Yorba Linda Planning Commission approves homes for two parcels totaling 21.2 acres

 

Two parcels totaling 21.2 acres in Yorba Linda are scheduled to be developed with 112 new homes, according to unanimous actions taken by the city’s planning commissioners late last month.

Both parcels had been zoned under provisions of Measure JJ on the November 2024 ballot by a public vote exceeding 90% approval. A previous rezoning effort failed by a 75% “no” vote in 2022. A citizens committee worked to refine the measure, leading to the vote reversal.

The Measure JJ zoning led to state certification of the city’s general plan housing element to provide opportunities for 2,415 housing units to be built during the sixth-cycle 2021-29 planning period under the statewide Regional Housing Needs Allocation.

The state-mandated allocation determines how many new homes each city and county must plan for across different income levels. In Yorba Linda, major zoning changes must be approved by a public vote under provisions of Measure B that was passed in 2006.

The largest development will consist of 82 market-rate, two-story homes on 19.6 acres on the north side of Bastanchury Road and west of Plumosa Drive adjacent to Shinnyo-En Temple property. Developer is Irvine-based Shea Homes.

The site currently has two single-family homes, accessory structures, a “multitude of abandoned oil wells” and general open space, according to a description by Alexis Garcia, an associate planner in the city’s community development department.

The development will include 55 detached homes with 4-5 bedroom and 3-4 bathroom floor plans ranging from 3,346- to 3,900-square-feet on 48- by 100-foot lots. Twenty-seven cluster detached homes will be 4-5 bedrooms and 3-4 bathrooms ranging from 2,385- to 2,777-square feet on 45- by 62-foot lots.

The 22 old oil wells on the site will be abandoned or re-abandoned to current building code standards and any additional impacted soils on the site cleared up to residential standards before building permits are issued, noted Garcia.

The smaller development will consist of a 30-unit condominium community on 1.62 acres on the northeast corner of Plumosa and Lemon drives just north of the In-N-Out Burger location. Developer is Seal Beach-based Olson Urban Housing.

The site currently has a 1912 Craftsman-style single-family residence, garage, accessory structures and remnants of agricultural uses, according to a description by Eva Choi, a senior planner in the city’s community development department.

The 30 units will include 28 detached, three-story market-rate units and two attached, two-story units reserved for very low-income households. The latter units allow certain waivers under the state’s Density Bonus Law, including setbacks, building separation and other benefits.

The 28 units will be 3-bedroom (plus flex room), 2.5-bath with 1,808-square feet and a two-car garage. The two affordable units will be 1 bedroom, 1 bath with 625-square-feet and a one-car garage.

Yorba Linda city officials set dates for completion of Strategic Plan objectives for remainder of 2026

 Dates for achieving 29 objectives by the end of this year have been established by Yorba Linda city officials as part of a three-year Strategic Plan recently adopted by City Council members.

The objectives are placed into the categories of community engagement, economic vitality, financial stability, infrastructure investment, public safety and quality of life. An additional 11 objectives are listed for the first few months of 2027.

The schedule of objectives include major aims, such as implementing security recommendations at city facilities as outlined by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and more minor matters, such as recommending adjustments to the pickleball court reservation system at Las Palomas Park.

The security recommendations for city facilities will include funding in the next two fiscal year budgets and are identified as “ongoing” in the public safety category, while the pickleball court objective is listed in the quality of life category and is scheduled for completion by Dec. 15.

Other public safety objectives include conducting e-bike enforcement on city trails, delivering e-bike education at middle schools by Sept. 30, conducting active shooter response training at the library by Nov. 3 and supporting the Orange County Fire Authority replacement of Fire Station 10.

Infrastructure investment objectives are recommending strategies to address the rising costs of maintaining city streets in good condition by Dec. 15, completing Savi Ranch widening right-of-way acquisition by Dec. 31 and conducting video assessment of at-risk storm drains by Dec. 31.

Financial stability objectives include conducting a council workshop regarding strategies to address pension and retiree health benefit liabilities by Nov. 17 and recommending a budgeting system for the 2027-29 fiscal years by Dec. 31.

Economic vitality objectives include initiating a long-range plan and capital investment strategy for the city-owned Black Gold Golf Club by Dec. 1 and reviewing progress and options to support Main Street revitalization by Dec. 31.

Community engagement objectives include reviewing temporary commercial and campaign sign regulations and recommending improvements by Dec. 15 and transitioning to paperless city commission meetings (in progress).

Among objectives scheduled for completion next year are recommending a community satisfaction survey as part of the proposed budget for the 2027-29 fiscal years by May and transitioning to paperless council meetings by January.

Others include recommending a process for re-imaging Savi Ranch to ensure its ongoing economic vitality by March 30 and recommending an artificial intelligence plan check pilot program as part of the budget for the 2027-29 fiscal years.

Also, improving and accelerating the annual weed abatement process to ensure it is complete before the start of summer and recommending strategies to address non-compliant properties.