Affordable housing impacts on the community

Yorba Linda’s affordable housing plan, which includes identifying 14 properties totaling 53 acres for potential rezoning to allow 1,027 higher-density, multi-family housing units, will have a number of impacts on the community if the units are built as envisioned.

The impacts, including population growth and consequences for police, fire, school, park, water, sewer and trash services, are noted in a 64-page “Findings and Facts in Support of Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations” for the 2008-14 housing program.

Voters will cast “yes” or “no” votes on rezoning 11 of the properties next November, but even if a majority opposes the higher densities, court decisions and state law might allow low-income units to be built by assigning other entities to take over city planning tasks.

Here’s a look at some of the impacts from 1,027 new units, as stated in the report compiled by a city-hired consultant and presented to the City Council last month:

--An increase in population of 3,500 persons or a net increase of about 3,460, since the 14 properties have 13 single-family homes with about 40 current occupants. A census report lists the city’s 2010 population as 64,234, but the city website claims “over 68,000” now.

The Southern California Association of Governments has projected the city population to grow by some 5,700 persons over the next decade and by about 7,500 between now and 2035, so the new housing “would not induce substantial population growth in the area.”

--Although 3,460 new residents would result in more police service calls and public interaction, the present officer-to-population ratio of .71 per 1,000 would drop by less than one percent and “would not have a negative impact on police protection services.”

Also, the added residents would reduce the current firefighter-to-population ratio of .89 per 1,000 by less than one percent. But the Fire Authority indicated the new units “will have a direct impact upon fire protection services,” as Station 10 needs “a new facility.”

Station 10, on Lemon Drive in Old Town, closest to many of the potential new units, might benefit from a mitigation measure requiring developers to supply “pro-rata fair-share funding” for improvements for adequate fire facilities, equipment and personnel.

--The 847 units allowed on 12 west-end properties would generate an estimated 364 students for the Placentia-Yorba Linda school district, including 164 elementary, 94 middle and 106 high school students.

The 180 units allowed on two eastside parcels in Savi Ranch would bring approximately 40 students to the Orange school district, including 28 elementary, five middle and eight high school students.

Since some schools are now operating over capacity, new students “would result in significant impacts to schools,” but mitigated by developer-paid school-impact fees.

--The parkland-to-resident ratio would remain nearly the same, about two acres per 1,000 residents, already below the city’s four acres-per-1,000 standard; water use would rise an estimated 493,687 gallons per day, already “accounted for” in Yorba Linda Water District plans; and adequate capacity exists for an estimated extra 293,500 gallons of sewage and 13,526 pounds of solid waste daily, the report noted.