Brea : Plans for Carbon Canyon Could Boost Population

Brea’s population could increase by one-third if the City Council approves a Planning Commission recommendation to build up to 4,371 units in the Carbon Canyon area.

The commission Tuesday night approved 3,974 new units, with a 10% variance, or up to 4,371 units, in the area that lies along the junction of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

At present there are fewer than 300 homes in the area. City Planner James DeStefano said that commission members approved the development contingent on two conditions: that infrastructure costs, such as those made for streets, be paid by the developers, and that the city receive an annual report on the continuing development.

If the total area included in the approval is eventually developed, Brea’s population of about 33,000 could increase by one-third, based on three people per home, Brea Development Services Director William Kelley said Wednesday.

The development, covering about 1,800 acres, could cost the city about $2 million a year in government services, such as police and fire protection, Kelley said. The development would bring the city about $2.1 million a year in revenues after development is completed, he said.