Final steps outlined for Yorba Linda's annexation of Cielo Vista development on Murdock property

Yorba Linda's 20-square-mile area will grow by a bit more than one-half of 1% in a few weeks, when the final step to annex the once-controversial Cielo Vista development – approval by the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission – is anticipated.

The 84-acre planned unit development of large-sized, single-family residential parcels was approved for annexation to the city by the county Board of Supervisors Oct. 22, after a pre-annexation agreement with the city was adopted Oct. 1.

Located adjacent to the city's northeast boundary, the county land has been long known in Yorba Linda's planning documents as the “Murdock property.” Developer of the Cielo Vista portion of the property can build up to 80 homes, although a lower number is expected.

The homes will be situated on the southerly 42 acres of the property, with the other 42 acres designated as “permanent open space.” The lone vehicular entry point to the development is from Via del Agua, which becomes Stonehaven Drive in the area.

Opposition to the project by the Protect Our Homes and Hills organization was overcome by the developer addressing many of the non-profit group's concerns. Melanie Schlotterbeck, a consultant to the group, stated its “non-opposition position” in an Oct. 15 email to supervisors.

The pre-annexation agreement with Yorba Linda calls for Cielo Vista to pay the city a “public benefit contribution” of $16,176 per residence, or nearly $1.2 million, based on a minimum of 69 homes. The payment would increase up to the 80-home maximum.

The developer will pay another $250 for each home to the Yorba Linda Public Library, totaling a minimum of $17,250, based on 69 homes, and pay a share of the cost of the traffic signal at the Via del Agua intersection with Yorba Linda Boulevard with the Esperanza Hills project.

The annexation includes inclusion in the city's Landscape Maintenance and Assessment District, but it's unknown at this time if the property will be included in a local landscaping zone. Arterial landscaping, lighting and traffic signal zone payments by owners are required.

Cielo Vista will pay the city a $231,426 fee for the city's Master Plan of Drainage, dedicate trail alignments with the city's Master Plan of Trails, assume responsibility for maintenance of the road and bridge into the property and pay the costs related to processing and annexation.

A city agreement with the county calls for future property tax allocations from the development to be shared with the county on the basis of a 1985 city-county pact that portions income from the 1% basic levy at about 56% for the city and 44% for the county.

The county will transfer an estimated $531,000 in parks and recreation fees and 100% of the county public library fees from the project to the city for the city's parks, recreation and library programs.

The county will handle permits and inspections until the project is “fully improved.”