Council Special Meeting - February 24, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency convened at 6:36 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AGENDA ITEM
1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
This workshop focused on Yorba Linda’s economic development opportunities, strategic roles of the city, current programs, challenges, and recommendations to foster sustainable growth. The discussions built upon a prior workshop held in June 2025, with an overview of State and local economic retail and sales tax, emphasizing major economic centers, SWOT analysis, programs and partnerships.
Staff provided an update on major opportunity areas like Savi Ranch, Downtown District, and the La Palma Corridor. Existing Programs and Successes were identified as JLL, Business Concierge services, best practice training in partnership with Community Development Department, collaboration with the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Business Walkabouts to engage local businesses, the Main Street Working Group and Shop, Dine, Support initiatives.
Recommendations for Future Economic Development
included
1. Implement strategic investments to build on existing programs.
A. Executive-level position focused on economic development B. Economic Development Strategy & Goals
• Creating the vision for Savi Ranch 2.0
• Support for a unified downtown district
• Leveraging unique assets such as Black Gold and RNPL
• Gap analysis to identify missing components and community support
2. Enhance tactical initiatives by:
A. Establishing a City Council economic development ad hoc subcommittee B. Market-building efforts with the Chamber of Commerce and shopping centers C. Continue to launch our partnership with SBDC
D. Increase competitiveness, reduce risk, and attract investments by streamlining regulations and processes
3. Provide regular progress reports to the City Council Next Steps were identified as recruitment for an Economic Development executive, create the Economic Development subcommittee and develop a schedule and identify resources required for Yorba Linda Small Business University, marketing partnerships and regulatory review.
Savi Ranch was identified as a major opportunity area, with concerns about declining conditions and the need for coordinated leadership. A discussion ensued regarding expediting the Savi Ranch concerns and hiring a consultant, potentially somebody from JLL as soon as possible.
Council direction focused on identifying a consultant to begin immediately tackling, some of the topics that came up regarding Savi Ranch, creating the Economic Development subcommittee to address immediate issues at Savi Ranch including short-term impact strategies, resource allocation, and defining the scope of work for improvements such as signage, lighting, landscaping, and code enforcement. The goal is to demonstrate the City’s seriousness regarding Savi Ranch and to develop a plan that balances short-term pain points with long-term visioning.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – ON THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. to the next City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency Joint meeting on March 3, 2026.