Yorba Linda City Council supports initiative to maintain control of local zoning, land use

 Yorba Linda's City Council has taken another step in the effort to maintain local control over the city's zoning and land use authority in the face of state legislation severely curtailing the city's ability to establish and enforce standards in these areas.

The council has adopted a resolution endorsing a ballot initiative for a future statewide election that would, according to its title, “make zoning and land use community affairs, and not of state interest.”

The initiative, if adopted by state voters, also would retain local laws, such as Yorba Linda's 2006 Measure B “right to vote” ordinance, which requires a public vote on major changes to city planning documents.

The resolution says recent state bills “usurp the authority of local jurisdictions to determine for themselves the land use policies and practices that best suit each city and its residents and instead impose 'one-size-fits-all' mandates that do not take into account the unique needs and differences of local jurisdictions....”

The resolution adds, “The majority of these bills do not provide any incentives or requirements for low-income affordable or moderate-income workforce housing” but will lay out new policies that will “incentivize speculation and result in the addition of market-rate or luxury housing....”

It concludes by supporting the initiative “to ensure that zoning and land use authority rests with the local government entities that represent the communities in which the residents reside, and to allow local government to participate in solving our affordable housing crisis through solutions that effectively address the unique needs and conditions of each local community.”

The initiative, which Yorba Linda Mayor Peggy Huang helped write with other contributors, and which would require an extensive statewide signature drive in order to appear on a future state ballot, calls for land use decisions to be made by local officials.

Local officials, not the state legislature, according to the initiative, can “ensure that the specific, unique characteristics, constraints and needs” of cities “are properly analyzed and addressed.”

The initiative would add to the state constitution provisos that county and city ordinances and regulations “shall prevail over a conflicting state statue.” And no voter-approved local initiative regulating land use “shall be overturned or otherwise nullified by any legislative body.”

Previously, the council has adopted resolutions opposing individual state legislative bills, which would restrict city rules regarding housing units, lot size, parking and other development issues.

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Ninety years ago this week, eight volunteer firefighters began duties in Yorba Linda, using a 1931 Model A Ford truck. Longest serving was Fred Clodt, who retired in 1975. Through the years, volunteers were summoned by bell, whistle and horn. They won “best in state” in 1961.

Yorba Linda names Citizen of the Year; city turns down Costco recycle station due to location

 

Two disparate items merit attention this week: Yorba Linda city officials have chosen a Citizen of the Year for 2021 and denied a permit to locate a recycling center at Costco in Savi Ramch.

Seventeen-year resident Kristen You is the 18^th person to be recognized as the city's Citizen of the Year for her extensive community involvement, particularly in education, with her volunteer service for students and staff in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

You has been honored with the PTSA's honorary service awards at Bryant Ranch Elementary, Travis Ranch Middle and Yorba Linda High schools, and in her term as president, the Mustang PTSA was recognized as Outstanding Secondary PTSA in Orange County.

In addition, You has helped grow Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters in six high schools and has organized school Bible studies and various prayer groups. She's twice been honored with the district's prestigious Superintendent's Award.

Citizen of the Year awards are made by a five-member committee consisting of the mayor and one member each from the city's four commissions, planning, parks and recreation, library and traffic. Nominations begin in July of each year, with the award made in late October.

Criteria includes participation “in humanitarian/volunteer activities that make a difference in ...Yorba Linda and/or the community at large. Special consideration will be given to nominees whose volunteer work directly benefits Yorba Linda and/or brings significant recognition to the city.”

A city Planning Commission action to deny a permit to operate a recycling station in the front parking lot of Costco in Savi Ranch has been upheld by the City Council after back-and-forth communication among city officials, Costco management and Savi Ranch Property Holdings.

The key dispute centered on the location of the operation, which would consist of a self-enclosed, transportable unit and staging area that would take up several parking spaces.

The city suggested a location to the rear of Costco “to minimize impacts to aesthetics, customer parking and parking lot circulation.” Costco and facility operator Sunset Recycling preferred the front location or one near the fuel pumps.

After weeks of conversations and letters on the matter, the city, Costco and Sunset Recycling appeared to agree to a space in the back of the Costco building, with signage that would alert customers to the recycle location.

But then Savi Ranch Property Holdings entered the picture with a letter stating their opposition to a front or rear location and expressing their belief that the operation should be placed on the west side of the building near the gas pumps, a location the council was unwilling to accept.

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Veterans Day note: The public is invited to the short flag lowering ceremony that is held every Thursday at 4:15 p.m. at the city veterans memorial at Veterans Park on Valley View Avenue.