Council Meeting - March 03, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency convened at 5:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.
ROLL CALL
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (2 Cases)
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) (1 case)
Name of Case: Yorba Canyon, LLC v. City of Yorba Linda
Case Number: 30-2025-01497724-CU-WM-CXC, Superior Court, County of Orange
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None.
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened into Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
RECESS
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency, Yorba Linda Housing Authority and Yorba Linda Municipal Financing Authority reconvened at 6:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Richard de Brujin
INVOCATION
Pastor Joshua Holiday, Calvary Chapel of Yorba Linda
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Todd Litfin said there was no reportable action on the items discussed in Closed Session.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR OR ITEMS NOT ON THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA Don Robinson, resident, expressed concerns with Council.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by
Lim
Seconded by
Huang
Approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES (5)
Rodriguez, Campbell, Huang, Singh, and Lim
CARRIED (5 to 0)
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA Waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
2. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CHECK REGISTER – MARCH 3, 2026
1. AP Check Register 3-3-26 - CC-FIN-26-007.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - AP Check Register 3-3-26.pdf
Receive and file the accounts payable check register and wire transfer report dated March 3, 2026, in the amount of $2,488,488.12.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2026 CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC_Feb17_2026 - English.pdf
Approve the minutes of the February 17, 2026 City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting.
4. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-5973 AUTHORIZING THE REQUEST FOR DELAY OF MEASURE M2 FUNDS FOR THE SAVI RANCH PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS
1. CTFP Delay Request Savi Ranch Widening Construction - CC-PW-26-012.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 2026-5973 Delay CTFP.pdf Adopt Resolution No. 2026-5973 authorizing a request to delay Measure M2 Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program construction funds for the Savi Ranch Parkway Improvements project.
5. REPORTS OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTIONS FROM THEIR LAST MEETING
1. Planning Comm. Recap 2-25-26.pdf
Receive and file this report.
6. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND AGENCY REPORTS
1. Council Committee and Agency Reports - CC-ADM-26-007.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Reports from CC Organizations.pdf
Receive and file this report.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT/MAYOR’S REPORT/MATTERS PRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBERS/OTHER AGENCY REPORTS WAS TAKEN AT THIS TIME BUT PRESENTED IN ITS RESPECTIVE PLACE ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING
7. UPHOLD PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 19389 – CITY VENTURES
1. Continued Appeal CUP 2025-10 DR 2025-02 and TTM 19389 City Ventures - CC-CD-26-004.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Applicant Response to City Council Requests.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Updated Plans dated 2-26-26.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Applicant Notes from Neighbor Meetings.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Applicant Response to Public Comments dated 2-24-26.pdf
6. Attachment 5 - Supplemental Traffic Analyses dated 2-25-26.pdf
7. Attachment 6 - Supplemental Traffic Analysis Appendix.pdf
8. Attachment 7 - Parking Management Plan dated 2-23-26.pdf
9. Attachment 8 - Updated CEQA Consistency Analysis Feb 2026.pdf
10. Attachment 9 - Photometric Plan.pdf
11. Attachment 10 - Alternative Site Design Analysis.pdf
12. Attachment 11 - Northern Property Line Section Rendering dated 1-30-26.pdf
13. Attachment 12- Tentative TM 19389 Appeal Resolution 2026-5974.pdf
14. Attachment 13 - Joint Traffic and Planning Comm. Staff Report 11-12-25.pdf
15. Attachment 14 - Joint Traffic and PC Minutes 11-12-25.pdf
16. Attachment 15 - Continuation Memo for Planning Comm. 12-10-25.pdf
17. Attachment 16 - Planning Comm. Mtg Minutes 12-10-25.pdf
18. Attachment 17 - Tentative TM 19389 Appeal Application 12-18-25.pdf
19. Attachment 18 - City Council Staff Report (without attachments) 2-3-26.pdf
20. Attachment 19 - Public Correspondence Since 2-3-26.pdf a. Open Public Hearing - Mayor Carlos Rodriguez opened the public hearing. b. Staff Report
Community Development Director Nate Farnsworth presented a PowerPoint outlining the City Council’s requests from the February 3 meeting and provided an overview of applicable State housing laws. He highlighted the Housing Accountability Act, noting it limits review of housing developments to five hearings and restricts the City’s ability to deny a project or reduce its density, with denial likely resulting in legal challenges. He also discussed State Density Bonus Law, explaining that the project qualifies for a 22.5% density bonus, one incentive/concession, and waivers from certain local development standards.
Director Farnsworth outlined several measures the applicant has undertaken beyond legal requirements to address Council and community concerns. He emphasized the legal risks associated with denying the project and noted that if the project were denied and successfully challenged, it could ultimately be approved without the applicant’s proposed modifications. He also stated that traffic and safety concerns analyzed in the record do not meet the legal threshold for denial, and that subjective concerns regarding neighborhood character or adjacency to the Chabad cannot serve as a basis for denial. Staff recommended upholding the Planning Commission’s approval, which also includes a request to demolish the existing single-family home at 19081 Yorba Linda Boulevard.
Council and staff discussed community questions regarding traffic, parking, potential street overflow, enforcement, CC&Rs, and the impacts of State Density Bonus Law on local control. c. Take Testimony
1.) Appellant
Gary Devian, the appellant, raised concerns regarding equestrian safety along the trail adjacent to the project, noting the proposed 10-foot setback on the east side of the development. He stated the setback may not provide sufficient safety for riders and suggested a 25-foot setback.
James Hillquist, who conducted a parking demand study, presented a PowerPoint with findings regarding parking methodology, ITE industry standards, the applicant’s comparable projects in Upland and Artesia, potential overflow parking options, and ADA considerations.
2.) Project Applicant
Alex Rounaghi, Senior Development Manager for City Ventures, LLC, presented a PowerPoint highlighting parking management strategies, additional traffic study and multimodal analysis, and a 25% increase to the surety bond, to $62,000. He also spoke about additional stakeholder engagement since the February 3rd meeting, and outlined how the project team addressed concerns raised by the Council and the Chabad.
3.) Public Comment
The following residents expressed concerns regarding the project description, parking, traffic and safety, the proposed 12-foot wall, a potential gate around the Chabad property, and Measure JJ: Lee Burrows, Matthew Vawter, Jeff Goodman, Suzanne Miller, Steve Thompson, Nancy Pfeifer, Naomi Blesofsky, Peter Meng, Rabbi Levy Blesofsky, and John DeLap, RECESS
Mayor called recess at 8:31p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Public comment continued with Rabbi David Eliezrie, who reiterated concerns that impacts to the Chabad property had not been fully addressed and emphasized the need for additional barriers and landscaping.
4.) Rebuttal by Applicant, If Required
Mr. Rounaghi responded to Rabbi Eliezrie’s comments, noting the applicant increased the wall height from 10 to 12 feet and added clerestory windows to address line-of-sight concerns. He stated the project team believes these changes address the spirit of the concerns raised. d. Close Public Hearing - Mayor Rodriguez closed the public hearing. e. Make Determination
Council discussed the applicant’s efforts to address concerns raised by the Chabad, including wall height, window placement, parking, ADA compliance, Measure JJ, State housing laws, and HOA CC&Rs. City Attorney Litfin advised that the City had received correspondence from affordable housing organizations indicating the hearing could be considered the fifth under the Housing Accountability Act, and that proceeding beyond this meeting could expose the City to legal risk. Additional discussion included increasing the surety bond, potential security measures for the Chabad, and Conditions of Approval 158 and 97.
Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Huang moved to approve the project with the conditions contained in Exhibit A of Attachment 12, along with the following additional conditions: construction of a 12-foot wall, measured from the applicant’s side; installation of clerestory windows; continued good-faith collaboration with the Chabad on landscaping for privacy; increasing the surety bond to $75,000; and a disclosure to future residents that parking on private property, including the Chabad property, is prohibited and may violate the California Vehicle Code. Council also directed removal of the trash enclosure to provide two additional parking spaces, consistent with the applicant’s revised site plan, and approved a demolition permit for the existing single-family home located at 19081 Yorba Linda Boulevard.
Moved by
Huang
Seconded by
Campbell
1.) Uphold the Planning Commission’s approval of Tentative Tract Map 19389 and adopt Resolution No. 2026-5974 along with the additional conditions; and 2.) Approve a demolition permit for the existing single-family home located at 19081 Yorba Linda Boulevard.
AYES (4)
Rodriguez, Campbell, Huang, and Lim
NOES (1)
Singh
CARRIED (4 to 1)
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT/MAYOR’S REPORT/MATTERS PRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBERS/ OTHER AGENCY REPORTS City Manager Peter Grant noted that public hearings are noticed for 7:00 p.m., which prevents the Council from opening them earlier. As the meeting was running ahead of schedule, he indicated there may be a brief recess until 7:00 p.m., if needed. He reported that the City and Yorba Linda Water District held a joint meeting earlier in the week and provided a brief update. He also shared that he and Mayor Rodriguez met with the new Superintendent of the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District to discuss partnership opportunities, particularly regarding e-bike safety. Additionally, he announced that the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with the Placentia Chamber of Commerce, will host its annual Principal for a Day on Wednesday, March 18. He concluded by highlighting the America 250 exhibition and the USA 250 Concert Series with Concordia University Irvine at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on March 7 and March 15.
Councilwoman Tara Campbell shared that she attended a memorial service for Roslyn Brownie, mother of former Councilwoman Beth Haney, who passed away on February 23 at the age of 92, and requested that the meeting be adjourned in her honor.
Councilman Shivinder Singh asked Chief of Police Services Captain De Anne Wigginton for an update on e-bike enforcement. Captain Wigginton reported that Police Services continues working with the school district to raise awareness and will host several community information meetings. Deputies are also continuing enforcement efforts. She noted that Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer filed child endangerment charges earlier in the day against a Yorba Linda parent for modifying a 12-year-old child’s e-bike, resulting in him being critically injured. In response to Councilman Singh’s question about complaints from the equestrian community, Captain Wigginton said deputies receive daily complaints from pedestrians, parents, equestrians, and others. She added that deputies typically do not pursue riders due to safety considerations and expressed concern about instances in which young riders flee from deputies, noting that parents are welcome to visit her office to view body camera footage illustrating these incidents.
Councilwoman Janice Lim encouraged residents to shop, dine, and support local businesses. She announced the ribbon-cutting for Barista’s Kitchen on March 12 and shared that the Orange County Fire Authority will host an Open House on Saturday, March 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1 Fire Authority Road in Irvine. She also announced the Pat Nixon Day of Service on Monday, March 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming Principal for a Day event.
Mayor Pro Tem Huang shared that the Yorba Linda Water District is offering facility tours and encouraged residents to attend to learn how water is delivered and why water rates are proposed to increase. She noted that the City and District held a joint meeting earlier in the week and discussed the State’s water conservation requirements, including the elimination of turf in HOAs and commercial properties by 2029.
Mayor Rodriguez thanked Mayor Pro Tem Huang for highlighting the upcoming Yorba Linda Water District tours and asked the City Attorney to reiterate that the City is not involved in water rate increases. City Attorney Litfin confirmed that the District is a separate entity.
Mayor Rodriguez announced the Thank-A-Hero Letter Campaign coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Department, inviting community members to write notes of appreciation to veterans and active-duty service members. He explained that the letters are sent to the nonprofit A Million Thanks, which supports the military community. He also highlighted the City’s Ride Ready Yorba Linda Electric Bicycles webpage, a resource hub with safety information and details on upcoming educational meetings. The Council continued discussing e-bike safety and the City’s recently adopted e-bike ordinance until 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the meeting in honor of Roslyn Brownie at 10:19 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting on March 17, 2026.