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Yorba Linda plan wins early OK
City Council votes for Town Center, on which residents
seek referendum.
By AMY ANGELO -
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER - July 16, 2005
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Excerpts:
YORBA LINDA – Conceptual approval of a $200 million
plan is expected to bring up to 200 new homes, specialty
shops, restaurants and a high-end grocer to Yorba Linda's
Town Center.
Next, developers and city officials need to work out economic
details and contend with a potential challenge from residents
seeking a referendum that would require community approval
for the project.
City Council members on Thursday unanimously endorsed the
latest version of the plan, presented by Michael Dieden,
co-managing partner of Old Town Yorba Linda Partners.
"The downtown design will also have a local indigenous
feel and will include complementary elements, like street
vegetable stands calling back to yesteryear," Dieden
said.
The project focuses on 20.5 acres at the city's core and
includes 120,000 square feet for shops and 60,000 square
feet for offices.
"This plan speaks to the heart, soul and authenticity
of our town," said Councilman Ken Ryan.
But a crowd of community members argued that the plan's
housing is too dense and would generate traffic.
About 100 people attended; about 20 expressed concerns or
opposition, to applause and cheers.
"Yorba Linda is not a starter community. I would love
to have my kids live here, but they have to pay their dues
like I did," resident Jan Horton said.
Horton belongs to Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible
Redevelopment group, which is trying to gather more than
4,000 signatures for the referendum requiring voters to approve
changes to the city's general plan.
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