Courts, market support denser housing
A state Supreme Court decision and favorable market trends increase the likelihood that Yorba Linda will add a sizeable number of high-density multi-family residential units to the city’s housing stock within the next few years.
The court turned down an appeal by Irvine that contested a state mandate for 35,000 new housing units, including 21,000 in the “affordable” category, in that city by 2014. Yorba Linda’s City Council had filed a letter with the court supporting Irvine’s failed argument.
The decision let stand a Fourth District Court of Appeals ruling that courts don’t have jurisdiction over housing allocations issued by the Southern California Association of Governments.
Yorba Linda’s allocation is 2,039 units, including 831 lower- and 412 moderate-income units, with possible non-compliance consequences involving court sanctions, mandatory rezoning and lawsuits by affordable housing advocates, property owners and developers.
To meet this requirement, the council has identified 13 sites for potential rezoning to 10-, 20- and 30-units per acre to add up to 1,087 units for low- and moderate-income families.
After development, the units on these sites, 11 on the westside and two at Savi Ranch, would meet state requirements, when added to existing and currently planned housing.
A timeline submitted to the state Housing and Community Development Department lists an anticipated date of November 2011 for a vote on the rezoning. If some sites don’t win ballot approval, the city will propose alternative sites for rezoning and a second election.
The city’s report to the state also noted, “…market trends in Yorba Linda support development at the high end of the density range,” citing the apartments on Yorba Linda Boulevard across from McDonalds and the Presidential Walk homes near the post office.
In addition, city officials indicated they’ve contacted the owner of two sites totaling 12.8 acres at Bastanchury Road and Lakeview Avenue “and there appears to be interest in the increase in zoning density” to 10-units per acre on one and 30-units per acre on the other.
And the relocation of the St. Joseph’s medical facility to Bastanchury Road and Rose Drive will open the existing 4.08-acre center on Yorba Linda Boulevard and Prospect Avenue to a potential 122-unit multi-family development at 30 units per acre.
City officials also stated that early next year “the city will be contracting with an urban design firm to fine-tune…standards and establish multi-family design guidelines, while ensuring achievement of maximum permitted densities.”
In related action, the city will turn over 26 units in the 52-unit Evergreen Villas condo development at Yorba Linda Boulevard and Avocado Avenue to a management firm as housing for very low-income seniors. The units currently have a 40-person waiting list.
The court turned down an appeal by Irvine that contested a state mandate for 35,000 new housing units, including 21,000 in the “affordable” category, in that city by 2014. Yorba Linda’s City Council had filed a letter with the court supporting Irvine’s failed argument.
The decision let stand a Fourth District Court of Appeals ruling that courts don’t have jurisdiction over housing allocations issued by the Southern California Association of Governments.
Yorba Linda’s allocation is 2,039 units, including 831 lower- and 412 moderate-income units, with possible non-compliance consequences involving court sanctions, mandatory rezoning and lawsuits by affordable housing advocates, property owners and developers.
To meet this requirement, the council has identified 13 sites for potential rezoning to 10-, 20- and 30-units per acre to add up to 1,087 units for low- and moderate-income families.
After development, the units on these sites, 11 on the westside and two at Savi Ranch, would meet state requirements, when added to existing and currently planned housing.
A timeline submitted to the state Housing and Community Development Department lists an anticipated date of November 2011 for a vote on the rezoning. If some sites don’t win ballot approval, the city will propose alternative sites for rezoning and a second election.
The city’s report to the state also noted, “…market trends in Yorba Linda support development at the high end of the density range,” citing the apartments on Yorba Linda Boulevard across from McDonalds and the Presidential Walk homes near the post office.
In addition, city officials indicated they’ve contacted the owner of two sites totaling 12.8 acres at Bastanchury Road and Lakeview Avenue “and there appears to be interest in the increase in zoning density” to 10-units per acre on one and 30-units per acre on the other.
And the relocation of the St. Joseph’s medical facility to Bastanchury Road and Rose Drive will open the existing 4.08-acre center on Yorba Linda Boulevard and Prospect Avenue to a potential 122-unit multi-family development at 30 units per acre.
City officials also stated that early next year “the city will be contracting with an urban design firm to fine-tune…standards and establish multi-family design guidelines, while ensuring achievement of maximum permitted densities.”
In related action, the city will turn over 26 units in the 52-unit Evergreen Villas condo development at Yorba Linda Boulevard and Avocado Avenue to a management firm as housing for very low-income seniors. The units currently have a 40-person waiting list.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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