City Council touched the local third rail

Not only did Yorba Linda’s City Council members touch the electrified third rail of local politics, they held onto it long enough to imperil their survival as elected representatives.

Nothing unites Yorba Lindans--whether they live on the east or west side of town or whether they are relative newcomers or crusty old-timers--like the low-density issue.

Many longtime residents helped establish Yorba Linda’s low-density heritage by working for the city’s 1967 incorporation and winning voter-approval for the 1972 General Plan.

And many who chose to live in Yorba Linda in the succeeding decades have cited the low-density residential development and remnants of a rural lifestyle as their reasons.

But the council’s proposed overhaul of commercial and residential development in the downtown area has rekindled grassroots efforts to maintain a low-density environment.

And apparently, the council’s abandonment of the recently adopted Town Center zoning ordinances, the breakup with Old Town developer Michael Dieden and resolution partially rescinding eminent domain authority won’t mollify hundreds of newly active, concerned citizens.

Participants at a recent community meeting sponsored by Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Redevelopment were outspokenly angry at council members’ actions, and many argued for the recall of two, three or all five members of the city’s governing body.

However, a recall would waste valuable resources that could be devoted to supporting the Right-to-Vote on Land Use Amendments initiative, which would require vote approval--not just a council nod--for making major changes to the city’s planning documents.

Unless the initiative passes, Yorba Lindans will be faced with the same old story of council campaign winners not delivering on their election-time low-density pledges.

Joining council members in opposition to the initiative is the powerful Building Industry Association, a lobbying group committed to defeating responsible limitations on growth.

A BIA lawyer argued against placing the initiative on the June 6 ballot at a recent court hearing, and the group is expected to pour plenty of cash into an anti-initiative campaign.

The council’s biggest mistake was signing the developer-funded letter to residents opposing a city-wide vote on the rushed-to-completion Old Town zoning ordinances, demonstrating a too-close relationship to the developers and other outside interests.

In the letter, council members called petitioners a “civic threat” and “a small group of naysayers” who have “recruited operatives to stir up opposition” to Town Center plans. Nevertheless, the hardy petitioners gathered 9,790 signatures in just 21 days.

Unfortunately, council members refuse to see that their reliance on campaign contributions from developers and others associated with the building industry, as well as individuals and firms with city contracts, often isolates them from the thinking of ordinary residents.

A FINAL NOTE--YLRRR leaders formed a committee to interview individuals who plan on seeking council seats now held by Ken Ryan and his 2002 running mate Keri Wilson in the November election.

Members are Community Foundation board president Bill Davis, Fairmont Hill board president Sharlene Dunn and longtime resident Tom Lynch. They’ll recommend two candidates for YLRRR endorsement based on criteria developed by the membership.