Town Center Redevelopment Project

By Ed Rakochy

We should take a long hard look at our Town Center redevelopment project and assess the real benefits to our community. In addition to the existing landscape and architectural plans, we need a marketing plan and an economic development plan before we spend millions of taxpayer dollars.

HIGH DENSITY HOUSING IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR YORBA LINDA

The City is currently negotiating with a developer who's proposing to build 321 housing units on only 11 acres of City owned property in the Town Center, at a housing density of 29 units/acre. Many of these units could be very-low and low-income affordable housing. The developer is also planning 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space for the same 11 acres.

I don't believe 29 units/acre is an appropriate housing density for Yorba Linda. This is not "gracious living." Let's give our Town Center a makeover and let's make it a true destination with a cultural or community facility downtown with a real public benefit, besides another mini-mall.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING PLANS

"High-density" housing and another mini-mall aren't my only concerns. Before we sign on the dotted line with a downtown developer, it's essential to have an economic development plan in place, outlining our "economic" goals for Town Center and how we intend to achieve them. This plan should include thorough market research indicating the types of housing, business and retail customers the downtown will attract and support.

A downtown marketing plan is also of the utmost importance. We should begin promoting our downtown NOW as a viable business, retail and recreational location, as well as begin scheduling more activities and events in our downtown to attract people from both in and outside the City.

Before City Council spends your tax dollars on a multi-million dollar project, you deserve more than just landscape and architectural renderings. You deserve to be a part of it and know its real benefits.