elections.

These contributions certainly don't buy the votes of council members, as some of their vocal opponents often mistakenly charge. But the money does help ensure the election of selected individuals who already hold a pro-development, government-controlled growth philosophy.

And that attitude is now reflected in the council's belief that a much-needed and long-awaited Old Towne area refurbishment should involve a reversal of the city's longtime semi-rural, low-density heritage, which many past councils worked diligently to preserve for future residents.

A FINAL NOTE--Links to articles Councilman Ken Ryan contributed to two national trade publications can be found on resident Jim Horton's informative http://www.ylforum.org/ Web site.

In "10 Steps to a Successful Urban Infill Project" and "Builder Marketing: Gaining Approval for High-Density Projects," Ryan offers tips to developers seeking approval for urban village-type projects.

Admirably, Ryan recommends in National Real Estate Investor magazine that programs be based on "trust, openness and consensus-building." But alarmingly, the councilman also states, "The objective is to cultivate supporters, neutralize the masses and expose the extremists."

And in Builder and Developer magazine, Ryan and co-author Steve Kellenberg, principals in an Irvine planning and design firm, advocate "establishing trust, developing relationships and working together." But again, they suggest "cultivating supporters" and "marginalizing opposition."

They also say Brea's new downtown is "an urban success story" and a "development showplace."

So, in the coming weeks, residents can expect to be cultivated, neutralized, exposed or marginalized, depending on their viewpoints regarding the council's Town Center project.

Shuffling of players in redevelopment game

Several surprising aspects of the skirmish over Old Towne redevelopment plans have emerged in recent days:

--A small band of citizens have organized to oppose the Town Center project as currently envisioned by the City Council. Their efforts might turn a supposed “done deal” into a classic David vs. Goliath confrontation, although Goliath still holds a clear advantage.

Opponents are heartened by a recent city survey showing slim public awareness of the Town Center plan. According to the survey, 51 percent of respondents had “not heard” of the plan, 33 percent knew “a little,” 10 percent “almost nothing” and 6 percent “a lot.”

Historical Conservancy President Ed Rakochy hopes to develop an informational and marketing strategy to inform, educate and engage the community. “Like Yogi Berra said, ‘It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,’” Rakochy writes on opponents’ http://www.ylforum.org/ Web site.

The city plans its own public relations push, including a colorful newsletter extolling the economic revitalization of the Main Street area as a gathering place for the community.

--Some business owners are worried about suggestions to “reposition” them to make way for more trendy shops. While the 1927 building housing Yorba Linda Hardware certainly will survive, its patrons might be ordering dinner rather than buying tools and toilet parts.

Other owners think the promise of more customers and greater visibility will result in higher rents; some longtime residents just don’t want to be forced out of the sleepy area; and others object to higher densities, low-income housing and ever-increasing traffic.

--The city’s role in using the threat of eminent domain to acquire property to sell to private developers doesn’t seem to faze the elected representatives of the county’s second-most Republican city (only slightly behind tiny Villa Park’s GOP majority).

In fact, usually conservative Councilman Jim Winder advocated a “loose construction” interpretation of the Constitution at the council’s Jan. 18 meeting. His suggestion that the definition of “public use” should change with the times is a standard liberal position.

A FINAL NOTE—Many Yorba Lindans express concerns about the campaign donations developers pass on to selected contenders for council and water board positions.

Usually, these donations flow to incumbents and candidates supported by incumbents and play a key role in helping recipients pay for expensive election-year mailings to voters.

Now, a major developer is honoring elected officials by donating money to charity.

Directors of the Yorba Linda Water District recently received a letter from the Make A Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles acknowledging a donation made in each of their names, sponsored by S and S Construction and Shapell Industries, Inc.