Yorba Linda's underutilized church properties considered for housing to meet state mandate

 

Underutilized land and parking areas on Yorba Linda's 25 religious properties have been examined for potential inclusion in the city's new housing plan to meet the state mandate to create opportunities for 2,415 new housing units by 2029.

In all, the 42 acres of vacant and underutilized land on the 25 properties could host 1,110 housing units, but just four of the properties have been recommended for inclusion in the new housing plan for 203 units by a 17-member working group of residents.

Voters are expected to weigh in on the new plan in November 2024. A previous plan to rezone enough properties to meet the requirement was defeated with 75% of voters opposed last year.

Possible inclusion of the four religious properties in a revised ballot measure, as well as a 400% increase in housing units proposed for Savi Ranch (described in my Aug. 3 column), was included in the working group's 275-page report.

According to the report, “(A)ffordable housing development can be an attractive option for congregations to off-load excess land, use proceeds to support existing ministries and live out their mission to love thy neighbor.”

The four sites recommended for using vacant or underutilized land for housing are Friendship Baptist Church on Bastanchury Road for 60 units on two acres; Richfield Community Church on Richfield Road for 55 units on 3.7 acres; Messiah Lutheran Church on Liverpool Street for 40 units on two acres; and Friends Church overflow parking on Mountain View Avenue for 48 units on 1.61 acres.

Religious properties recommended by the working group for removal from consideration were the Islamic Center on Eureka Avenue, Shinnyo-En USA on Bastanchury Road and Chabad Center on Yorba Linda Boulevard, which would have totaled 152 units on about five acres..

In addition, the 23-acre vacant parcel on Fairmont Boulevard owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could handle 230 units, but the recommendation was for 196 units.

The city hosted a virtual meeting in 2021 which was attended by some 20 representatives from 12 congregations. The participants “generally favored” creating a Congregational Land Overlay Zone for religious properties, noted the working group's report.

Currently, the city is developing standards to be used in the overlay zone. One key feature expected to be included is to allow congregations “to decrease on-site parking and remove nonessential buildings in order to accommodate housing,” the report stated.

While the working group report listed seven religious sites as “most viable for development,” all congregations in the city “will be eligible to take advantage of the additional development rights conferred by the overlay zone.”

The City Council voted 5-0 for staff “to consider and incorporate” the working group's findings and conclusions as staff prepares revisions to the housing plan for the November 2024 ballot.