Silly
season signaled by pro developer flier’s stance
Jim Drummond Political Perspectives
Yorba Linda Star - June 23, 2005 -
Viewpoints Section
Click
here for complete text - requires
registration
Excerpts:
Mayor Keri Wilson is the first City Council member to raise
specific concerns about high-density housing plans in the
first phase of the Town Center redevelopment project.
Wilson’s comments came during the first in a series of community meetings
to review Town Center concepts as presented by Los Angeles-based Creative Housing
Associates.
She said the proposal for seven single-family homes and
from 80 to 100 condominium units on the 4.7-acre Lakeview
Avenue “strawberry fields” should
be “tweaked a bit.”
Of course, more than a bit of tweaking would be needed
to bring Old Town area housing plans in line with Yorba Linda’s longtime definition of high density – 10
units per acre.
But at least Wilson is making a gesture toward her strongly
worded 2002 campaign statement: “Our zoning has promoted low- and medium-density housing. We
cannot tolerate high-density housing or destruction of our open spaces.”
In response to Wilson’s comments – as well as widespread community
concerns – the Old Towne developers suggested at a community meeting Monday
reducing the number of strawberry fields houses from 107 to 64.
Naturally, residents must remain vigilant so that the developers
don’t
make up their lost density in the project’s future phases. Also, the lower
density levels need to be correctly specified when the council eventually adopts
the Town Center’s new planned development zoning regulations.
Historic buildings are worthy of preservation and imitation,
but our city’s
true historic identity is its low-density environment – the reason most
residents chose to live here.
Council members should preserve this heritage and not let
it slip away irretrievably.
Fortunately, a grass-roots group – Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible
Redevelopment – with more idealism than money is attempting to qualify
an initiative for the ballot giving Yorba Lindans the right to vote on major
changes to the city’s General Plan. But it’s sure to draw large-scale
developer opposition.
Community activist and initiative supporter Sue Fenwick
notes, “We will
naturally be outspent by those who haven’t contributed their volunteer
service or built our community in any other way … (but) we have to give
it a go regardless of the odds.”
And preservationist and initiative leader Ed Rakochy says, “Win or lose,
I know I will be able to sleep at night because our effort came from the heart
and not the bank account.”
Key initiative support comes from two former councilmen
who had solid low-density voting records.
Hank Wedaa says the initiative “is easily a winner” because residents
are tired of traffic. And Mark Schwing notes, “People will see through
the developer dollars.”
Wedaa concedes that Old Towne developers want to build
a nice city, but “their
perceptions differ from residents.”
Schwing says city leaders are wrong on Old Towne redevelopment,
saying, “They
do not have the public mandate they say they have.”
A FINAL NOTE –Although the “right-to-vote” initiative hasn’t
yet qualified for a ballot, we’ve already entered a political silly season
of wildly irresponsible campaign claims.
A flier from Concerned Yorba Linda Citizens says the initiative
will “inhibit
the ability of the fire department to fight fires and protect the homes of Yorba
Linda residents.”
Readers are invited to e-mail me examples of other outrageous
statements for future columns. Hint: council meetings present
especially fertile fields for reckless remarks.
Jim Drummond
is a longtime Yorba Linda resident.
JIM
DRUMMOND POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES
Yorba Linda Star - June 23, 2005
- Viewpoints Section
Click
here for complete text - requires
registration
|
