Yorba Linda lists planning factors that might impact method of assigning state housing needs

Yorba Linda is one of 104 southern California jurisdictions to complete a survey of planning factors that will influence developing a methodology for assigning housing targets in the six-county area for the period starting June 30, 2021, and extending to Oct. 15, 2029.

Significantly, Yorba Linda's responses to the survey were more detailed than many of those provided by other jurisdictions, with the city's answers outlining several specific factors that apply to planning for current and future housing needs within the city's 20-square-mile area.

The survey was conducted by the Southern California Association of Governments, or SCAG, which is responsible for assigning housing needs numbers for each of the 197 jurisdictions in the panel's designated six-county territory.

SCAG has determined that a minimum of 1,344,740 total units among four income categories – very-low, low, moderate and above-moderate – will be required to meet the region's housing needs for the 2021-2029 period.

And SCAG is in the process of developing a methodology to assign the actual numbers to cities, with a draft proposal to be announced in February and final plan revealed in August.

Among planning factors identified for Yorba Linda:

--”The majority of land suitable for urban development (within city limits) has already been developed, and the city is nearing build-out conditions.” Some 15 vacant properties with less than 10 acres remain in the city “that have not been developed, entitled or are in the process of entitlement.”

The majority of these properties are undeveloped single-family parcels averaging about one-half acre in size. The only remaining large vacant property is a 26-acre parcel restricted by a development agreement for public use purposes.

--The city has the county's highest concentration of septic systems – nearly 30% of the county total. “Converting from septic to sewer is a significant cost that often prevents property owners

from subdividing, redeveloping or adding (accessory dwelling units) onto their properties.”

--Chino Hills State Park and Featherly Regional Park take up about 1,500 acres and 600 acres of open space within city limits, respectively, with state or county action needed “to unenroll this dedicated parkland from its restricted use.”

--The city “has significantly more housing units than jobs” – more than 23,000 housing units and approximately 17,400 jobs. “It is important to note that the city does not have any major job centers.”

--Since the city “has extremely limited public transit opportunities, the addition of more housing units (especially affordable housing units)” would likely increase vehicle miles traveled, potentially conflicting with other state regulations.

--The city has 330 acres of oil production, restricted by a state agency, with remediation possibly cost prohibitive. Also, many properties have slopes with a 15% or more grade, restricting development.

Yorba Linda City Council weights in during early stages of state's housing needs mandate--RHNA

Yorba Linda's city officials are wisely weighing in during the early stages of a forthcoming determination of the city's responsibilities to provide opportunities to meet housing needs under a state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment, known as RHNA (ree-na).

State law requires cities to plan for existing and future housing needs, with the Southern California Association of Governments, or SCAG, responsible for developing the actual numbers for 197 jurisdictions, including Yorba Linda, in six southern California counties.

A new RHNA planning period began last October and should conclude by October 2020 for the years 2021-2029, according to a recent report to the City Council from Nate Farnsworth, the city's principal planner.

A previous RHNA numbers assignment roiled local politics from 2008 until 2012, when city voters approved two measures to permit density increases on 11 properties, so that, along with existing zoning, the city would meet the RHNA mandate through 2021.

The matter was a key issue in three council elections, with several council members warning of a state take-over of the city's planning processes if RHNA requirements were not satisfied.

RNHA housing numbers assigned to Yorba Linda for 2008-2013 totaled 2,039 units, including 230 for extremely low income, 230 for very low income, 371 for low income, 412 for moderate income and 796 for above moderate income households.

The numbers for 2014-2021 totaled 669 units: 80 for extremely low income, 80 for very low income, 113 for low income, 126 for moderate income and 270 for above moderate income.

These numbers were considered a target for housing growth and not a building quota, so, if the city provided sufficient sites and did not impose constraints to development, the city was not penalized for falling short of the RHNA allocation.

Distribution of a draft of new RHNA numbers is expected by February 2020, with an appeals process running through July 2020 and a final proposal RHNA allocation ready August 2020.

However, right now, SCAG officials are developing a methodology for coming up with the actual numbers to be assigned to southern California cities. They've floated three options allowing for public comment.

These options have drawn concerns, since each option would mean a different set of future housing numbers for Yorba Linda. The city has responded with a nine-page letter, including four pages of attachments, outlining problems with each option.

The letter cites the need “to preserve the integrity of the local input process in establishing any RHNA methodology,” noting, “Ignoring local input would be disastrous to many jurisdictions,” since many cities might not meet state housing certification requirements.

Interestingly, the city's letter was addressed to Councilwoman Peggy Huang in her role as chair of SCAG's RHNA subcommittee. Each of the six SCAG counties have two members and one vote.

