Savi Ranch expected to provide more housing in Yorba Linda; solar canopies for city parking lots

 

Savi Ranch properties are expected to play a larger role in Yorba Linda's new housing plan designed to meet a state mandate to create opportunities for 2,415 new housing units for a time period extending to 2029.

A previous effort to rezone sufficient land to meet the state requirement failed by a 75% “no” vote in November 2022. The new plan – anticipated for a November 2024 vote – adds eight acres in Savi Ranch to the rezoning plan for a 400% increase in the number of housing units.

In addition, Savi Ranch properties would see an increase in density from 35 units per acre to 60 units per acre to bring the Savi Ranch contribution to meet the mandate to 790 units from the previous 200 units. Housing heights in Savi Ranch would be limited to five stories.

The Savi Ranch recommendation came from a 17-member, city-selected working group of residents that met six times under the guidance of a city-hired consultant, the Irvine-based marketing, technology and public affairs company Tripepi Smith.

A key reason for recommending the large increase in housing units in Savi Ranch is to re-vitalize a region that has some retail establishments struggling to survive and other areas needing new investment.

According to a lengthy report detailing the working group's recommendations, the members “are excited at the possibility of a 'downtown' experience with mixed-use integrated into (the area), creating a retail and residence district that is similar” to other new development.

A major concern about the added housing numbers is increased traffic. The working group's report noted the city is in the design phase of traffic improvements in the area, but additional units could return traffic conditions “back to what they are, as of June 2023.”

However, the city traffic consultant has reported that 850 units could be added to Savi Ranch without signalized intersections exceeding their target level of service numbers.

The 275-page report with the working group proposals and backup material is available by clicking on item 15, then “attachment 1” on the July 18 council agenda on the city's website.

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Solar canopies will be installed in portions of the parking lots at the Community Center, Library and Arts Center and Black Gold Golf Club, with the energy savings expected to reach $2.7 million over a 20-year period.

Initial stages of the project will begin immediately, but completion is not anticipated until early to mid-2025, according to a presentation to the City Council by Assistant City Manager David Christian. Council approval was 4-1; with Janice Lin opposed due to an “industrial hard look.”

Forefront Power will finance, design, build, own, operate and maintain the structures, and the city will pay a flat rate for the solar energy generated. The canopies at the Community Center will be built only in the southern parking lot, not in the northern lot fronting Imperial Highway.