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, which was on the November 2024 ballot with the 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, which 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 square feet 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 square feet 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.
Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He regularly gives his take on local issues. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.