Yorba Linda High School begins second decade with high marks from students, staff, parents

Yorba Linda High School begins a second decade of serving the community this year with high marks from students, parents and staff for offering strong programs in a safe campus environment.

That's the gist of evaluations gleaned from a survey of stakeholders released in the closing days of the school's 10^th anniversary year. The survey is significant due to a high response rate from students (62%) and staff (72%), though returns from parents (21%) lagged.

Nine of 20 questions were common to all three groups, and 11 were unique to each group. The survey has become an annual tradition, with results closely analyzed by school leaders.

The “agree” and “strongly agree” responses to 19 questions far exceeded the “neutral” and “disagree” responses, with the highest percentage of “agrees” on a query about opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities (83% of students, 89% of parents and 97% of staff).

Other “agrees” from students and parents were about providing services for students' academic, personal or health problems (52% and 65%), and other “agrees” from staff were about rules and policies “fairly, consistently and effectively” enforced (70%). The latter had “agrees” from 55% of students and 68% of parents.

The campus as a “positive learning environment” had “agrees” from 61% of students, 78% of parents and 96% of staff, while students feeling “supported, welcomed and valued” by campus adults garnered “agrees” from 58% of students, 75% of parents and 96% of staff.

Students feeling safe at school had “agrees” from 71% of students, 84% of parents and 96% of staff.

The most “agrees” on a student question was for providing enough books, supplies and equipment (79%), while the lowest was for using the information “learned in one class to complete work in another class” (35%).

One interesting student question had 75% “agrees”: “I am often asked to show understanding in ways other than printed tests,” such as projects, presentations, group discussions, writing assignments and oral tests.

Highest parent “agrees” were for clearly communicating behavioral expectations and attendance policies (86%). Lowest were for “satisfaction” with teachers offering support to students to ensure academic success (64%).

Highest staff “agrees” were for school leaders making decisions and initiating programs to help all students achieve the school's mission (92%). Lowest were for “productive and meaningful” late-start days (54%).

Each group was asked what they “liked best” about the school, with oft-mentioned answers including overall quality of teaching, positive staff, spirit, activities and a safe, clean campus.

Among common “what would you improve” answers: More tutoring, counseling and assistance for struggling students; consistent application of school rules and policies, including dress code and bullying; and too much class paperwork and homework (from students and parents).

Released-time religious instruction volunteer teachers prepare mobile classrooms for 66th year at Yorba Linda, Placentia elementary schools

More than 50 volunteer teachers and aides are readying seven mobile classrooms – better known as “chapels on wheels” – to launch another year of released-time Christian education for the 21 elementary schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

Classes begin Oct. 7 for fourth and fifth grade students whose parents fill out the necessary forms to allow their children to participate in Bible-related activities. Instruction takes place during lunch hours in the mobile classrooms parked just off campus.

This marks the 66th year of the off-campus instruction in Yorba Linda, with the first classes at the Yorba Linda Elementary School in 1953. The program expanded as the Yorba Linda School District opened new campuses, and Placentia elementary schools were added after the Placentia and Yorba Linda districts merged in 1989.

Released-time instruction dates back to 1914 in Indiana. A 1952 Supreme Court decision allowed voluntary released-time religious instruction, as long as public funds or school classrooms were not used to support the activity. Today, an estimated 250,000 students participate in programs nationwide.

California law allows school boards to adopt policies permitting release of students to “receive moral and religious instruction at their respective places of worship or at other suitable...places away from school property.”

Longtime leader of the Placentia-Yorba Linda program is Cyndy Ricketson, who has helmed local released-time instruction for 26 years. She notes the program has grown from the initial single chapel serving a few schools to the seven chapels serving 21 schools today.

Average attendance is about 450 students each week, which ranges from 380 to 500 students depending on the time of year. The program operates from October to May, and includes sixth grade students on a space-available basis at school sites with that grade level.

Although not affiliated with the school district, state law allows teachers to distribute released-time consent forms to students at the beginning of the year. Parent approval is required for students to attend the off-campus classes once weekly during school lunch hours.

Lunch hours are about 45 minutes from bell-to-bell, with the volunteer teachers and aides meeting the students on campus and walking them to the mobile classrooms, usually parked in front of the schools.

Students eat their lunches in the mobile classrooms, which seat 28 students, two at each desk, “comfortably,” according to Ricketson. Students are escorted back to campus at the end of the released-time period.

Estimated cost to run the non-profit, 501c(3)-qualified program is $60 yearly per student, raised from individual donations and contributions from Calvary Church of East Anaheim. There is no charge for participating students and parents.

Other Orange County released-time programs are offered in Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana.